Best Colleges in Connecticut for Associate, Bachelor’s & Master’s

Connecticut College Guide – What You Need to Know

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Connecticut is a small state that packs a huge academic punch. The state is home to a top Ivy League university but also a strong state university system, including community colleges, and online academic opportunities. You'll also find smaller four-year liberal arts institutions and vocational/technical institutions as well. If you live in Connecticut, there's no need to travel to New York or any other state to pursue a bachelor's degree.

In fact, most of the best colleges and universities in Connecticut offer online bachelor's degrees, as well as associate's and certificate programs in various majors. With the online option, you can schedule classes to best suit your life, making room for a job, family, and even friends.

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What are the most popular bachelor's degrees offered in Connecticut?

Your Connecticut bachelor's degree is sure to launch a career that is rewarding in many ways. You'll receive deep satisfaction from pursuing projects that mean something to you, but you'll also receive a healthy paycheck. All the most popular bachelor's degrees and certificate programs are offered in Connecticut, putting you at the vanguard of the economy. You will find online and on-campus degrees in health sciences, business, STEM, and more. Whether you are a first-year student coming fresh from high school or an experienced worker, you can graduate with one of these popular bachelor's degrees:

The top degrees in Connecticut include:

Education Level & National Average Median Compensation

NO FORMAL EDUCATION HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA ASSOCIATE DEGREE BACHELOR’S DEGREE MASTER’S DEGREE DOCTORAL DEGREE
$30,784* $38,792* $46,124** $64,896* $77,844* $96,772*
*National Average Earnings by Degree Level
delaware-National-Average-earning-by-educational-attainment

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Most Popular Degrees and Careers in Connecticut

Though the analysts and economic forecasters have been indicating slow movement in the Connecticut economy, there are still opportunities for you in the wider region. Given Connecticut's rather small size and ample access to transportation, you can possibly take your degree and find work in New York City, Boston, or Providence. When you bring your earnings home, you can provide extra stimulus for the state.

That said, Connecticut continues its legacy as a driver in the insurance and financial services market. There is also economic strength in healthcare, digital media, manufacturing, and tourism/entertainment. Thus, you might focus your studies on finance, business, healthcare related fields, or information technology.

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Top Healthcare Admin Careers and Salaries

Hospital Administrator:
As a hospital administrator, you might oversee a specific ward of a hospital, or you might be in charge of an entire organization. This position is much like that of a manager in other industries, but your education in healthcare administration will provide you with healthcare-specific knowledge.

Medical Equipment Sales Representative: Full knowledge of the healthcare industry will make you a dynamite salesman for a medical equipment manufacturer. Your education will enable you to speak the language of the healthcare industry.

Healthcare Informatics:
The healthcare industry, like many others, makes important decisions based on the information stored in its databases. Healthcare Informatics professionals help health systems to sort, store, and analyze that data so as to better serve patients.

Healthcare Finance:
Every sort of business runs on its finances and healthcare is no different.

Insurance Underwriter:
A keen understanding of the healthcare industry will facilitate your career in insurance underwriting. You could specialize in Professional Liability insurance for doctors, nurses, and other care providers. You might even underwrite a policy for an entire hospital.

Healthcare Administration:
The healthcare field is a rapidly growing industry and there is a high demand for professional administrators. The healthcare administration field includes an array of job duties such as strategic planning, budgeting, regulatory compliance, and organizational development.

Healthcare Manager

CAREER NAME CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AVERAGE ANNUAL WAGE
Hospital Administrator 6,270 $87,600
Medical Equipment Sales Representative 3,120 $59,500
Healthcare Informatics 2,580 $68,400
Healthcare Finance 17,790 $53,600
Insurance Underwriter 3,100 $57,300

Best Connecticut Schools for Health Administration

  • Albertus Magnus College
  • University of Connecticut
  • Charter Oak State College
  • University of New Haven
  • Quinnipiac University

Top Business Careers and Salaries

Marketing Manager:
In this position, you will oversee a team of professionals who seek to promote the goods and services of your firm. You will be responsible for studying the market through focus groups, surveys, and personal interviews, among other approaches.

