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2023 Best Nursing Schools in Connecticut

18 Schools Ranked
$47,698 Average Earnings
$31,832 Avg Student Debt

Today's nursing students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

The Best Nursing Schools in Connecticut ranking is one of many tools that Nursing Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 18 schools in Connecticut to see which ones offered the best programs for nursing students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Nursing Schools in Connecticut

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut
5,297 Total Awards
$64,868 Average Earnings
$62,951 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Yale University to be the best school for nursing students in Connecticut. Yale is located in New Haven, Connecticut and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 5,297 degrees to qualified students.

Degree recipients from Yale accumulate an average of $62,951 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Yale, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $64,868 during the early years of their career.

Full Yale University Report

#2

Fairfield University

Fairfield, Connecticut
1,793 Total Awards
$59,065 Average Earnings
$37,156 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Fairfield University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Connecticut list. Fairfield, Connecticut is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 1,793 students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $37,156 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $670.After graduating from Fairfield U, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $59,065 during the early years of their career.

Full Fairfield University Report

#3

Quinnipiac University

Hamden, Connecticut
3,108 Total Awards
$61,041 Average Earnings
$43,715 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Quinnipiac University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Nursing Schools in Connecticut list. Quinnipiac is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Hamden, Connecticut. It awarded 3,108 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $43,715 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $1,061.After graduating from Quinnipiac, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $61,041 during the early years of their career.

Full Quinnipiac University Report

#4

Gateway Community College

New Haven, Connecticut
763 Total Awards
$39,822 Average Earnings
$6,908 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Gateway Community College is a great place for nursing students. Located in New Haven, Connecticut, the medium-sized public school awarded 763 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $6,908 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Gateway Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,822 during the early years of their career.

Full Gateway Community College Report

#5

Sacred Heart University

Fairfield, Connecticut
2,886 Total Awards
$51,043 Average Earnings
$36,009 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 18 schools in Connecticut that were part of this year’s ranking, Sacred Heart University landed the # 5 spot on the list. Sacred Heart is located in Fairfield, Connecticut and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,886 degrees to qualified students.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $36,009 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $828. During the early years of their career, Sacred Heart graduates make an average of $51,043 annually.

Full Sacred Heart University Report

#6

Charter Oak State College

New Britain, Connecticut
612 Total Awards
$51,252 Average Earnings
$21,697 Avg Student Debt

Charter Oak State College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Connecticut list. Charter Oak State College is located in New Britain, Connecticut and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 612 degrees to qualified students.

Degree recipients from Charter Oak State College accumulate an average of $21,697 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Charter Oak State College graduates make an average of $51,252 annually.

Full Charter Oak State College Report

#7

Capital Community College

Hartford, Connecticut
267 Total Awards
$39,412 Average Earnings
$8,501 Avg Student Debt

Capital Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Connecticut ranking. Capital Community College is a public institution located in Hartford, Connecticut. The school has a small population, and it awarded 267 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $8,501 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Capital Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,412 during the early year of their career.

Full Capital Community College Report

#8

University of Saint Joseph

West Hartford, Connecticut
879 Total Awards
$68,662 Average Earnings
$49,787 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #8, University of Saint Joseph did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Located in West Hartford, Connecticut, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 879 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $49,787 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $428, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from USJ, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $68,662 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on University of Saint Joseph

#9

University of Connecticut

Storrs, Connecticut
8,782 Total Awards
$51,207 Average Earnings
$35,111 Avg Student Debt

University of Connecticut came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Connecticut ranking. Storrs, Connecticut is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 8,782 students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $35,111 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $489 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UCONN, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,207 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#10

Naugatuck Valley Community College

Waterbury, Connecticut
809 Total Awards
$44,142 Average Earnings
$8,768 Avg Student Debt

Naugatuck Valley Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Connecticut list. Naugatuck Valley Community College is located in Waterbury, Connecticut and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 809 degrees to qualified students.

On average, students take out $8,768 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Naugatuck Valley Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,142 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#11

Central Connecticut State University

New Britain, Connecticut
2,354 Total Awards
$50,974 Average Earnings
$28,705 Avg Student Debt

Central Connecticut State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #11 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in New Britain, Connecticut, and it awarded 2,354 degrees in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from CCSU accumulate an average of $28,705 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $186, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from CCSU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,974 during the early years of their career.

Full Central Connecticut State University Report

#12

University of Hartford

West Hartford, Connecticut
1,874 Total Awards
$47,236 Average Earnings
$38,476 Avg Student Debt

University of Hartford landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. UHart is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in West Hartford, Connecticut. It awarded 1,874 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $38,476 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $690 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UHart graduates make an average of $47,236 annually.

Read full report on University of Hartford

#13

Norwalk Community College

Norwalk, Connecticut
524 Total Awards
$45,067 Average Earnings
$17,662 Avg Student Debt

Norwalk Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in Norwalk, Connecticut, the small public school awarded 524 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,662 in student loans.After graduating from NCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,067 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Norwalk Community College

#14

Western Connecticut State University

Danbury, Connecticut
1,126 Total Awards
$39,393 Average Earnings
$24,458 Avg Student Debt

Western Connecticut State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Connecticut ranking. Located in Danbury, Connecticut, the small public school awarded 1,126 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $24,458 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $313 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, WestConn graduates make an average of $39,393 annually.

Read full report on Western Connecticut State University

#15

Three Rivers Community College

Norwich, Connecticut
424 Total Awards
$40,370 Average Earnings
$11,798 Avg Student Debt

Three Rivers Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in Norwich, Connecticut, the small public school handed out 424 degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,798 in student loans.After graduating from Three Rivers Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,370 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#16

Southern Connecticut State University

New Haven, Connecticut
2,387 Total Awards
$44,316 Average Earnings
$27,466 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #16, Southern Connecticut State University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. New Haven, Connecticut is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,387 students in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from SCSU accumulate an average of $27,466 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $284, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, SCSU graduates make an average of $44,316 annually.

Read full report on Southern Connecticut State University

182 Total Awards
$37,024 Average Earnings
$8,747 Avg Student Debt

Northwestern Connecticut Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Connecticut list. Winsted, Connecticut is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 182 students in 2021-2022.

Degree recipients from NCCC accumulate an average of $8,747 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, NCCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,024 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#18

University of Bridgeport

Bridgeport, Connecticut
1,083 Total Awards
$45,763 Average Earnings
$58,685 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #18, University of Bridgeport did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. UBridgeport is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It awarded 1,083 degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, students take out $58,685 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $386 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UBridgeport graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,763 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on University of Bridgeport

Best Nursing Schools in the New England Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 18 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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