2026 Best Value Graduate Degrees Schools in Connecticut
Looking for the best-value Graduate Degrees degree programs in Connecticut? This list ranks 53 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Grad Degree reviewed 14 schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Connecticut
Explore the best-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat Post University this year in Connecticut. Post University is a private for-profit school based in Waterbury, CT. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,922. Graduates carry a median of $35,364 in student loans. Post University alumni report median earnings of $38,696 a decade after entry. Set against $35,364 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Post University profile
A rank of #2 makes Fairfield University one of the best values in Connecticut. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fairfield, CT. In-state tuition and fees average $58,400. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $88,794. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fairfield University has an acceptance rate of 33%. See the full Fairfield University profile
You'll get strong value at Central Connecticut State University, which ranked #3 this year. Set in New Britain, CT, Central Connecticut State University is a public institution. 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. Central Connecticut State University alumni report median earnings of $58,562 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 73% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Central Connecticut State University
You'll get strong value at Western Connecticut State University, which ranked #4 this year. This public school is set in Danbury, CT. 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. Median earnings reach $59,115 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%. Read more about Western Connecticut State University
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Quinnipiac University earned it the #5 place in Connecticut. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hamden, CT. Students from in state pay about $55,480 in tuition and fees. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $25,926. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $83,759. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Quinnipiac University has an acceptance rate of 72%. See the full Quinnipiac University profile
Saint Joseph College placed #6 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Connecticut. This private not-for-profit school is set in West Hartford, CT. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,908. That is a strong return on a $27,798 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%. Read more about Saint Joseph College
University Of Hartford ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in West Hartford, CT. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $60,823. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 96% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Hartford report
Southern Connecticut State University offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Located in New Haven, CT, Southern Connecticut State University is a public institution. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,043. That is a strong return on a $24,660 median debt. Southern Connecticut State University has an acceptance rate of 92%. See the full Southern Connecticut State University profile
University Of New Haven ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in West Haven, CT. In-state tuition and fees run about $47,332. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,244. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $60,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of New Haven
University Of Connecticut came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Based in Storrs, CT, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $73,997. Set against $23,637 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 52% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Connecticut report
Yale University offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Set in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Median earnings reach $100,533 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. About 4% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Yale University profile
University Of Bridgeport placed #12 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Connecticut. Set in Bridgeport, CT, University Of Bridgeport is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,760. Graduates carry a median of $28,601 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,323 ten years after entry. Set against $28,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Bridgeport admits about 83% of applicants. More on University Of Bridgeport
Sacred Heart University came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Set in Fairfield, CT, Sacred Heart University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,404. Graduates carry a median of $25,831 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $75,059. Set against $25,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 65% of those who apply are admitted. More on Sacred Heart University
Albertus Magnus College landed the #14 spot for value in Connecticut this year. Based in New Haven, CT, Albertus Magnus College is a private not-for-profit institution. 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. Median earnings reach $60,144 ten years out. Set against $36,919 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Albertus Magnus College has an acceptance rate of 59%. Read more about Albertus Magnus College
United States Coast Guard Academy landed the #15 spot for value in Connecticut this year. Read the full report on United States Coast Guard Academy
Porter And Chester Institute Of Stratford came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. More on Porter And Chester Institute Of Stratford
Connecticut Center For Massage Therapy Newington landed the #17 spot for value in Connecticut this year. Get the full Connecticut Center For Massage Therapy Newington report
Mitchell College
Mitchell College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about Mitchell College
Paul Mitchell The School North Haven ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. More on Paul Mitchell The School North Haven
Branford Academy Of Hair Cosmetology Bridgeport landed the #20 spot for value in Connecticut this year. See the full Branford Academy Of Hair Cosmetology Bridgeport profile
Trinity College
Trinity College came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. See the full Trinity College profile
Goodwin College
Goodwin College offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Read the full report on Goodwin College
Lincoln Technical Institute Shelton ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Lincoln Technical Institute Shelton report
European Academy Of Cosmetology And Hairdressing placed #24 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Connecticut. Get the full European Academy Of Cosmetology And Hairdressing report
University Of Connecticut Hartford Campus placed #25 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Connecticut. Read more about University Of Connecticut Hartford Campus
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Connecticut
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Branford Academy Of Hair And Cosmetology came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. More on Branford Academy Of Hair And Cosmetology
Wesleyan University landed the #27 spot for value in Connecticut this year. More on Wesleyan University
American Institute West Hartford offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Get the full American Institute West Hartford report
University Of Connecticut Stamford came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. See the full University Of Connecticut Stamford profile
Industrial Management Training Institute came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Industrial Management Training Institute report
American Institute Of Healthcare And Technology placed #31 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Connecticut. Read more about American Institute Of Healthcare And Technology
Capital Community College came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Capital Community College report
Charter Oak State College offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. See the full Charter Oak State College profile
New England Tractor Trailer Training School Of Connecticut ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full New England Tractor Trailer Training School Of Connecticut report
Hartford Seminary offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Get the full Hartford Seminary report
University Of Connecticut Avery Point offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Read more about University Of Connecticut Avery Point
Porter And Chester Institute Of Branford ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. More on Porter And Chester Institute Of Branford
University Of Connecticut Tri Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. Get the full University Of Connecticut Tri Campus report
Connecticut College offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. Get the full Connecticut College report
Holy Apostles College And Seminary landed the #40 spot for value in Connecticut this year. Get the full Holy Apostles College And Seminary report
Arizona College Of Nursing Hartford ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read the full report on Arizona College Of Nursing Hartford
Eastern Connecticut State University landed the #42 spot for value in Connecticut this year. Get the full Eastern Connecticut State University report
Oxford Academy Of Hair Design Inc came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. See the full Oxford Academy Of Hair Design Inc profile
Rensselaer Hartford Graduate Center Inc landed the #44 spot for value in Connecticut this year. See the full Rensselaer Hartford Graduate Center Inc profile
Dolce Llc The Academy landed the #45 spot for value in Connecticut this year. See the full Dolce Llc The Academy profile
Lincoln Technical Institute New Britain landed the #46 spot for value in Connecticut this year. Read more about Lincoln Technical Institute New Britain
Lincoln Technical Institute East Windsor ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about Lincoln Technical Institute East Windsor
New England Tractor Trailer Training School Of Ct Bridgeport placed #48 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Connecticut. Read more about New England Tractor Trailer Training School Of Ct Bridgeport
Belle Academy Of Cosmetology came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Belle Academy Of Cosmetology
International Institute Of Cosmetology landed the #50 spot for value in Connecticut this year. Read the full report on International Institute Of Cosmetology
More Graduate Degrees Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 14 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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