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2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in Connecticut

Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

18 Schools Ranked
$28,319 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$21,440 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. Also there are many trade schools and bootcamps that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Nursing Degree Search has developed this Best Value Nursing Schools in Connecticut ranking. Our analysis looked at 18 schools in Connecticut to see which programs offered the best value experiences for nursing students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.

Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.

Top Value Nursing Schools in Connecticut

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Gateway Community College

New Haven, Connecticut
84 Total Awards
$13,448 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Gateway Community College the best value school in Connecticut for nursing students working on their degree. Gateway Community College is located in New Haven, Connecticut and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 84 degrees to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Gateway Community College are $13,448 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,572 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Gateway Community College graduates make an average of $39,822 annually.

Gateway Community College did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our Best Nursing Schools in Connecticut list.

Read full report on Gateway Community College

#2

Capital Community College

Hartford, Connecticut
126 Total Awards
$13,548 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Capital Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in Connecticut list. Located in Hartford, Connecticut, the small public school handed out 126 degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Capital Community College are $13,548 per year. On average, students take out $14,729 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.

Read full report on Capital Community College

#3

Naugatuck Valley Community College

Waterbury, Connecticut
117 Total Awards
$13,468 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Naugatuck Valley Community College is a great place for nursing students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. Located in Waterbury, Connecticut, the small public school handed out 117 degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Naugatuck Valley Community College are $13,468 a year. On average, students take out $13,681 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 full report on Naugatuck Valley Community College

#4

Norwalk Community College

Norwalk, Connecticut
75 Total Awards
$13,538 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent programs at Norwalk Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value nursing schools in Connecticut. Norwalk, Connecticut is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 75 students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NCC are $13,538 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $15,629 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from NCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,067 during the early years of their career.

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#5

Three Rivers Community College

Norwich, Connecticut
61 Total Awards
$13,548 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent programs at Three Rivers Community College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value nursing schools in Connecticut. Norwich, Connecticut is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 61 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Three Rivers Community College are $13,548 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $11,308 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Three Rivers Community College graduates make an average of $40,370 annually.

Read full report on Three Rivers Community College

27 Total Awards
$13,508 Average Tuition & Fees

Northwestern Connecticut Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #6 on the list. This small public school is located in Winsted, Connecticut, and it awarded 27 degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at NCCC are $13,508 a year. On average, students take out $12,682 in loans while pursuing 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.

Full Northwestern Connecticut Community College Report

#7

Charter Oak State College

New Britain, Connecticut
12 Total Awards
$10,654 Average Tuition & Fees

Charter Oak State College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Connecticut ranking. Located in New Britain, Connecticut, the small public school handed out 12 degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Charter Oak State College are $10,654 a year. On average, students take out $27,866 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Charter Oak State College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,252 during the early year of their career.

Full Charter Oak State College Report

#8

Central Connecticut State University

New Britain, Connecticut
92 Total Awards
$24,946 Average Tuition & Fees

Central Connecticut State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Connecticut ranking. CCSU is a public institution located in New Britain, Connecticut. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 92 degrees in 2020-2021.

CCSU undergraduate students pay an average of $24,946 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $24,350 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $165. During the early years of their career, CCSU graduates make an average of $50,974 annually.

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#9

Western Connecticut State University

Danbury, Connecticut
92 Total Awards
$25,185 Average Tuition & Fees

Western Connecticut State University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. This small public school is located in Danbury, Connecticut, and it awarded 92 degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at WestConn are $25,185 a year. On average, students take out $24,979 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $242. During the early years of their career, WestConn graduates make an average of $39,393 annually.

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#10

Southern Connecticut State University

New Haven, Connecticut
114 Total Awards
$25,286 Average Tuition & Fees

Southern Connecticut State University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. New Haven, Connecticut is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 114 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at SCSU are $25,286 a year. On average, students take out $24,577 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $207, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, SCSU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,316 during the early year of their career.

Full Southern Connecticut State University Report

#11

University of Connecticut

Storrs, Connecticut
340 Total Awards
$41,192 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Connecticut landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. UCONN is a large public school situated in Storrs, Connecticut. It awarded 340 degrees in 2020-2021.

UCONN undergraduate students pay an average of $41,192 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $22,048 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $416. Once they receive their degree, UCONN graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,207 during the early year of their career.

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#11

University of Hartford

West Hartford, Connecticut
59 Total Awards
$44,885 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Hartford landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. UHart is located in West Hartford, Connecticut and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 59 degrees to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UHart are $44,885 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $25,927 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $565, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UHart graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,236 during the early year of their career.

Full University of Hartford Report

#13

University of Saint Joseph

West Hartford, Connecticut
143 Total Awards
$43,084 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Saint Joseph came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Connecticut ranking. USJ is a small private not-for-profit school situated in West Hartford, Connecticut. It awarded 143 degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at USJ are $43,084 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,243 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $459 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, USJ graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $68,662 during the early year of their career.

Full University of Saint Joseph Report

#14

Fairfield University

Fairfield, Connecticut
242 Total Awards
$52,870 Average Tuition & Fees

Fairfield University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #14 on the list. Fairfield U is a private not-for-profit institution located in Fairfield, Connecticut. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 242 degrees in 2020-2021.

Fairfield U undergraduate students pay an average of $52,870 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,662 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $598 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Fairfield U graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $59,065 during the early year of their career.

Fairfield U did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our Best Nursing Schools in Connecticut list.

Read More…

#15

Quinnipiac University

Hamden, Connecticut
350 Total Awards
$51,270 Average Tuition & Fees

Quinnipiac University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #15 on the list. Located in Hamden, Connecticut, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 350 degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Quinnipiac are $51,270 per year. On average, students take out $22,854 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $884. Once they receive their degree, Quinnipiac graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $61,041 during the early year of their career.

Quinnipiac also took the #3 spot in our Best Nursing Schools in Connecticut rankings.

Read More…

#16

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut
131 Total Awards
$59,950 Average Tuition & Fees

Yale University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Connecticut list. Located in New Haven, Connecticut, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 131 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Yale are $59,950 a year. On average, students take out $15,684 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Yale graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $64,868 during the early year of their career.

Yale also made our Best Nursing Schools in Connecticut list, coming in at #1.

Read More…

#17

Sacred Heart University

Fairfield, Connecticut
499 Total Awards
$45,230 Average Tuition & Fees

Sacred Heart University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #17 on the list. Located in Fairfield, Connecticut, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 499 degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Sacred Heart are $45,230 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $24,848 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $657, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Sacred Heart, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,043 during the early years of their career.

Sacred Heart not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #5 on our Best Nursing Schools in Connecticut list.

Read full report on Sacred Heart University

#18

University of Bridgeport

Bridgeport, Connecticut
179 Total Awards
$35,760 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Bridgeport landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. UBridgeport is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It awarded 179 degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UBridgeport are $35,760 per year. On average, students take out $28,053 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $258, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UBridgeport, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,763 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Bridgeport Report

Best Value 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

  • 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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