Best test-optional colleges in Connecticut
Colleges that don't require the SAT or ACT for admission, ranked by Compass Score.
Best test-optional colleges in Connecticut18 schools
18 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Connecticut.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Admission test policy: considered but not required, or neither required nor recommended (federal admissions 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
- SAT or ACT not required
- 96% graduate
- 2
Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- SAT or ACT not required
- 93% graduate
- 3
United States Coast Guard Academy
New London, CT · PublicHonor RollTop 3% for graduation
- SAT or ACT not required
- 93% graduate
- 4
Trinity College
Hartford, CT · Private nonprofitHonor RollTop 4% for earnings
- SAT or ACT not required
- 84% graduate
- 5
Connecticut College
New London, CT · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- SAT or ACT not required
- 82% graduate
- 6
Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT · Private nonprofitHonor RollTop 5% for earnings
- SAT or ACT not required
- 84% graduate
- 7
Quinnipiac University
Hamden, CT · Private nonprofitTop 6% for earnings
- SAT or ACT not required
- 76% graduate
- 8
Sacred Heart University
Fairfield, CT · Private nonprofitTop 11% for earnings
- SAT or ACT not required
- 73% graduate
- 9
University of New Haven
West Haven, CT · Private nonprofit#11 in Connecticut
- SAT or ACT not required
- 63% graduate
- 10
Eastern Connecticut State University
Willimantic, CT · PublicGood: Compass grade B
- SAT or ACT not required
- 58% graduate
- 11
University of Hartford
West Hartford, CT · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- SAT or ACT not required
- 54% graduate
- 12
University of Saint Joseph
West Hartford, CT · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- SAT or ACT not required
- 64% graduate
- 13
Western Connecticut State University
Danbury, CT · PublicGood: Compass grade B-
- SAT or ACT not required
- 52% graduate
- 14
Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CT · PublicGood: Compass grade B-
- SAT or ACT not required
- 48% graduate
- 15
Southern Connecticut State University
New Haven, CT · PublicGood: Compass grade B-
- SAT or ACT not required
- 50% graduate
- 16
Albertus Magnus College
New Haven, CT · Private nonprofitSolid: Compass grade C+
- SAT or ACT not required
- 51% graduate
- 17Tie
Mitchell College
New London, CT · Private nonprofit#24 in Connecticut
- SAT or ACT not required
- 42% graduate
- 17Tie
University of Bridgeport
Bridgeport, CT · Private nonprofit#24 in Connecticut
- SAT or ACT not required
- 41% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yale University | $23,777 | $12,975 | $100,533 | 96% |
| Wesleyan University | $30,177 | $17,000 | $73,897 | 93% |
| United States Coast Guard Academy | — | — | — | 93% |
| Trinity College | $34,832 | $23,000 | $90,779 | 84% |
| Connecticut College | $36,175 | $23,500 | $75,001 | 82% |
| Fairfield University | $48,095 | $26,000 | $88,794 | 84% |
| Quinnipiac University | $40,675 | $26,000 | $83,759 | 76% |
| Sacred Heart University | $46,174 | $25,000 | $75,059 | 73% |
| University of New Haven | $34,192 | $27,000 | $60,126 | 63% |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | $21,067 | $24,250 | $56,469 | 58% |
| University of Hartford | $30,282 | $27,000 | $60,823 | 54% |
| University of Saint Joseph | $27,989 | $27,000 | $59,908 | 64% |
| Western Connecticut State University | $17,604 | $24,147 | $59,115 | 52% |
| Central Connecticut State University | $16,857 | $22,300 | $58,562 | 48% |
| Southern Connecticut State University | $20,857 | $22,250 | $55,043 | 50% |
| Albertus Magnus College | $34,028 | $30,964 | $60,144 | 51% |
| Mitchell College | $30,260 | $25,150 | $39,115 | 42% |
| University of Bridgeport | $27,807 | $25,750 | $50,323 | 41% |
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 23
- Arizona 12
- Arkansas 10
- California 100
- Colorado 16
- Delaware 3
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 35
- Georgia 42
- Hawaii 5
- Idaho 6
- Illinois 56
- Indiana 40
- Iowa 29
- Kansas 24
- Kentucky 25
- Louisiana 21
- Maine 15
- Maryland 25
- Massachusetts 59
- Michigan 40
- Minnesota 35
- Mississippi 10
- Missouri 42
- Montana 7
- Nebraska 14
- Nevada 5
- New Hampshire 11
- New Jersey 33
- New Mexico 5
- New York 125
- North Carolina 54
- North Dakota 7
- Ohio 68
- Oklahoma 14
- Oregon 21
- Pennsylvania 113
- Puerto Rico 32
- Rhode Island 11
- South Carolina 30
- South Dakota 10
- Tennessee 28
- Texas 65
- Utah 8
- Vermont 9
- Virginia 43
- Washington 20
- West Virginia 13
- Wisconsin 34