Financial Analyst:
Financial Analysis is one of the most important parts of a business' functioning. With a bachelor's degree in business, your duties could include making investment decisions, managing assets, or analyzing comparable companies in order to determine which is a suitable candidate for a merger or acquisition.

Accountant:
Accountants can provide audits of a company's operations, prepare tax documents for individuals or corporations, and even help investigate white collar crime.

Logistics:
Organizing how packages move from place to place is a vital part of business. While sometimes called Supply Chain Management, this is a highly detailed field that asks you to analyze countless variables that impact your shipments: weather, weight, mode of transportation, and even container size.

Management Information Systems:
This is a relatively new field in the world of business that studies how people, data, and technology interact. You might help design apps for professionals who do a lot of traveling and thus need easily accessible, pertinent data on their mobile devices. Your job would be to streamline what data shows on an app and devise tools for sorting that data as needed by the professional.

Business Administrators

Business Managers

Entrepreneur

General Business

Human Resources Manager

Project Manager

Organizational Leadership Manager

CAREER NAME CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY
Marketing Manager 5,680 $65,900
Financial Analyst 7,410 $61,400
Accountant 15,450 $51,600
Logistics 1,150 $66,600
Management Information Systems 9,360 $62,400

Best Connecticut Schools for Business

  • Yale University
  • Fairfield University
  • Quinnipiac University
  • University of Connecticut

Top Accounting Careers and Salaries

Forensic Accountant:
When a white-collar criminal embezzles money or hides funds offshore, law enforcement needs specialized accountants to assess the nature of that crime. As a forensic accountant, you will be tasked with determining where funds were stored, how they were taken, etc.

Financial Adviser:
Individuals and organizations need financial advisers to help them maintain and build wealth. Your accounting skills will help clients make the best decisions with regards to their assets and liabilities.

Risk Management:
You will need to quantify the risks associated with your firm's daily operations. You will assess risk from the operational, legal, financial, technological, and asset-related points of view.

Tax Accountant:
Your employers and/or clients will rely on you to prepare their tax documents with utmost accuracy. You'll need up-to-date knowledge of the tax code so that you can find the largest deductions and provide the very best advice to the client.

Bookkeeper:
Bookkeepers are vital to any business operation. In this profession, you will record all financial transactions with pinpoint accuracy so that a CPA can review them in an audit.

CAREER NAME CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY
Forensic Accountant 15,450 $69,300
Financial Adviser 4,250 $59,700
Risk Management 17,790 $87,500
Tax Accountant 15,450 $57,400
Bookkeeper 17,050 $43,500

Best Connecticut Schools for Accounting

  • Yale University
  • Fairfield University
  • Quinnipiac University
  • University of Connecticut

Top Health Sciences Careers and Salaries

Occupational Therapist:
In your work, you will assist a wide range of patients as they strive to overcome their particular difficulties. Some may be elderly and coping with dementia, other may be teenagers with mental health issues.

Physical Therapist:
These therapists work with patients who seek to improve their mobility after an injury or disease has hindered their movement. You might help patients re-learn how to walk, or how to effectively use prosthetic limbs.

Medical Assistant:
Medical assistants both help doctors with examinations and work in the office with medical records, scheduling, and more. Your overall goal will be the best outcomes for patients.

Radiology Technician:
These days, diagnoses rely more and more on radiological examinations to determine the root of discomfort or disease. Your training will enable you to perform these exams, whether with an MRI machine or more traditional X-Rays.

Pharmacy Technician:
Nearly everyone needs a prescription at some point. When you retrieve your medications, a Pharmacy Technician probably discusses the medications with you.

CAREER NAME CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY
Occupational Therapist 2,570 $66,600
Physical Therapist 3,930 $71,500
Medical Assistant 8,140 $34,300
Radiology Technician 2,280 $48,100
Pharmacy Technician 3,870 $35,600

Best Connecticut Schools for Health Sciences

  • University of Connecticut
  • University of New Haven
  • Fairfield University
  • University of Connecticut - Stamford

Top Engineering Careers and Salaries

Civil Engineer:
As critical infrastructure ages, and as population growth demands innovation in cities and buildings, civil engineers must be there to solve those evolving problems.

