Most selective colleges in Connecticut
Colleges that admit the smallest share of applicants.
Most selective colleges in Connecticut13 schools
13 schools qualify, ranked by admission rate.
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 an admission rate from federal data (College Scorecard). Average SAT scores are shown where the college reports them.
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by admission rate, lowest first. Selectivity measures demand for places, not the quality of teaching.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Yale University
New Haven, CT · Private nonprofitIvy LeagueHonor Roll#1 in Connecticut
- Admits 4%
- Average SAT 1534
- 2
Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Admits 16%
- Average SAT 1501
- 3
United States Coast Guard Academy
New London, CT · PublicHonor RollTop 3% for graduation
- Admits 22%
- Average SAT 1339
- 4
Trinity College
Hartford, CT · Private nonprofitHonor RollTop 4% for earnings
- Admits 29%
- Average SAT 1415
- 5
Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT · Private nonprofitHonor RollTop 5% for earnings
- Admits 33%
- Average SAT 1335
- 6
Connecticut College
New London, CT · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Admits 37%
- Average SAT 1432
- 7
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT · PublicHonor RollTop 9% for graduation
- Admits 52%
- Average SAT 1348
- 8
- 9
- 10
University of Saint Joseph
West Hartford, CT · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Admits 79%
- Average SAT 950
- 11
Eastern Connecticut State University
Willimantic, CT · PublicGood: Compass grade B
- Admits 83%
- Average SAT 1160
- 12
University of Connecticut-Avery Point
Groton, CT · PublicTop 12% for earnings
- Admits 88%
- Average SAT 1090
- 13
University of Hartford
West Hartford, CT · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Admits 96%
- Average SAT 1219
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% |
| Fairfield University | $48,095 | $26,000 | $88,794 | 84% |
| Connecticut College | $36,175 | $23,500 | $75,001 | 82% |
| University of Connecticut | $25,097 | $21,500 | $73,997 | 83% |
| Sacred Heart University | $46,174 | $25,000 | $75,059 | 73% |
| Quinnipiac University | $40,675 | $26,000 | $83,759 | 76% |
| University of Saint Joseph | $27,989 | $27,000 | $59,908 | 64% |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | $21,067 | $24,250 | $56,469 | 58% |
| University of Connecticut-Avery Point | $13,807 | $21,500 | $73,997 | 62% |
| University of Hartford | $30,282 | $27,000 | $60,823 | 54% |
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 57
- Colorado 7
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 20
- Georgia 9
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 21
- Iowa 16
- Kansas 3
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 3
- Maine 9
- Maryland 16
- Massachusetts 46
- Michigan 21
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 19
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 17
- New York 79
- North Carolina 18
- Ohio 32
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 60
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 9
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 17
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 22
- Washington 12
- Wisconsin 15