Colleges where the most freshmen return in Connecticut
Colleges ranked by first-year retention: the share of full-time freshmen who come back for a second year.
Colleges where the most freshmen return in Connecticut14 schools
14 schools qualify, ranked by first-year retention.
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 first-year retention rate from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by retention rate, highest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Charter Oak State College
New Britain, CT · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- 100% of freshmen return
- 67% graduate
- 2
Yale University
New Haven, CT · Private nonprofitIvy LeagueHonor Roll#1 in Connecticut
- 99% of freshmen return
- 96% graduate
- 3
United States Coast Guard Academy
New London, CT · PublicHonor RollTop 3% for graduation
- 99% of freshmen return
- 93% graduate
- 4
Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- 95% of freshmen return
- 93% graduate
- 5
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT · PublicHonor RollTop 9% for graduation
- 92% of freshmen return
- 83% graduate
- 6
Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT · Private nonprofitHonor RollTop 5% for earnings
- 91% of freshmen return
- 84% graduate
- 7
Trinity College
Hartford, CT · Private nonprofitHonor RollTop 4% for earnings
- 90% of freshmen return
- 84% graduate
- 8
Connecticut College
New London, CT · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- 90% of freshmen return
- 82% graduate
- 9
Quinnipiac University
Hamden, CT · Private nonprofitTop 6% for earnings
- 89% of freshmen return
- 76% graduate
- 10
Eastern Connecticut State University
Willimantic, CT · PublicGood: Compass grade B
- 84% of freshmen return
- 58% graduate
- 11
Sacred Heart University
Fairfield, CT · Private nonprofitTop 11% for earnings
- 83% of freshmen return
- 73% graduate
- 12
University of Hartford
West Hartford, CT · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- 83% of freshmen return
- 54% graduate
- 13
University of Saint Joseph
West Hartford, CT · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- 82% of freshmen return
- 64% graduate
- 14
University of Connecticut-Avery Point
Groton, CT · PublicTop 12% for earnings
- 70% of freshmen return
- 62% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charter Oak State College | $15,815 | $18,683 | $64,209 | 67% |
| Yale University | $23,777 | $12,975 | $100,533 | 96% |
| United States Coast Guard Academy | — | — | — | 93% |
| Wesleyan University | $30,177 | $17,000 | $73,897 | 93% |
| University of Connecticut | $25,097 | $21,500 | $73,997 | 83% |
| Fairfield University | $48,095 | $26,000 | $88,794 | 84% |
| Trinity College | $34,832 | $23,000 | $90,779 | 84% |
| Connecticut College | $36,175 | $23,500 | $75,001 | 82% |
| Quinnipiac University | $40,675 | $26,000 | $83,759 | 76% |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | $21,067 | $24,250 | $56,469 | 58% |
| Sacred Heart University | $46,174 | $25,000 | $75,059 | 73% |
| University of Hartford | $30,282 | $27,000 | $60,823 | 54% |
| University of Saint Joseph | $27,989 | $27,000 | $59,908 | 64% |
| University of Connecticut-Avery Point | $13,807 | $21,500 | $73,997 | 62% |
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 5
- Arizona 4
- Arkansas 5
- California 63
- Colorado 7
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 21
- Georgia 9
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 21
- Iowa 15
- Kansas 4
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 3
- Maine 8
- Maryland 16
- Massachusetts 46
- Michigan 21
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 18
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 17
- New York 80
- North Carolina 17
- Ohio 31
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 62
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 10
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 20
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 20
- Washington 13
- Wisconsin 15