Systems Engineer:
All engineers work with complex systems, but Systems Engineers work primarily with computer systems. Where most computer professionals work either with software or hardware, you will understand how to design a hardware system to operate the software systems that must utilize those circuit boards, processors, and memory banks.

CAD Technician:
CAD Technicians work with engineers and architects to create the designs and plans that are vital to all construction. To become a CAD Technician, you need an associate degree, CAD experience, and a fine attention to details.

Industrial Engineer:
You might work in a factory to ensure that the human employees work well with the machinery, or you might put together a system for trash collection in a major city. Where there are moving parts, people, and desired outputs, you will be there.

Electrical Engineer:
These engineers are concerned with the flow of information and electrons in a system. You might work on cellphone networks or the power grid. Wherever there is a need to create an electrical system, you can design the best system for the job.

Software Engineer

CAREER NAME CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY
Civil Engineer 3,720 $67,100
Systems Engineer 690 $80,500
CAD Technician 680 $47,500
Health Educators 590 $46,200
Electrical Engineer 2,570 $76,400

Best Connecticut Schools for Engineering

  • Yale University
  • University of Connecticut
  • University of Connecticut – Waterbury
  • Goodwin College

Additional Careers to Learn More About:

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The top occupations with the highest forecasted growth rate in Connecticut

Occupation Growth Rate Salary 2024 Job Estimate
Language Translator +68% $67,510 2,410
Miner +65% $47,000 2,700
Personal Care Assistant +62% $24,000 32,110
Information security Analyst +53% $102,300 2,320
Physician Assistant +50% $100,100 3,180
Surgical Technician +45% $49,720 2,150
Nurse Practitioner +43% $107,600 2,990
Operations analyst +41% $87,300 1,240

Best Associate Degrees in Connecticut

Best Associate Degrees in Connecticut
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Getting an associate degree is a gateway to earning your bachelor's degree and beyond. Associate programs in the state of Connecticut include criminal justice, early childhood inclusive education, art therapy, graphic design, medical assisting, and much more for students who are looking to get into the work force right away. If you're interested in a two-year degree, you might be considering Manchester Community College, Middlesex Community College, or Capital Community College. Check out our full list of the best colleges offering associate degrees in the state to help you make the best decision for you.

Asnuntuck Community College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
1,600		 Graduation Rate
35%		 Net Price
$7,455 		Grads Salary
$36,300
Middlesex Community College-Middletown
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
2,424		 Graduation Rate
21%		 Net Price
$3,708 		Grads Salary
$43,500
Northwestern Connecticut Community College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
1,308		 Graduation Rate
21%		 Net Price
$6,203 		Grads Salary
$39,900
Naugatuck Valley Community College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
6,055		 Graduation Rate
16%		 Net Price
$6,965 		Grads Salary
$39,300
Quinebaug Valley Community College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
1,299		 Graduation Rate
33%		 Net Price
$8,689 		Grads Salary
$31,100
Tunxis Community College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
3,781		 Graduation Rate
16%		 Net Price
$7,105 		Grads Salary
$33,700
Manchester Community College-Connecticut
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
5,511		 Graduation Rate
16%		 Net Price
$7,533 		Grads Salary
$39,800
Three Rivers Community College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
3,304		 Graduation Rate
16%		 Net Price
$6,591 		Grads Salary
$37,200
Norwalk Community College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
5,083		 Graduation Rate
11%		 Net Price
$6,759 		Grads Salary
$37,200
Gateway Community College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
5,067		 Graduation Rate
20%		 Net Price
$10,692 		Grads Salary
$32,600
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Best Bachelor's Degrees in Connecticut

Best Bachelor's Degrees in Connecticut
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Connecticut offers some of the best bachelor's degree programs in the country. Career studies available include mechanical engineering, finance, business administration, media, communication, and game design and development. You may choose to inquire more about these programs through colleges and universities like Yale University, Quinnipiac University, or Wesleyan University. To help you make your decision, we’ve put together a list of the best colleges in Connecticut where you can earn a high-quality education and a bachelor’s degree.

