Connecticut is the southernmost state in New England, located in the Northeastern United States. It borders Long Island Sound to the south and is within close reach of major metropolitan areas like New York City and Boston.
With a population of about 3.6 million, Connecticut combines urban centers such as Hartford, New Haven, and Stamford with scenic small towns and coastal communities.
The state’s economy is highly developed, with strengths in finance, insurance, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, biotechnology, and education.
Major corporations, research hubs, and healthcare systems provide students with internship and employment opportunities directly connected to their studies.
In this guideTuition and Fee Overview in Connecticut
Tuition and fees in Connecticut vary depending on whether you attend a public university, community college, or private institution. Public colleges generally offer more affordable rates for in-state residents, while out-of-state students pay higher costs.
For associate degrees, tuition starts at $18,480 at CT State Community College and goes up to $37,740 at Post University, with an average of $29,052 across five schools:
Associate degree programs in Connecticut
CT State Community College
Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, Manchester, Middletown, Waterbury, Norwalk, Danielson, Norwich, Farmington, Enfield and Winsted, Connecticut
Delivery method: Online
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $308 in-state | $903 out-of-state
Total tuition per credit: $22,484 in-state | $65,919 out-of-state
Credits: 60-73
Number of degree programs: 5
Learn more: Program detailsCharter Oak State College
New Britain, ConnecticutDelivery method: Online
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $329
Total tuition per credit: $19,740
Credits: 60
Number of degree programs: 1
Learn more: Program detailsGoodwin University
East Hartford, ConnecticutDelivery method: Online
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $555 - $666
Total tuition per credit: $33,300 - $43,290
Credits: 60-65
Number of degree programs: 4
Learn more: Program detailsAlbertus Magnus College
New Haven, ConnecticutDelivery method: Online
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $600
Total tuition per credit: $36,000
Credits: 60
Number of degree programs: 3
Learn more: Program detailsPost University
Waterbury, ConnecticutDelivery method: Online
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $629
Total tuition per credit: $37,740
Credits: 60
Number of degree programs: 6
Learn more: Program details
Tuition and cost data in this table, researched in July 2025 from university websites, are statewide averages and exclude additional costs like housing, meals, books, and fees. Rates are subject to change; verify current information directly with institutions.
Community and technical colleges provide cost-effective pathways with lower per-credit charges, making them popular for students seeking affordable degree options.
Bachelor’s programs are more expensive, beginning at $39,480 at Charter Oak State College and reaching as high as $189,840 at the University of New Haven, averaging $90,028 among nine schools:
Bachelor’s degree programs in Connecticut
Charter Oak State College
New Britain, ConnecticutDelivery method: Online
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $329
Total tuition per credit: $39,480
Credits: 120
Number of degree programs: 16
Learn more: Program detailsUniversity of Bridgeport
Bridgeport, ConnecticutDelivery method: Online
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $575
Total tuition per credit: $69,000
Credits: 120
Number of degree programs: 3
Learn more: Program detailsAlbertus Magnus College
New Haven, ConnecticutDelivery method: Online
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $600
Total tuition per credit: $72,000
Credits: 120
Number of degree programs: 13
Learn more: Program detailsPost University
Waterbury, ConnecticutDelivery method: Online
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $629
Total tuition per credit: $75,480
Credits: 120
Number of degree programs: 4
Learn more: Program detailsSacred Heart University
Fairfield, ConnecticutDelivery method: Online
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $650
Total tuition per credit: $78,000
Credits: 120
Number of degree programs: 3
Learn more: Program detailsGoodwin University
East Hartford, ConnecticutDelivery method: Online
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $555 - $666
Total tuition per credit: $66,600 - $81,252
Credits: 120-122
Learn more: Program detailsSouthern Connecticut State University
New Haven, ConnecticutDelivery method: Online
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $800
Total tuition per credit: $96,000
Credits: 120
Number of degree programs: 6
Learn more: Program detailsQuinnipiac University
Hamden, ConnecticutDelivery method: Online
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $910
Total tuition per credit: $109,200
Credits: 120
Number of degree programs: 19
Learn more: Program detailsUniversity of New Haven
West Haven, ConnecticutDelivery method: Online
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $1,582
Total tuition per credit: $189,840
Credits: 120
Number of degree programs: 7
Learn more: Program details
Tuition and cost data in this table, researched in July 2025 from university websites, are statewide averages and exclude additional costs like housing, meals, books, and fees. Rates are subject to change; verify current information directly with institutions.
Meanwhile, Connecticut’s private universities typically carry higher tuition, but many students offset these costs through scholarships, grants, and financial aid.
