2026 Best Graduate Degrees Schools in Connecticut
Looking for the best Graduate Degrees degree programs in Connecticut? This list ranks 53 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Grad Degree reviewed 41 schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Connecticut
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Yale University earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in Connecticut. Set in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. See the full Yale University profile
The strong Graduate Degrees programs at Fairfield University earned it the #2 place in Connecticut. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fairfield, CT. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $58,400. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,687. See the full Fairfield University profile
A rank of #3 makes Quinnipiac University one of the top choices in Connecticut. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hamden, CT. Quinnipiac University posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. Students from in state pay about $55,480 in tuition and fees. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $25,926. See the full Quinnipiac University profile
You'll be in good company at Sacred Heart University, which ranked #4 this year. Set in Fairfield, CT, Sacred Heart University is a private not-for-profit institution. Sacred Heart University graduates 74% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,404. Graduates carry a median of $25,831 in student loans. More on Sacred Heart University
The strong Graduate Degrees programs at University Of Connecticut earned it the #5 place in Connecticut. Based in Storrs, CT, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. University Of Connecticut Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $23,637 in debt. Get the full University Of Connecticut report
University Of New Haven landed the #6 spot in Connecticut this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in West Haven, CT. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. In-state tuition and fees run about $47,332. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,244. Read more about University Of New Haven
Saint Joseph College did well this year, earning the #7 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in West Hartford, CT. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,278. Saint Joseph College Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $27,798 in debt. Read more about Saint Joseph College
University Of Hartford came in at #8 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in West Hartford, CT. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $49,075 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,648 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Get the full University Of Hartford report
Central Connecticut State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Set in New Britain, CT, Central Connecticut State University is a public institution. Central Connecticut State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 48%. Students from in state pay about $13,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,550. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $24,340. Read more about Central Connecticut State University
Western Connecticut State University landed the #10 spot in Connecticut this year. This public school is set in Danbury, CT. About 52% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,401, compared with $16,901 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,332 in student loans. Read more about Western Connecticut State University
University Of Bridgeport placed #11 among Graduate Degrees schools in Connecticut. Set in Bridgeport, CT, University Of Bridgeport is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Bridgeport posts a six-year graduation rate of 41%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,760. Graduates carry a median of $28,601 in student loans. More on University Of Bridgeport
Southern Connecticut State University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Located in New Haven, CT, Southern Connecticut State University is a public institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,442 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,942. Southern Connecticut State University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $24,660 in debt. See the full Southern Connecticut State University profile
Post University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Post University is a private for-profit school based in Waterbury, CT. Roughly 24% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,922. Graduates carry a median of $35,364 in student loans. See the full Post University profile
Albertus Magnus College placed #14 among Graduate Degrees schools in Connecticut. Based in New Haven, CT, Albertus Magnus College is a private not-for-profit institution. Albertus Magnus College posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,908. Albertus Magnus College Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $36,919 in debt. Read more about Albertus Magnus College
New England Tractor Trailer Training School Of Connecticut landed the #15 spot in Connecticut this year. Get the full New England Tractor Trailer Training School Of Connecticut report
Charter Oak State College came in at #16 in this year's ranking. See the full Charter Oak State College profile
Trinity College
Trinity College did well this year, earning the #17 position. See the full Trinity College profile
Branford Academy Of Hair And Cosmetology came in at #18 in this year's ranking. More on Branford Academy Of Hair And Cosmetology
Hartford Seminary did well this year, earning the #19 position. Get the full Hartford Seminary report
United States Coast Guard Academy came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on United States Coast Guard Academy
European Academy Of Cosmetology And Hairdressing landed the #21 spot in Connecticut this year. Get the full European Academy Of Cosmetology And Hairdressing report
Lincoln Technical Institute New Britain came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Read more about Lincoln Technical Institute New Britain
University Of Connecticut Hartford Campus came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Read more about University Of Connecticut Hartford Campus
Paul Mitchell The School North Haven landed the #24 spot in Connecticut this year. More on Paul Mitchell The School North Haven
Belle Academy Of Cosmetology came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Belle Academy Of Cosmetology
Rest of the Top 50 Best Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Connecticut
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Holy Apostles College And Seminary did well this year, earning the #26 position. Get the full Holy Apostles College And Seminary report
Academy Di Capelli School Of Cosmetology ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Academy Di Capelli School Of Cosmetology report
Connecticut College landed the #28 spot in Connecticut this year. Get the full Connecticut College report
University Of Connecticut Avery Point landed the #29 spot in Connecticut this year. Read more about University Of Connecticut Avery Point
International Institute Of Cosmetology did well this year, earning the #30 position. Read the full report on International Institute Of Cosmetology
Dolce Llc The Academy came in at #31 in this year's ranking. See the full Dolce Llc The Academy profile
Mitchell College
Mitchell College ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about Mitchell College
Goodwin College
Goodwin College placed #33 among Graduate Degrees schools in Connecticut. Read the full report on Goodwin College
Arizona College Of Nursing Hartford did well this year, earning the #34 position. Read the full report on Arizona College Of Nursing Hartford
American Institute West Hartford came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Get the full American Institute West Hartford report
Eastern Connecticut State University did well this year, earning the #36 position. Get the full Eastern Connecticut State University report
Branford Academy Of Hair Cosmetology Bridgeport ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. See the full Branford Academy Of Hair Cosmetology Bridgeport profile
University Of Connecticut Stamford came in at #38 in this year's ranking. See the full University Of Connecticut Stamford profile
Porter And Chester Institute Of Branford placed #39 among Graduate Degrees schools in Connecticut. More on Porter And Chester Institute Of Branford
Riccis Academy Of Cosmetology did well this year, earning the #40 position. More on Riccis Academy Of Cosmetology
Oxford Academy Of Hair Design Inc placed #41 among Graduate Degrees schools in Connecticut. See the full Oxford Academy Of Hair Design Inc profile
American Institute Of Healthcare And Technology landed the #42 spot in Connecticut this year. Read more about American Institute Of Healthcare And Technology
Lincoln Technical Institute East Windsor came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Read more about Lincoln Technical Institute East Windsor
Paier College Of Art Inc placed #44 among Graduate Degrees schools in Connecticut. Get the full Paier College Of Art Inc report
Wesleyan University did well this year, earning the #45 position. More on Wesleyan University
New England Tractor Trailer Training School Of Ct Bridgeport came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Read more about New England Tractor Trailer Training School Of Ct Bridgeport
Lincoln Technical Institute Shelton placed #47 among Graduate Degrees schools in Connecticut. Get the full Lincoln Technical Institute Shelton report
Capital Community College came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Get the full Capital Community College report
Industrial Management Training Institute landed the #49 spot in Connecticut this year. Get the full Industrial Management Training Institute report
Porter And Chester Institute Of Stratford ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. More on Porter And Chester Institute Of Stratford
More Graduate Degrees Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 41 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 53 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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