The Best Online Colleges in Connecticut

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Updated October 26, 2023

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The Constitution State takes its education seriously, with nearly 40% of the population holding at least a bachelor's degree — well above the national average.

Online education in Connecticut offers opportunities for learners of all ages. Leading institutions like Yale University and the University of Connecticut (UCONN) meet the needs of students through both free and for-credit online options.

The best colleges in Connecticut offer online coursework and programs that align with the state's expanding industries, such as manufacturing, information technology, and green energy production. For example, BLS reports that operations research analysts and software applications developers earn a median annual salary of $98,070 and $120,180, higher than the average annual salary in Connecticut. Both roles only require at least a bachelor's degree.

The Public Policy Institute at George Washington reported that, 70% of jobs in Connecticut would require postsecondary education, with 26% requiring a bachelor's degree. This indicates that the state will have a strong need for individuals who have bachelor's degrees.

Featured Online Schools

With a bachelor's degree in Connecticut, students are prepared to enter the labor force or advance within their current professions.

The Best Online Colleges in Connecticut

#1 The Best Online Colleges in Connecticut

Albertus Magnus College

  • New Haven, CT
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus
For many online degree-seekers, Albertus Magnus College is an attractive choice. A total of 21 online undergraduate and graduate programs are available through this private institution. Distance learners often choose this school because it has a proven track record in online education and a reputation for its academic strength.

Online learners can also receive assistance from career and academic service associates located at the school's physical campus in New Haven, Connecticut. Degree-seekers can get help planning their academic and professional futures with offerings such as academic advising and virtual career fairs. The internship program that the school offers helps many students prepare for their future careers. The program grants graduates an accredited degree upon completion.

Reach out to the school with any questions about what programs are available online and how to apply to them.

Albertus Magnus College at a Glance:

Online Student Enrollment: 692

Online Bachelor's Programs: 10

Online Master's Programs: 8

Percent of Programs Offered Online: 45%

Admission Rate: 83%

Accepts Transfer Credits: Data not available

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$32,770
Out-of-state
$32,770
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$20,520
Out-of-state
$20,520
Retention Rate
67%
Acceptance Rate
83%
Students Enrolled
1,419
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
49% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes New England Commission on Higher Education

#2 The Best Online Colleges in Connecticut

University of Bridgeport

  • Bridgeport, CT
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

University of Bridgeport offers online programming that ranks highly among similar programs. The seven online programs offered by this private institution consist of both undergraduate and graduate offerings. The school boasts a reputation for strong academics and track record in online course offerings.

Career and academic service associates located at the Bridgeport, Connecticut, campus also assist online learners. Degree-seekers can participate in career-planning events like virtual job fairs by connecting with these academic advisors. Hands-on learning through internship programs help many students prepare for work in the field. Upon completion of all program requirements, graduates are awarded an accredited degree.

Additional information about how to apply and what programs are available can be obtained by contacting the school directly.

University of Bridgeport at a Glance:

Online Student Enrollment: 1,842

Online Bachelor's Programs: 4

Online Master's Programs: 3

Percent of Programs Offered Online: 8%

Admission Rate: 55%

Accepts Transfer Credits: Data not available

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$31,920
Out-of-state
$31,920
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$18,612
Out-of-state
$18,612
Retention Rate
69%
Acceptance Rate
55%
Students Enrolled
5,089
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
36% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes New England Commission on Higher Education
Best Online Colleges

Online Colleges in Connecticut Ranking Guidelines

We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.

Our Methodology

Here at TheBestSchools.org, we take the trust and welfare of our readers very seriously. When making our school and program rankings, our top priority is ensuring that our readers get accurate, unbiased information that can help them make informed decisions about online education. That's why we've developed a rigorous ranking methodology that keeps the needs of our readers front and center.

Our proprietary, multi-criteria ranking algorithm analyzes key data indicators — as collected by the federal government — for each school or program. What data we use depends on the focus of each specific ranking, but in all cases, our ranking methodology is impartial: Schools cannot buy better rankings at TBS.

While specific criteria under consideration can vary by ranking, there are a few data points that we value most highly. They are affordability, academic quality, and online enrollment. Below, we break down our algorithm to help you understand what you're getting when you use one of our rankings.

  • Academics
  • Affordability
  • Online Enrollment

Data Sources

The data used in TBS rankings comes primarily from the federal government, and much of it is provided by the schools themselves. We aggregate and analyze this data to build our rankings.

The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) is our primary source. Its data comes from annual surveys conducted by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Every college, university, or technical school with access to federal financial aid must participate in these surveys, which include questions about enrollment, graduation rates, finances, and faculty qualifications. This is publicly available data, which you can access yourself through the College Navigator.

Additionally, because we value a personal touch and the professional experience of our staff and Academic Advisory Board, we vet all results and adjust rankings as necessary based on our collected knowledge of schools and degree programs. Depending on the ranking, we may obtain additional input from AcademicInfluence.com, subject matter experts, prior TBS ranking lists, or other sources we deem relevant to a particular ranking.

