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2026 Best Nursing Schools in Connecticut

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2026 Best Nursing Schools in Connecticut

Looking for the best Nursing degree programs in Connecticut? Our ranking highlights 53 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.

To arm you with the information you need, Nursing Degree Search evaluated 41 schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.

Top 25 Nursing Degree Schools in Connecticut

Explore the leading schools below:

#1

Yale University

New Haven, CT

Our analysis found Yale University to be the best Nursing school in Connecticut. Based in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Yale University Nursing students take on a median of $14,357 in debt. See the full Yale University profile

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#2

Fairfield University

Fairfield, CT

Out of the 41 schools in Connecticut in this year's ranking, Fairfield University landed the #2 spot. Set in Fairfield, CT, Fairfield University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $58,400. Graduates carry a median of $26,687 in student loans. Read the full report on Fairfield University

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#3

Quinnipiac University

Hamden, CT

Out of the 41 schools in Connecticut in this year's ranking, Quinnipiac University landed the #3 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hamden, CT. Quinnipiac University graduates 76% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $55,480. Typical Nursing student debt is $25,926. Get the full Quinnipiac University report

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#5

Sacred Heart University

Fairfield, CT

A rank of #5 makes Sacred Heart University one of the top choices in Connecticut. Located in Fairfield, CT, Sacred Heart University is a private not-for-profit institution. Sacred Heart University posts a six-year graduation rate of 74%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,404. Graduates carry a median of $25,831 in student loans. Read more about Sacred Heart University

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#6

Charter Oak State College

New Britain, CT

Charter Oak State College did well this year, earning the #6 position. Charter Oak State College is a public school based in New Britain, CT. Roughly 100% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $8,506 in tuition and fees. Typical Nursing student debt is $23,584. See the full Charter Oak State College profile

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#7

Capital Community College

New Britain, CT

Capital Community College landed the #7 spot in Connecticut this year. Based in New Britain, CT, Capital Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans. More on Capital Community College

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#8

Saint Joseph College

West Hartford, CT

Saint Joseph College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in West Hartford, CT. Saint Joseph College posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,278. Students borrow a median of $27,798 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Saint Joseph College

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University Of Connecticut landed the #9 spot in Connecticut this year. Based in Storrs, CT, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. The median Nursing program debt is $23,637. Get the full University Of Connecticut report

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Central Connecticut State University landed the #11 spot in Connecticut this year. This public school is set in New Britain, CT. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,050, with out-of-state students paying around $16,550. Graduates carry a median of $24,340 in student loans. Read the full report on Central Connecticut State University

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#12

University Of Hartford

West Hartford, CT

University Of Hartford ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in West Hartford, CT, University Of Hartford is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Hartford graduates 58% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $49,075 in tuition and fees. University Of Hartford Nursing students take on a median of $25,648 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Hartford

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Western Connecticut State University placed #14 among Nursing schools in Connecticut. This public school is set in Danbury, CT. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,401, while out-of-state students pay about $16,901. The median Nursing program debt is $25,332. Read the full report on Western Connecticut State University

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Southern Connecticut State University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in New Haven, CT. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $13,442 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,942. Southern Connecticut State University Nursing students take on a median of $24,660 in debt. Read more about Southern Connecticut State University

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#18

University Of Bridgeport

Bridgeport, CT

University Of Bridgeport ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Bridgeport, CT, University Of Bridgeport is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Bridgeport graduates 41% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $35,760. Graduates carry a median of $28,601 in student loans. Read more about University Of Bridgeport

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University Of New Haven did well this year, earning the #14 position. See the full University Of New Haven profile

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Trinity College came in at #15 in this year's ranking. See the full Trinity College profile

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Mitchell College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Read the full report on Mitchell College

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Paier College Of Art Inc placed #17 among Nursing schools in Connecticut. Read more about Paier College Of Art Inc

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Hartford Seminary ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. See the full Hartford Seminary profile

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Rensselaer Hartford Graduate Center Inc placed #19 among Nursing schools in Connecticut. Read the full report on Rensselaer Hartford Graduate Center Inc

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Porter And Chester Institute Of Branford did well this year, earning the #20 position. See the full Porter And Chester Institute Of Branford profile

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Porter And Chester Institute Of Stratford came in at #21 in this year's ranking. More on Porter And Chester Institute Of Stratford

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University Of Connecticut Hartford Campus ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Read the full report on University Of Connecticut Hartford Campus

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Paul Mitchell The School North Haven came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Paul Mitchell The School North Haven

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Branford Academy Of Hair Cosmetology Bridgeport did well this year, earning the #24 position. Read more about Branford Academy Of Hair Cosmetology Bridgeport

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Arizona College Of Nursing Hartford landed the #25 spot in Connecticut this year. Read more about Arizona College Of Nursing Hartford

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Rest of the Top 50 Best Nursing Degree Schools in Connecticut

Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:

University Of Connecticut Tri Campus came in at #26 in this year's ranking. See the full University Of Connecticut Tri Campus profile

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Eastern Connecticut State University ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. More on Eastern Connecticut State University

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Lincoln Technical Institute Shelton placed #28 among Nursing schools in Connecticut. Read more about Lincoln Technical Institute Shelton

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University Of Connecticut Avery Point ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Get the full University Of Connecticut Avery Point report

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Post University came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Read more about Post University

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New England Tractor Trailer Training School Of Connecticut did well this year, earning the #31 position. See the full New England Tractor Trailer Training School Of Connecticut profile

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New England Tractor Trailer Training School Of Ct Bridgeport landed the #32 spot in Connecticut this year. Get the full New England Tractor Trailer Training School Of Ct Bridgeport report

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United States Coast Guard Academy came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on United States Coast Guard Academy

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Oxford Academy Of Hair Design Inc landed the #34 spot in Connecticut this year. Read more about Oxford Academy Of Hair Design Inc

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Goodwin College ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. More on Goodwin College

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Wesleyan University landed the #36 spot in Connecticut this year. Read the full report on Wesleyan University

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European Academy Of Cosmetology And Hairdressing placed #37 among Nursing schools in Connecticut. Read the full report on European Academy Of Cosmetology And Hairdressing

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American Institute West Hartford did well this year, earning the #38 position. Read more about American Institute West Hartford

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Belle Academy Of Cosmetology came in at #39 in this year's ranking. More on Belle Academy Of Cosmetology

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Connecticut Center For Massage Therapy Newington did well this year, earning the #40 position. Read more about Connecticut Center For Massage Therapy Newington

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Albertus Magnus College did well this year, earning the #41 position. More on Albertus Magnus College

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Dolce Llc The Academy landed the #42 spot in Connecticut this year. See the full Dolce Llc The Academy profile

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Lincoln Technical Institute New Britain did well this year, earning the #43 position. See the full Lincoln Technical Institute New Britain profile

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American Institute Of Healthcare And Technology came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Get the full American Institute Of Healthcare And Technology report

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Riccis Academy Of Cosmetology came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Riccis Academy Of Cosmetology

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Industrial Management Training Institute did well this year, earning the #46 position. More on Industrial Management Training Institute

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Lincoln Technical Institute East Windsor came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Read more about Lincoln Technical Institute East Windsor

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University Of Connecticut Stamford placed #48 among Nursing schools in Connecticut. See the full University Of Connecticut Stamford profile

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Branford Academy Of Hair And Cosmetology came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Read more about Branford Academy Of Hair And Cosmetology

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International Institute Of Cosmetology ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Get the full International Institute Of Cosmetology report

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More Nursing Rankings

Ranking Methodology & Notes

These rankings are produced by Nursing Degree Search (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

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