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Best value colleges in Connecticut

Colleges with an Academic Excellence grade of B+ or better, ranked by Value: net price, graduation rate, earnings, and debt from federal data.

Best value colleges in Connecticut13 schools

13 schools qualify, ranked by Value.

How this list is made

  • Schools in Connecticut.
  • Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
  • Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
  • Has a Value score from federal data (College Scorecard).
  • Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
  • Ordered by Value, highest first.

Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.

  1. 1

    University of Connecticut-Avery Point

    Groton, CT · Public

    Top 12% for earnings

    • Value grade A · Top 5%
    • Net price $13,807 a year
  2. 2

    Yale University

    New Haven, CT · Private nonprofitIvy LeagueHonor Roll

    #1 in Connecticut

    • Value grade A · Top 8%
    • Net price $23,777 a year
  3. 3

    Charter Oak State College

    New Britain, CT · PublicHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A

    • Value grade A · Top 10%
    • Net price $15,815 a year
  4. 4

    University of Connecticut

    Storrs, CT · PublicHonor Roll

    Top 9% for graduation

    • Value grade B+ · Top 31%
    • Net price $25,097 a year
  5. 5

    Wesleyan University

    Middletown, CT · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A

    • Value grade B · Top 36%
    • Net price $30,177 a year
  6. 6

    Eastern Connecticut State University

    Willimantic, CT · Public

    Good: Compass grade B

    • Value grade B
    • Net price $21,067 a year
  7. 7

    Trinity College

    Hartford, CT · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    Top 4% for earnings

    • Value grade B-
    • Net price $34,832 a year
  8. 8

    Connecticut College

    New London, CT · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A

    • Value grade B-
    • Net price $36,175 a year
  9. 9

    University of Saint Joseph

    West Hartford, CT · Private nonprofit

    Good: Compass grade B

    • Value grade C+
    • Net price $27,989 a year
  10. 10

    University of Hartford

    West Hartford, CT · Private nonprofit

    Good: Compass grade B

    • Value grade C+
    • Net price $30,282 a year
  11. 11

    Sacred Heart University

    Fairfield, CT · Private nonprofit

    Top 11% for earnings

    • Value grade C+
    • Net price $46,174 a year
  12. 12

    Fairfield University

    Fairfield, CT · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    Top 5% for earnings

    • Value grade C+
    • Net price $48,095 a year
  13. 12

    Quinnipiac University

    Hamden, CT · Private nonprofit

    Top 6% for earnings

    • Value grade C+
    • Net price $40,675 a year

Compare cost and outcomes

SchoolNet price a yearMedian debtEarnings 10 years outGraduation rate
University of Connecticut-Avery Point$13,807$21,500$73,99762%
Yale University$23,777$12,975$100,53396%
Charter Oak State College$15,815$18,683$64,20967%
University of Connecticut$25,097$21,500$73,99783%
Wesleyan University$30,177$17,000$73,89793%
Eastern Connecticut State University$21,067$24,250$56,46958%
Trinity College$34,832$23,000$90,77984%
Connecticut College$36,175$23,500$75,00182%
University of Saint Joseph$27,989$27,000$59,90864%
University of Hartford$30,282$27,000$60,82354%
Sacred Heart University$46,174$25,000$75,05973%
Fairfield University$48,095$26,000$88,79484%
Quinnipiac University$40,675$26,000$83,75976%

Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.

This list in other states

The national list → · All top school lists →

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