Breakdown of Our Rankings Methodology

About Our Ranking Factors

Here at TBS, we value what you value: quality education, affordability, and the accessibility of online education. These factors guide all of our program rankings.

Each of these factors are further broken down into weighted subfactors. For example, retention rates are weighted more heavily than availability of program options because they are a better indicator of student success.

We chose the following factors for our rankings because of their influence on learning experiences and graduate outcomes. However, students should always balance our rankings against their personal priorities. For instance, a learner who needs a fully online program may prioritize online flexibility more than our rankings do. Our rankings are designed to help you make a decision — not to make a decision for you.

Academics - 75%

Affordability - 15%

Online Enrollment - 10%

In all our school rankings and recommendations, we work for objectivity and balance. We carefully research and compile each ranking list, and as stated in our advertising disclosure, we do NOT permit financial incentives to influence rankings. Our articles never promote or disregard a school for financial gain.

If you have questions about our ranking methodology, please feel free to connect with our staff through contact page.

We thank you for your readership and trust.

Employment in Connecticut

Connecticut is a national leader in green energy, bioscience, and technological innovation. The financial services industry in Connecticut ranks among the top in the world, and the state is also home to large numbers of insurance professionals.

The cost of living in Connecticut exceeds the national average, but health and housing expenses are comparable to other states. The median home cost in Connecticut is also close to the national average.

In September 2023, Connecticut's unemployment rate was 3.5% — 0.5% lower than this same period last year. Construction jobs, information service positions, and trade and transportation roles have experienced employment growth.

The Connecticut Department of Labor projects a 5.9% growth in employment between 2016 and 2026. It lists top industries aa construction, healthcare and social assistance, and transportation and warehousing.

The data below covers the highest paying careers that employ more than 1,000 individuals in Connecticut and do not require a first-professional degree, like an MD or JD. Salary information is specific to Connecticut, while job growth data is for the United States as a whole.

Highest Paying, Fastest Growing Careers in Connecticut
Career Annual Mean Salary
Projected Job Growth
(2022-2032)
Education Required
Marketing Managers $160,330 10% Bachelor's degree
General and Operations Managers $150,930 3% Bachelor's degree
Human Resources Managers $146,560 5% Bachelor's degree
Sales Managers $144,030 4% Bachelor's degree
Architectural and Engineering Managers $159,160 4% Bachelor's degree
Personal Financial Advisors $146,210 13% Bachelor's degree
Physician Assistants $143,280 27% Master's degree
Source: BLS

The following data reflects the highest paying roles employing more than 5,000 professionals in Connecticut that do not require a first-professional degree, like an MD or JD. Salary figures apply specifically to Connecticut, while job growth data is for the United States as a whole.

Highest Paying, Most Common Careers in Connecticut
Career Annual Mean Salary
Projected Job Growth
(2022-2032)
Education Required
Financial Managers $169,230 16% Bachelor's degree
Computer and Information Systems Managers $155,830 15% Bachelor's degree
Medical and Health Services Managers $138,280 28% Bachelor's degree
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents $112,000 7% Bachelor's degree
Software Developers $120,180 25% Bachelor's degree
Management Analysts $105,650 10% Bachelor's degree
Financial and Investment Analysts $114,400 8% Bachelor's degree
Source: BLS

Online Associate and Graduate Degrees

Colleges and universities in Connecticut offer online associate and graduate degrees for students alongside online bachelor's programs. Many schools have shifted to online-only education due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has expanded online offerings at all levels.

Online programs often mirror their on-campus counterparts, although delivery format can vary. Programs with asynchronous coursework may provide more flexible options for students, while sequential and cohort-based curricula offer a more structured educational setting and more opportunities to connect with others.

Online graduate degrees at colleges and universities can span many disciplines. For example, at UCONN, business administration students can pursue an online master's of science in accounting or in human resource management.

Similarly, Central Connecticut State University offers an online strategic communication degree, which is ideal for students who study interpersonal and organizational communication. Education professionals can earn a graduate degree in educational technology from UCONN online or an online master of education degree from Goodwin University.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Major University Is in Connecticut?

Major public universities in Connecticut include UCONN and the four schools within the Connecticut State University System. Yale is the leading major private university in Connecticut.

Is College Free in Connecticut?

Connecticut offers free community college tuition for eligible first-time, full-time students -- a program that began in fall of 2020. Veterans may also be eligible for tuition waivers at UCONN, the Connecticut State Universities, and at the state's 12 community and technical colleges.

Does UCONN Offer Online Degrees?

UCONN offers online graduate certificate programs and online master's degrees. Areas of study include accounting, engineering, management, and nursing.

What Are the Benefits of Completing College Online in Connecticut?

Online college in Connecticut offers an affordable, convenient, and flexible way to earn a degree. Completing an online degree in Connecticut also opens opportunities for lucrative, fulfilling careers in one of the state's thriving industries.

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