College ROI Report
Updated 2024
Best-value Colleges in Connecticut
Although Connecticut is the third smallest state in the US, that doesn’t mean its higher education offerings are small. In fact, those who choose to go to school in the Constitution State tend to earn big after graduation. Using the Payscale college ROI report, you can research the public and private colleges in Connecticut to determine which one is going to take your dollar the furthest and give you the best College ROI, which is the amount of money you can expect to earn 20 years after getting your degree from a specific school.
| Rank | School Name | 20 Year Net ROI | Total 4 Year Cost | Graduation Rate | Typical Years to Graduate | Average Loan Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank:1 | School Name: United States Coast Guard Academy (Service Academy) | 20 Year Net ROI:$920,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$0 | Graduation Rate:87% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:- |
| Rank:2 | School Name: Yale University (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$903,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$323,000 | Graduation Rate:98% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$19,700 |
| Rank:3 | School Name: Fairfield University (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$686,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$284,000 | Graduation Rate:84% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$37,000 |
| Rank:4 | School Name: - Main Campus_50px.png) University of Connecticut (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$608,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$142,000 | Graduation Rate:83% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$32,400 |
| Rank:5 | School Name: Trinity College (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$520,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$317,000 | Graduation Rate:84% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$31,300 |
| Rank:6 | School Name:University of Connecticut (Out-of-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$518,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$233,000 | Graduation Rate:83% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$32,400 |
| Rank:7 | School Name: Central Connecticut State University (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$481,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$111,000 | Graduation Rate:53% | Typical Years to Graduate:5 | Average Loan Amount:$27,100 |
| Rank:8 | School Name: Western Connecticut State University (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$473,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$117,000 | Graduation Rate:51% | Typical Years to Graduate:5 | Average Loan Amount:$25,700 |
| Rank:9 | School Name: Connecticut College (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$461,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$314,000 | Graduation Rate:84% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$38,400 |
| Rank:10 | School Name: Sacred Heart University (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$454,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$261,000 | Graduation Rate:73% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$49,500 |
Yale University hardly needs any introduction, consistently producing one of the best college ROIs in Connecticut. The private Ivy League school was once the only school in Connecticut, and Yale was responsible for educating the sons of the elite who helped propel Connecticut into what it is today. Students have a diverse offering of intellectual activities outside the classroom; specifically, activities like joining the esteemed Yale debate team. For more leisurely activities, students can enjoy cheering for their college football team, the Yale Bulldogs.
Yale happens to be one of the most selective colleges in the US, so if you don’t find an acceptance letter in your mailbox, there are still plenty of worthwhile options to consider in your state. Take the University of Connecticut for instance, where tuition is half the cost of that at Yale. Students who choose to attend UConn enjoy living in Storrs, which is conveniently close to the state’s capital of Hartford. UConn boasts the largest public research library in the state. UConn is situated in a relatively rural area, where the campus is surrounded by lush greenery. UConn students can choose from over 100 different majors. Unique to UConn, out-of-state students can attend the university at an in-state tuition rate if their major of choice is not offered in their current state.
Also on our list is Catholic-based Fairfield University. Fairfield is a small, private college located relatively close to the bay in the town of Fairfield. Fairfield freshman can choose from 35 undergraduate degrees and 16 minors. Fairfield is known for producing strong graduates in the fields of biology, international studies, art history and religious studies. Fairfield also offers a strong mechanical engineering program.
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