Best colleges for NCAA Division I athletes in Connecticut
Colleges that compete in NCAA Division I athletics, ranked by Compass Score.
Best colleges for NCAA Division I athletes in Connecticut6 schools
6 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Connecticut.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Competes in NCAA Division I (the school's athletics association, from federal and association data).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Yale University
New Haven, CT · Private nonprofitIvy LeagueHonor Roll#1 in Connecticut
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 96% graduate
- 2
Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT · Private nonprofitHonor RollTop 5% for earnings
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 84% graduate
- 3
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT · PublicHonor RollTop 9% for graduation
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 83% graduate
- 4
Quinnipiac University
Hamden, CT · Private nonprofitTop 6% for earnings
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 76% graduate
- 5
Sacred Heart University
Fairfield, CT · Private nonprofitTop 11% for earnings
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 73% graduate
- 6
Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CT · PublicGood: Compass grade B-
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 48% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yale University | About $24,000 | $12,975 | $100,533 | 96% |
| Fairfield University | About $48,000 | $26,000 | $88,794 | 84% |
| University of Connecticut | About $25,000 | $21,500 | $73,997 | 83% |
| Quinnipiac University | About $41,000 | $26,000 | $83,759 | 76% |
| Sacred Heart University | About $46,000 | $25,000 | $75,059 | 73% |
| Central Connecticut State University | About $17,000 | $22,300 | $58,562 | 48% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 10
- Arizona 5
- Arkansas 5
- California 26
- Colorado 5
- District of Columbia 4
- Florida 14
- Georgia 6
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 13
- Indiana 11
- Iowa 4
- Kansas 3
- Kentucky 8
- Louisiana 12
- Maryland 9
- Massachusetts 9
- Michigan 7
- Mississippi 6
- Missouri 6
- Nebraska 3
- New Jersey 8
- New York 23
- North Carolina 19
- Ohio 13
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 4
- Pennsylvania 15
- Rhode Island 4
- South Carolina 12
- Tennessee 12
- Texas 26
- Utah 7
- Virginia 14
- Washington 5
- Wisconsin 4