Best Value Degrees in Connecticut (2026)

Top 100 of 533 programs in Connecticut · Updated 2026

The best college programs in Connecticut, ranked by overall value. We scored 533 programs across Connecticut schools on earnings, AI resilience, job demand, and tuition ROI. The top programs average $71,831/yr in graduate earnings.

Why Connecticut’s Public Universities Dominate the Value Rankings

The top of our rankings is a sea of public universities for a simple reason: they deliver high-demand degrees at a fraction of the cost of private competitors. Central, Southern, and Western Connecticut State Universities lock down the top three spots with their Nursing programs, all offering salaries over $83,000/year for a total tuition cost of around $50,000. This math results in a powerful 17x return on investment, a value proposition that expensive private schools struggle to match, even with higher-earning graduates.

The UConn System: One Top-Tier Program, Many Locations

You'll notice UConn's regional campuses—Waterbury, Avery Point, Stamford—appearing repeatedly with identical stats for programs like Computer Science (earning $79,605/yr with a ~17x ROI). This isn't a coincidence; it's a strategy. By offering its top-tier curriculum across the state, UConn provides access to its powerful brand and alumni network without forcing everyone to the main Storrs campus. This model delivers a consistent, high-value education that leverages the flagship's reputation while offering students more affordable and convenient local options.

The Yale Paradox: Elite Earnings Don't Equal Top Value

It might be surprising to see world-renowned Yale University absent from our Top 20 value list. While its graduates have the best debt-to-earnings ratio on our list—earning an incredible $133,293/yr against just $15,000 in median debt—its high sticker price prevents it from cracking the top for overall value. This highlights a key distinction: for students receiving near-full financial aid, Yale is an unparalleled investment. For the average student, however, the state's public universities provide a more reliable and affordable path to a high-paying career.

AI's Impact: Raising the Bar for Tech and Nursing Grads

With 83% of ranked programs facing high AI exposure, your career will be shaped by automation. For Computer Science majors (61% AI risk), this means routine coding and testing jobs are shrinking. Your value won't be in writing simple code, but in architecting complex systems and critically evaluating AI output. For Nursing majors (43% AI risk), AI will automate administrative tasks like charting, freeing you to focus on irreplaceable human skills: hands-on care, complex patient assessment, and empathy. In both fields, AI is not a replacement, but a tool that raises the expectations for entry-level talent.

Programs in CT

533

Avg Earnings (Top 100)

$71,831/yr

Avg DW Score

77/100

#1 Program

Nursing

Central Connecticut State University

Top Institutions

Leading the field for Best Degrees in Connecticut

The top four programs by DegreeOutlook Score. Full ranking of 100 programs below.

Rank #1 · DegreeOutlook Score 87

Nursing

Central Connecticut State University · New Britain, CT · Public

Southern Connecticut State University · CT · #2

$87,795/yr · 17.0x ROI

Nursing

Western Connecticut State University · CT · #3

$86,600/yr · 17.4x ROI

Information Sciences

Central Connecticut State University · CT · #4

$69,334/yr · 20.0x ROI

The Ranking Matrix

Top Programs in Connecticut

Top 100 programs by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any row for full analysis.