While Master’s degrees are comparatively more affordable, with tuition ranging from $17,457 at Charter Oak State College to $82,836 at the University of Connecticut, and an average cost of $45,526 across 14 schools:
Master’s degree programs in Connecticut
Charter Oak State College
New Britain, ConnecticutDelivery method: Online
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $529
Total tuition per credit: $15,870 - $17,457
Credits: 30 - 33
Number of degree programs: 4
Learn more: Program detailsEastern Connecticut State University
Willimantic, ConnecticutDelivery method: Online
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $750
Total tuition per credit: $22,500
Credits: 30
Number of degree programs: 4
Learn more: Program detailsPost University
Waterbury, ConnecticutDelivery method: Online
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $588 - $689
Total tuition per credit: $17,640 - $24,804
Credits: 30 - 36
Number of degree programs: 14
Learn more: Program detailsAlbertus Magnus College
New Haven, ConnecticutDelivery method: Online
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $842 - $1,053
Total tuition per credit: $25,260 - $31,590
Credits: 30
Number of degree programs: 10
Learn more: Program detailsCentral Connecticut State University
New Britain, ConnecticutDelivery method: Online
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $809 in-state | $825 out-of-state
Total tuition per credit: $32, 360 in-state | $33,000 out-of-state
Credits: 30-40
Number of degree programs: 5
Learn more: Program detailsUniversity of Saint Joseph
West Hartford, ConnecticutDelivery method: Online
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $728 - $1,007
Total tuition per credit: $21,840 - $36,252
Credits: 30 - 36
Number of degree programs: 8
Learn more: Program detailsWestern Connecticut State University
Danbury, ConnecticutDelivery method: Online
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $836 in-state | $1,078 out-of-state
Total tuition per credit: $25,065 - $38,794
Credits: 30 - 36
Number of degree programs: 3
Learn more: Program detailsUniversity of Bridgeport
Bridgeport, ConnecticutDelivery method: Online
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $625 in-state | $745 out-of-state
Total tuition per credit: $37,500 in-state | $44,700 out-of-state
Credits: 42-60
Number of degree programs: 11
Learn more: Program detailsGoodwin University
East Hartford, ConnecticutDelivery method: Online
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $605 - $949
Total tuition per credit: $18,150 - $47,450
Credits: 30-50
Number of degree programs: 5
Learn more: Program detailsSouthern Connecticut State University
New Haven, ConnecticutDelivery method: Online
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $945
Total tuition per credit: $28,350 - $56,700
Credits: 30 - 60
Number of degree programs: 47
Learn more: Program detailsSacred Heart University
Fairfield, ConnecticutDelivery method: Online
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $965 - $1,010
Total tuition per credit: $34,740 - $63,630
Credits: 36 - 63
Number of degree programs: 15
Learn more: Program detailsUniversity of New Haven
West Haven, ConnecticutDelivery method: Online
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $796 - $1,092
Total tuition per credit: $23,880 - $65,520
Credits: 30 - 60
Number of degree programs: 16
Learn more: Program detailsQuinnipiac University
Hamden, ConnecticutDelivery method: Online
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $1,060 - $1,145
Total tuition per credit: $66,780 - $72,135
Credits: 63
Number of degree programs: 18
Learn more: Program detailsUniversity of Connecticut
Storrs, ConnecticutDelivery method: Online
2024/2025 Cost per credit: $1,084 in-state | $2,301 out-of-state
Total tuition per credit: $32,520 - $82,836
Credits: 30 - 36
Number of degree programs: 17
Learn more: Program details
Tuition and cost data in this table, researched in July 2025 from university websites, are statewide averages and exclude additional costs like housing, meals, books, and fees. Rates are subject to change; verify current information directly with institutions.
Notable Statewide Initiatives in Connecticut
- Pledge to Advance Connecticut (PACT): Offers tuition-free community college for first-time, full-time students who complete the FAFSA.
- Connecticut Student Loan Reimbursement Program: Provides up to $5,000 annually to graduates who stay and work in the state.
Minority Teacher Incentive Grants: Supports underrepresented students pursuing teaching careers. - Waterbury Promise Scholarship Program: Provides up to $5,000 annually for eligible city students attending in-state schools.
These initiatives ensure that financial support aligns with workforce needs, encouraging students to remain in Connecticut after graduation.
Cost of Attendance Beyond Tuition
- Room and Board: This is often the second-largest expense. At public universities, it can cost an estimated $15,000 to $17,000 per year. At private schools, it can be higher.
- Books and Supplies: Students should budget around $800 to $1,000 annually for books, course materials, and equipment.
- Transportation: Travel costs, especially for students commuting or traveling home, can add up. Intra-state travel is often affordable, but students should factor in gas, parking, or public transportation passes like the U-Pass, which is a bus pass for eligible students.
- Living Costs: The cost of living in Connecticut varies greatly. Campuses in metro areas like Stamford or New Haven will have higher costs for personal expenses and off-campus housing compared to those in more rural areas of the state.
Financial Aid & Sponsorship
- Federal Aid: FAFSA-based Pell Grants, subsidized loans, and work-study programs.
- State Aid: PACT tuition-free program, state grants, and targeted scholarships.
- Institutional Aid: Yale, Wesleyan, and other private schools meet significant portions of financial need.
- Special Programs: Employer partnerships, teacher incentive programs, and community-based sponsorships.
These financial aid opportunities help Connecticut students reduce student loan dependency and improve access to higher education.
For step-by-step assistance with completing the FAFSA, visit the FAFSA resource. To discover scholarship opportunities in Illinois, be sure to explore this guide: Finding Scholarships.
Conclusion
Connecticut stands out for its strong higher education system, blending affordable public options, prestigious private universities, and robust statewide financial aid.
With initiatives like PACT and loan reimbursement programs, the state is investing in its students and ensuring that cost is less of a barrier to degree completion.
Whether seeking affordability, research excellence, or career-focused education, Connecticut offers pathways to success in higher education and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Through the Pledge to Advance Connecticut (PACT) program, first-time, full-time students at Connecticut State Community College can attend tuition-free if they complete the FAFSA.
Tuition at public universities like UConn and Connecticut State Universities typically ranges from $12,000–$16,000 per year for in-state students, and $30,000–$40,000 for out-of-state students.
CT State Community College tuition is about $4,600 annually for in-state students and $13,000 for out-of-state students, making it the most affordable higher education option in the state.
Private colleges in Connecticut, such as Yale, Wesleyan, and Fairfield University, often list tuition above $40,000 per year, with elite schools like Yale approaching $90,000 including housing and fees. However, they offer generous financial aid to reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Students can access programs like PACT (free community college), the Connecticut Student Loan Reimbursement Program, Minority Teacher Incentive Grants, and city-based aid such as the Waterbury Promise Scholarship.