United States Coast Guard Academy
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
1,069		 Graduation Rate
86%		 Net Price
$0		 Grads Salary
$100,600
Yale University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
13,609		 Graduation Rate
96%		 Net Price
$17,511 		Grads Salary
$92,000
Wesleyan University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
3,230		 Graduation Rate
91%		 Net Price
$22,845 		Grads Salary
$77,400
University of Connecticut
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
27,280		 Graduation Rate
83%		 Net Price
$22,233 		Grads Salary
$74,000
Trinity College
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
2,234		 Graduation Rate
82%		 Net Price
$26,233 		Grads Salary
$75,000
Charter Oak State College
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
1,634		 Graduation Rate
51%		 Net Price
$11,872 		Grads Salary
$77,700
Fairfield University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
5,349		 Graduation Rate
82%		 Net Price
$43,173 		Grads Salary
$81,700
Central Connecticut State University
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
11,154		 Graduation Rate
52%		 Net Price
$16,017 		Grads Salary
$69,300
Connecticut College
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
1,861		 Graduation Rate
82%		 Net Price
$40,474 		Grads Salary
$72,000
University of Hartford
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
6,773		 Graduation Rate
55%		 Net Price
$28,692 		Grads Salary
$76,300
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Best Master's Degrees in Connecticut

Best Master's Degrees in Connecticut
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A high-level degree gives you opportunities and advantages that cannot be afforded to you by a two or four-year degree alone. If you want to move up in your career or find a higher-paying job in Connecticut, you should consider pursuing an MBA, master's degree or doctorate. Some popular programs at this level are information technology, electrical engineering, economics, educational leadership, and TESOL. You can find these programs and more at all the colleges and universities on our list of high-quality educational institutions that offer you the best master’s and doctoral degree options.

Yale University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
13,609		 Graduation Rate
96%		 Net Price
$17,511 		Grads Salary
$92,000
Wesleyan University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
3,230		 Graduation Rate
91%		 Net Price
$22,845 		Grads Salary
$77,400
University of Connecticut
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
27,280		 Graduation Rate
83%		 Net Price
$22,233 		Grads Salary
$74,000
Charter Oak State College
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
No		 Student Population
1,634		 Graduation Rate
51%		 Net Price
$11,872 		Grads Salary
$77,700
Trinity College
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
2,234		 Graduation Rate
82%		 Net Price
$26,233 		Grads Salary
$75,000
Central Connecticut State University
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
11,154		 Graduation Rate
52%		 Net Price
$16,017 		Grads Salary
$69,300
Fairfield University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
5,349		 Graduation Rate
82%		 Net Price
$43,173 		Grads Salary
$81,700
Goodwin University
College Type
4-year, primarily associate's, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
3,312		 Graduation Rate
47%		 Net Price
$18,083 		Grads Salary
$69,500
University of Hartford
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
6,773		 Graduation Rate
55%		 Net Price
$28,692 		Grads Salary
$76,300
Southern Connecticut State University
College Type
4-year, Public		 Campus Housing
Yes		 Student Population
9,817		 Graduation Rate
51%		 Net Price
$19,220 		Grads Salary
$68,000
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Cost of Connecticut College Education & Salaries

When you approach your bachelor's degree, you will need to take its cost into account. After all, the odds are that you will likely carry at least some debt with you when you graduate. This unpleasant reality can be mitigated by a simple cost analysis before you start your education.

Prior to enrollment, you can look at the career path you intend to take and weigh your projected salary against your projected student loan debt. You should also take into consideration the likelihood of your happiness and sense of personal satisfaction and fulfillment in your future career. Don't try to force yourself into a career that you know you will find unpleasant just because it pays well. Nonetheless, in your cost analysis of a bachelor's degree, consider how you can reduce costs. For instance, you could resolve to remain in-state at public colleges and universities. Going out-of-state is likely to cost at least twice as much as for an in-state degree.

Achieving an associate's degree from a community college might enable you to gain some experience in your field and help pay down your debt a bit. For example, after achieving your associate's degree you could work for two or three years in your field and then continue your studies either through an online bachelor's program or at a public university. You might even find that your employer is willing to shoulder some of the tuition cost. Ultimately, any cost analysis of an education should weigh not only tuition versus salary but must include intangible factors such as your overall satisfaction and quality of life.

