The Most Affordable Colleges in Connecticut That Actually Graduate Their Students
Eastern Connecticut State University offers the strongest combination of affordability and graduation rate among public colleges in Connecticut, graduating 58% of students within six years at $14,498 in-state tuition. This ranking covers Connecticut’s public four-year colleges, ranked by six-year graduation rate per thousand dollars of in-state tuition, using federal IPEDS data.
| Rank | College | City | 6-Year Grad Rate | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Median ACT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic | 58% | $14,498 | $18,528 | 20 |
| 2 | University of Connecticut | Storrs | 84% | $21,262 | $43,174 | 31 |
| 3 | Central Connecticut State University | New Britain | 49% | $13,488 | $26,186 | 22 |
| 4 | Western Connecticut State University | Danbury | 50% | $13,907 | $26,605 | 25 |
| 5 | Southern Connecticut State University | New Haven | 48% | $14,099 | $23,892 | N/A |
1. Eastern Connecticut State University
Willimantic, Connecticut
Eastern Connecticut State University graduates 58% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $14,498 per year. Out-of-state students pay $18,528. Median ACT: 20.
2. University of Connecticut
Storrs, Connecticut
University of Connecticut graduates 84% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $21,262 per year. Out-of-state students pay $43,174. Median ACT: 31.
3. Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, Connecticut
Central Connecticut State University graduates 49% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $13,488 per year. Out-of-state students pay $26,186. Median ACT: 22.
4. Western Connecticut State University
Danbury, Connecticut
Western Connecticut State University graduates 50% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $13,907 per year. Out-of-state students pay $26,605. Median ACT: 25.
5. Southern Connecticut State University
New Haven, Connecticut
Southern Connecticut State University graduates 48% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $14,099 per year. Out-of-state students pay $23,892.
How were these colleges ranked?
These rankings score each public four-year college in Connecticut by dividing its six-year graduation rate by its in-state tuition per thousand dollars. A school graduating 60% of students at $10,000 in-state tuition scores 6.0; one graduating 60% at $20,000 scores 3.0. Higher score means more degree completions per dollar spent.
Data comes from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the federal government’s official higher education database. Graduation rates reflect the most recent six-year cohort. Only public four-year bachelor’s-granting institutions with at least 100 students in the graduation cohort are included. The ranking covers 11 qualifying public institutions in Connecticut.
Source: IPEDS — National Center for Education Statistics
Data from IPEDS 2022 reporting year. Published September 2026.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only. Information and conditions are subject to change. Verify current details directly with the relevant source before making any decisions.