Sort by

#	Program	DW Score	Earnings	AI Risk	ROI
1	Nursing Central Connecticut State University · New Britain, CT	87 83–87	$83,012/yr	High	17.1x
2	Nursing Southern Connecticut State University · New Haven, CT	87 84–87	$87,795/yr	High	17.0x
3	Nursing Western Connecticut State University · Danbury, CT	87 84–87	$86,600/yr	High	17.4x
4	Information Sciences Central Connecticut State University · New Britain, CT	86 80–87	$69,334/yr	Very High	20.0x
5	Information Sciences University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus · Waterbury, CT	86 80–87	$75,649/yr	Very High	16.6x
6	Computer Science University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus · Waterbury, CT	86 79–88	$79,605/yr	Very High	17.3x
7	Information Sciences University of Connecticut-Avery Point · Groton, CT	86 80–87	$75,649/yr	Very High	16.6x
8	Computer Science University of Connecticut-Avery Point · Groton, CT	86 79–88	$79,605/yr	Very High	17.3x
9	Information Sciences University of Connecticut-Stamford · Stamford, CT	86 80–87	$75,649/yr	Very High	16.5x
10	Computer Science University of Connecticut-Stamford · Stamford, CT	86 79–88	$79,605/yr	Very High	17.3x
11	Information Sciences University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus · Hartford, CT	86 80–87	$75,649/yr	Very High	16.6x
12	Computer Science University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus · Hartford, CT	86 79–88	$79,605/yr	Very High	17.3x
13	Information Sciences University of Connecticut · Storrs, CT	85 78–86	$75,649/yr	Very High	14.1x
14	Computer Science University of Connecticut · Storrs, CT	85 78–86	$79,605/yr	Very High	14.7x
15	Nursing University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus · Waterbury, CT	84 81–84	$84,969/yr	High	12.4x
16	Management Science University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus · Waterbury, CT	84 80–85	$71,600/yr	Very High	13.8x
17	Nursing University of Connecticut-Avery Point · Groton, CT	84 81–84	$84,969/yr	High	12.4x
18	Management Science University of Connecticut-Avery Point · Groton, CT	84 80–85	$71,600/yr	Very High	13.8x
19	Nursing University of Connecticut-Stamford · Stamford, CT	84 81–84	$84,969/yr	High	12.4x
20	Management Science University of Connecticut-Stamford · Stamford, CT	84 80–85	$71,600/yr	Very High	13.8x
21	Nursing University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus · Hartford, CT	84 81–84	$84,969/yr	High	12.4x
22	Management Science University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus · Hartford, CT	84 80–85	$71,600/yr	Very High	13.8x
23	Nursing Goodwin University · East Hartford, CT	83 80–83	$89,747/yr	High	11.0x
24	Information Sciences Yale University · New Haven, CT	83 78–84	$133,293/yr	Very High	9.5x
25	Finance University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus · Waterbury, CT	83 80–84	$67,009/yr	Very High	14.0x
26	Finance University of Connecticut-Avery Point · Groton, CT	83 80–84	$67,009/yr	Very High	14.0x
27	Finance University of Connecticut-Stamford · Stamford, CT	83 80–84	$67,009/yr	Very High	14.0x
28	Finance University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus · Hartford, CT	83 80–84	$67,009/yr	Very High	14.0x
29	Nursing University of Connecticut · Storrs, CT	82 79–82	$84,969/yr	High	10.5x
30	Management Science University of Connecticut · Storrs, CT	82 79–83	$71,600/yr	Very High	11.7x
31	Computer Engineering University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus · Waterbury, CT	82 75–84	$82,924/yr	Very High	14.6x
32	Computer Engineering University of Connecticut-Avery Point · Groton, CT	82 75–84	$82,924/yr	Very High	14.6x
33	Computer Engineering University of Connecticut-Stamford · Stamford, CT	82 75–84	$82,924/yr	Very High	14.5x
34	Computer Engineering University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus · Hartford, CT	82 75–84	$82,924/yr	Very High	14.6x
35	Health and Medical Administrative Services Charter Oak State College · New Britain, CT	81 77–82	$69,160/yr	High	21.4x
36	Finance University of Connecticut · Storrs, CT	81 79–82	$67,009/yr	Very High	11.9x
37	Accounting University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus · Waterbury, CT	81 78–83	$70,945/yr	Very High	12.6x
38	Accounting University of Connecticut-Avery Point · Groton, CT	81 78–83	$70,945/yr	Very High	12.6x
39	Accounting University of Connecticut-Stamford · Stamford, CT	81 78–83	$70,945/yr	Very High	12.6x
40	Accounting University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus · Hartford, CT	81 78–83	$70,945/yr	Very High	12.6x
41	Computer Engineering University of Connecticut · Storrs, CT	80 74–82	$82,924/yr	Very High	12.3x
42	Construction Management Central Connecticut State University · New Britain, CT	79 77–80	$65,470/yr	High	17.5x
43	Business Administration Charter Oak State College · New Britain, CT	79 73–79	$62,742/yr	High	20.4x
44	Accounting University of Connecticut · Storrs, CT	79 76–81	$70,945/yr	Very High	10.6x
45	Nursing University of Hartford · West Hartford, CT	78 75–78	$106,348/yr	High	4.7x
46	Information Sciences Southern Connecticut State University · New Haven, CT	78 72–79	$58,480/yr	Very High	14.2x
47	Accounting Western Connecticut State University · Danbury, CT	78 75–80	$58,144/yr	Very High	14.3x
48	IT Management Central Connecticut State University · New Britain, CT	77 71–79	$55,134/yr	Very High	15.3x
49	Nursing Sacred Heart University · Fairfield, CT	77 73–77	$90,830/yr	High	4.2x
50	Nursing Quinnipiac University · Hamden, CT	76 72–76	$84,856/yr	High	3.7x
51	Accounting Central Connecticut State University · New Britain, CT	75 71–76	$52,758/yr	Very High	13.2x