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College Cost Analysis - Connecticut vs. National

Average Connecticut Tuition & Fees at 4 Year Public School

In-State Tuition - $12,959

National Average – $9,580

Out-of-State – $33,709

National Average – $27,437

Percentage of Students Receiving Financial Aid

Connecticut receives the seventh most federal student aid. There are 143,000 students in the state that receive approximately $11,000 apiece. When it comes to federal grants, Connecticut also comes in seventh, as 34% of all FAFSA applicants were awarded grants. This means that you are likely to be able to receive federal student aid, but you should still not be lax in looking for scholarships and grants elsewhere to cut the costs of your degree.

Financial Aid Received Federal Grants Average $ per Recipient
Received Federal Grants 34% 37.7%
Average $ per Recipient $11,222 $11,222

* Institutional aid represents grant and scholarship funds directly awarded by a postsecondary institution.
* Financial aid data represents 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Best Scholarships for Connecticut

Scholarships and grants can be a great way to offset your future student loan debt. There are federal and private sources for both types of funding, though private scholarships and grants are perhaps more numerous and more diversified. Keep in mind that though many scholarships are likely to pay for little more than a few credits or your book expense, simply winning carries long-term value. That is, when you list these awards on your resume, hiring managers will take note.

BSS_logo

CCSG

Connecticut College Scholarships and Grants

Amount: $5,000-$20,000 (4 Awards)
Deadline: January 16
https://www.conncoll.edu/admission/scholarships-and-grants/
If you desire a top-notch private, liberal arts education, Connecticut College offers one of the best. They claim that 90% of their financial aid is in the form of grants that students needn't repay. Since these grants are often needs-based, less-advantaged students could end up with a private education that costs less than a public university. There are also four merit scholarships that range from $5,000 to $20,000.

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AESP

Alma Exley Scholarship Program

Amount: $5,000
Deadline: October 31
https://www.partnerconnecticutcu.org/about/foundations/partner-connecticut-foundation
If your calling is in the classroom, teaching eager young minds, then this is a scholarship for you. Geared towards students of color, the Exley Scholarship awards worthy future teachers with $5,000 towards their post-secondary education. It doesn't matter which school you will call your alma mater, so long as it is in the borders of Connecticut. However, you should already have been admitted to a teacher-preparation program, and either a junior or senior.

PFS_logo

HFSF

Hartford Foundation Scholarship Fund

Amount: $3,000
Deadline: January 15
https://www.hfpg.org/donors/ways-to-give/scholarship-fund
If you are soon to graduate from a Greater Hartford high school, you could qualify for this $3,000 scholarship. You should be enrolled as a full-time student in a four-year, degree-granting institution and must demonstrate financial need. Your GPA should place you in the top 1/3 of your graduating class and you also need to show volunteering and extra-curricular activities in your application.

DF_logo

AARCS

Androscoggin Amateur Radio Club Scholarship

Amount: $500-$1,000
Deadline: January 31
http://www.arrl.org/scholarship-descriptions#
If your passion is amateur radio, you have an FCC license, and are studying computer science, tv/radio electronics, or Electrical Engineering, you can apply to receive up to $1,000 for your four-year college tuition. You may receive $500 if you are attending a two-year institution. The scholarship is open to amateur radio operators all over New England, so make your application includes your current transcripts and is submitted before January 31.

ACEC_logo

LIS

Lighthouse International Scholarships

Amount: $10,000
Deadline: March 31
https://lighthouseguild.org/college-bound-scholarship-application-submission-confirmation/
If you are considered legally blind and need assistance with your college tuition, the Lighthouse Guild has a $10,000 award to help. To apply, have your GPA, college board exam scores, a list of extra-curricular activities, and other pertinent information handy. You can use their website to enter all of your information and await their decision.

CUCF_logo

JSS

John Soto Scholarships

Amount: $1,000
Deadline: Varies
https://calahe.org/scholarship-eligibility-
This is a scholarship for college-bound Latinos who have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and who have been Connecticut residents for the previous 12 months. Students also need to show financial need, submit an essay, and send their official transcripts for review. The fund provides a single award of $1,000.

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