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Small Colleges in Connecticut

21 schools in Connecticut. See our methodology.

Connecticut's small college scene delivers remarkable financial value alongside academic excellence, with graduates earning between $39,115 and $90,779 annually. Trinity College graduates command the highest salaries at $90,779, while the University of Connecticut's Waterbury campus offers the most affordable education at just $8,896 net cost. This blend of liberal arts institutions and regional campuses serves Connecticut's insurance and finance sectors particularly well, with companies like United Technologies recruiting directly from these programs. Wesleyan University maintains the most selective admissions at 14.4% acceptance, yet Eastern Connecticut State University opens doors with 73.8% acceptance while still delivering $56,469 median earnings. The state's 21 small colleges create pathways into Connecticut's $74 billion economy, where healthcare systems like Yale-New Haven Health and defense contractors seek graduates with both technical skills and liberal arts foundations. Regional UConn campuses provide accessible entry points into the state university system, with graduation rates ranging from 56.7% to 65.4% and consistent earning potential around $74,000. Holy Apostles College achieves a perfect 100% graduation rate among its 203 students, demonstrating how specialized programs can deliver strong outcomes.
21
Schools
$25,033
Avg. Net Price
$65,460
Avg. Earnings
65.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

Small Colleges in Connecticut

College listings
# School Enrollment Net Price Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 2,973 $27,888 91.6% 14.4%
2 2,193 $35,009 82.8% 36.1%
3 4,938 $46,274 83.8% 52.2%
4 1,960 $33,998 83.7% 40.4%
5 203 $16,073 100.0%
6 1,473 $13,339 65.4% 97.3%
7 3,377 $20,480 58.1% 73.8%
8 2,177 $14,059 56.9% 92.2%
9 746 $8,896 59.5% 97.9%
10 464 $11,504 56.7% 97.4%
11 2,761 $28,544 58.3%
12 3,434 $18,617 50.2% 83.5%
13 825 $27,375 69.7% 74.9%
14 1,620 $15,663
15 1,081 87.9% 23.9%
16 4,032 $29,558 58.3% 82.8%
17 882 $32,681 46.1% 80.5%
18 4,799 $34,089 59.2% 91.2%
19 1,450 $24,786 48.1% 81.5%
20 421 $30,841 44.1% 76.8%
21 183 $30,982 57.1% 95.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Connecticut's small colleges financially attractive?

Net costs range from $8,896 at UConn Waterbury to $46,274 at Fairfield University, yet graduates earn $39,115 to $90,779 annually. Trinity College graduates earn the highest median salary at $90,779, while even the most affordable options like UConn regional campuses produce graduates earning around $74,000. This creates strong return on investment across price points.

How competitive are admissions at these institutions?

Acceptance rates vary dramatically from Wesleyan University's highly selective 14.4% to UConn Waterbury's open 97.9%. Most schools fall between 40-80% acceptance, making quality education accessible. Even Trinity College, with 36.1% acceptance, remains more accessible than many comparable liberal arts colleges while maintaining an 82.8% graduation rate.

Where do graduates typically find employment in Connecticut?

Connecticut's insurance and finance sectors, anchored by companies in Hartford, actively recruit from these colleges. United Technologies and Yale-New Haven Health represent major employers seeking graduates with liberal arts backgrounds. The state's $74 billion economy offers opportunities in defense manufacturing, healthcare, and financial services, matching well with small college graduates' skill sets.

Do UConn regional campuses offer the same value as the main campus?

UConn's four regional campuses provide identical degree credentials with significantly lower costs, ranging from $8,896 to $14,059. All regional campus graduates earn the same median salary of $73,997. Hartford campus maintains the highest graduation rate at 65.4%, while all campuses offer acceptance rates above 92%, ensuring accessibility.

What graduation rates can students expect?

Graduation rates span from 44.1% to 100%, with Holy Apostles College achieving perfect completion among its 203 students. Liberal arts colleges like Wesleyan (91.6%) and Connecticut College (83.7%) lead in retention, while regional state universities average 50-65%. The Coast Guard Academy maintains 87.9% graduation with military structure and support.

How do specialized programs perform compared to traditional colleges?

Specialized institutions show remarkable success rates. Holy Apostles College achieves 100% graduation with 203 students in religious studies. The Coast Guard Academy combines 87.9% graduation with guaranteed military careers. Goodwin University focuses on professional programs with 2,761 students earning $43,596 median salary, demonstrating career-focused education effectiveness.

Related

Small Colleges Nationally All Colleges in Connecticut Cheapest Programs in Connecticut

See our methodology for details on rankings and data sources.