52	Finance Central Connecticut State University · New Britain, CT	75 72–76	$51,282/yr	Very High	13.4x
53	Nursing Fairfield University · Fairfield, CT	75 72–76	$91,418/yr	High	3.4x
54	Nursing University of Saint Joseph · West Hartford, CT	75 72–75	$86,555/yr	High	4.0x
55	Accounting Fairfield University · Fairfield, CT	74 71–76	$71,747/yr	Very High	3.9x
56	Finance Fairfield University · Fairfield, CT	74 72–75	$62,952/yr	Very High	4.2x
57	Finance Western Connecticut State University · Danbury, CT	74 72–75	$46,470/yr	Very High	14.1x
58	Civil Engineering Central Connecticut State University · New Britain, CT	73 71–75	$71,859/yr	High	17.6x
59	Mechanical Engineering Central Connecticut State University · New Britain, CT	73 70–74	$74,676/yr	Very High	17.3x
60	Business Administration Central Connecticut State University · New Britain, CT	73 66–73	$49,098/yr	High	14.1x
61	Accounting Post University · Waterbury, CT	73 70–75	$59,213/yr	Very High	9.7x
62	Accounting Quinnipiac University · Hamden, CT	73 70–75	$75,566/yr	Very High	3.6x
63	Information Sciences Western Connecticut State University · Danbury, CT	73 66–74	$77,969/yr	Very High	14.3x
64	Economics Yale University · New Haven, CT	73 69–75	$82,617/yr	Very High	4.1x
65	Business Administration University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus · Waterbury, CT	73 67–74	$57,842/yr	High	10.7x
66	Business Administration University of Connecticut-Avery Point · Groton, CT	73 67–74	$57,842/yr	High	10.7x
67	Business Administration University of Connecticut-Stamford · Stamford, CT	73 67–74	$57,842/yr	High	10.7x
68	Business Administration University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus · Hartford, CT	73 67–74	$57,842/yr	High	10.7x
69	IT Management Charter Oak State College · New Britain, CT	72 67–74	$68,659/yr	Very High	19.2x
70	Business Administration University of Connecticut · Storrs, CT	71 65–72	$57,842/yr	High	9.1x
71	Economics Trinity College · Hartford, CT	71 67–72	$71,191/yr	Very High	3.6x
72	Electrical Engineering University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus · Waterbury, CT	71 67–72	$77,411/yr	Very High	13.2x
73	Electrical Engineering University of Connecticut-Avery Point · Groton, CT	71 67–72	$77,411/yr	Very High	13.2x
74	Electrical Engineering University of Connecticut-Stamford · Stamford, CT	71 67–72	$77,411/yr	Very High	13.2x
75	Electrical Engineering University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus · Hartford, CT	71 67–72	$77,411/yr	Very High	13.2x
76	Mechanical Engineering Technology Central Connecticut State University · New Britain, CT	70 70–71	$73,788/yr	Moderate	16.6x
77	Business Administration Post University · Waterbury, CT	70 64–70	$61,704/yr	High	9.1x
78	Information Sciences Sacred Heart University · Fairfield, CT	70 63–71	$58,214/yr	Very High	3.8x
79	Accounting Sacred Heart University · Fairfield, CT	70 67–72	$60,375/yr	Very High	3.7x
80	Finance Sacred Heart University · Fairfield, CT	70 67–71	$56,081/yr	Very High	3.8x
81	Mechanical Engineering University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus · Waterbury, CT	70 67–71	$74,869/yr	Very High	12.4x
82	Economics University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus · Waterbury, CT	70 66–71	$52,227/yr	Very High	10.5x
83	Mechanical Engineering University of Connecticut-Avery Point · Groton, CT	70 67–71	$74,869/yr	Very High	12.4x
84	Economics University of Connecticut-Avery Point · Groton, CT	70 66–71	$52,227/yr	Very High	10.5x
85	Mechanical Engineering University of Connecticut-Stamford · Stamford, CT	70 67–71	$74,869/yr	Very High	12.4x
86	Economics University of Connecticut-Stamford · Stamford, CT	70 66–71	$52,227/yr	Very High	10.5x
87	Mechanical Engineering University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus · Hartford, CT	70 67–71	$74,869/yr	Very High	12.4x
88	Economics University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus · Hartford, CT	70 66–71	$52,227/yr	Very High	10.5x
89	Management Information Systems Central Connecticut State University · New Britain, CT	69 62–71	$65,486/yr	Very High	16.7x
90	Electrical Engineering University of Connecticut · Storrs, CT	69 65–70	$77,411/yr	Very High	11.2x
91	Economics Fairfield University · Fairfield, CT	69 65–70	$74,023/yr	Very High	3.3x
92	Civil Engineering University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus · Waterbury, CT	69 67–70	$70,388/yr	High	12.0x
93	Civil Engineering University of Connecticut-Avery Point · Groton, CT	69 67–70	$70,388/yr	High	12.0x
94	Civil Engineering University of Connecticut-Stamford · Stamford, CT	69 67–70	$70,388/yr	High	12.0x
95	Civil Engineering University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus · Hartford, CT	69 67–70	$70,388/yr	High	12.0x
96	Industrial Production Technology Central Connecticut State University · New Britain, CT	68 67–68	$74,889/yr	Moderate	15.7x
97	Economics Connecticut College · New London, CT	68 64–69	$62,732/yr	Very High	3.2x
98	Mechanical Engineering University of Connecticut · Storrs, CT	68 65–70	$74,869/yr	Very High	10.5x
99	Economics University of Connecticut · Storrs, CT	68 64–69	$52,227/yr	Very High	8.9x
100	Business Eastern Connecticut State University · Willimantic, CT	68 64–69	$44,048/yr	High	12.5x

FAQ

Frequently asked

What is the best college program in Connecticut?

By DegreeOutlook Score, Nursing at Central Connecticut State University ranks #1 in Connecticut with a score of 87/100 and graduate earnings of $83,012/yr.

How many college programs are in Connecticut?

Our database includes 533 programs across Connecticut colleges with reported earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education.