25 Best Colleges In Connecticut

Overview

University of Connecticut – Avery Point was founded in 1967 in the former 72-acre summer estate of Morton Plant, a railroad, steamship and hotel magnate. When the original estate was finished in 1904, it was worth $3 million. By 1930, the estate was turned over to the State of Connecticut for various purposes, including a training center for the U.S. Coast Guard in World War II. Since the 1960s, the estate has been converted to a maritime focused university. Today, the Avery Point Campus has 72 acres of land with over 28 buildings that include historic buildings connected to the original Morton Plant estate, Coast Guard Training Center, and modern Science and oceanology buildings.

Features

The University of Connecticut at Avery Point is home to 4 vibrant undergraduate programs and an active student body of 514 students and 10 local student organizations. However, as a regional center, it only has a few undergraduate majors and minors that students can start and finish at this location. The Majors that can be completed on site are: English, General Studies, Maritime Studies, and Marine Sciences. The minors that can be completed onsite: American Studies, Anthropology, English, History, Marine Biology, Native American and Indigenous Studies, and Oceanography. All other University of Connecticut programs might be able to start their studies at Avery but will need to finish their programs online or at Storrs.

Notables

The Avery Point location provides many opportunities for campus community and the public to learn more about marine, maritime, historical and the arts. As a Sea Grant institution, there is no end in hard sciences at this location. But many are surprised to learn that the fine arts are also represented in the Alexy von Schlippe Art Gallery and the Sculpture Path brick walkway that complement the spectacular view of the Long Island Sound.

Overview

The University of Hartford was founded in 1957 with the merger of three older schools: The Hartford Art School (founded in 1877), the Hillyer College (founded in 1879), and the Hartt School (founded in 1920). Today, the University of Harford sites on over 350-acres in an area where Harford, West Hartford and Bloomfield, Connecticut, meet. The campus is beautifully landscaped with impressive buildings and historical trees with the Park River flowing through it.

Features

The University of Hartford is known for its rigorous instruction, research, performance and internship opportunities throughout its 100 degree programs. The university currently serves over 5,000 undergraduates and over 1,600 graduate students. Inside the classroom, students can expect to have over 70% of their classes to have less than 20 students and a student-faculty ratio of 9-to-1. Top majors include:

• Visual & Performing Arts
• Health Professions
• Business
• Engineering Technologies
• Engineering

Notables

The University of Harford has integrated all previous institutions so that an element of each is found throughout the campus. For example, before the schools merged, the team mascot was the Hawk at Hillyer college. When the three merged, the university kept the Hawk. So, if you are looking for something to eat, you go to the Hawk’s Nest in the University Commons for food and entertainment. If you are at the sporting event, Howie the Hawk will be there climbing stairs to watch the sporting events.

Overview

The University of Connecticut – Waterbury is in Waterbury, Connecticut. Compared to other locations within the University of Connecticut system, it is a newer location. They are just putting the finishing touches on the new historical building and Starbucks will be there by Fall 2017. Like some of the other regional campuses, Waterbury focuses on a small number of programs that can be completed start to finish at their location. However, as part of the University of Connecticut system, students have access to all the University of Connecticut’s majors.

Features

The 800 undergraduate students that choose the Waterbury location have three options. 1) Complete the general educational credits at Waterbury and then transition to the main campus in Storrs, 2) Complete the general educational credits at Waterbury and transfer to online programs, or 3) Choose from one of the 7 programs that can be finished at Waterbury.

• Business Administration
• Business Data Analytics
• English
• General Studies
• Human Development & Family Studies
• Psychology
• Urban & Community Studies (Partnership with UConn’s Harford & Torrington Campuses)

Notables

The new, old building was originally built in 1899. It is locally known as the Rectory Building or St. Patrick’s Hall. The building has a brick Romanesque structure with a brownstone facade. The plan for the renovated spaces is to include classrooms, student lounge and meeting spaces. Even with all the renovation, it still maintains its original charm and reminds the locals that new life can be breathed into downtown and historical buildings.

Overview

The University of Saint Joseph was founded in 1932 by the Sisters of Mercy, a Catholic tradition. Today, it is a private institution on 90-acres in West Hartford, Connecticut – about 3 miles from downtown Harford and serves as a mid-way point between Boston and New York City. The traditional undergraduate program is for women only. However, the graduate and non-traditional undergraduate programs are co-ed.

Features

The University of Saint Joseph’s traditional undergraduate enrollment is 960 students. Students can choose more than 26 majors and pre-professional areas to study. If they choose, they can also continue with St. Joseph to finish their graduate coursework. Inside the classroom, the student-faculty ratio is 11 to 1. Over 70% of the classes will have less than 20 students – with an average class size of 14 students. Students can join several student organizations or attend NCAA Division II athletic conferences. This is largely a commuter school – over 70% of the students live off campus. Top majors include:

• Health Professions
• Public Administration
• Family & Consumer Sciences
• Biological & Biomedical Sciences
• Psychology

Notables:

The University of Saint Joseph offers many opportunities to their students to excel academically while staying true to the Roman Catholic faith and traditions. The USJ social work students won five of the last nine prestigious Connecticut Chapter National Association of Social Workers Student of the Year awards. It is one of only 14 women’s colleges in the U.S. accredited by the American Chemical Society. In terms of the Catholic faith, they have The Connor Chapel of Our Lady and the Pope Pius XII Library. The University of St. Joseph has been able to mix hard sciences, faith, arts and beautify to show the student population how to balance their own lives and careers.

Overview

The Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) was founded in 1893 to train teachers. Since then it has become part of the Connecticut State University System. It is the third oldest campus in that system. Today, SCSU has developed into a vibrant educational community on 168 acres located less than 3 miles from downtown New Haven, Connecticut, near the esteemed Westville Village. Students can enjoy the many interesting aspects of the area or travel to various other areas to enjoy New England: Its 6.4 miles to the Long Island Sound, 78 miles to New York City and 136 miles to Boston.

Features

There are over 10,000 students pursuing over 70 undergraduate or 47 graduate degrees. 8,000 are undergraduate students. Students are encouraged to join student groups, travel internationally and attend local NCAA Division II sport games. This is largely a commuter school since over 70% of the students live off campus. Inside the classroom, students can expect that nearly 45% of their classes will have less than 20 students. Top majors include:

• Business
• Liberal Arts & Sciences
• Psychology
• Public Health
• Nursing

Notables

While the SCSU is not a small undergraduate program, it does have an impressive graduate degree program. It produces the largest number of graduates in the Health Sciences, Life Sciences, Education and Social Services and Public Services areas within the Connecticut State University System.

Overview

Fairfield University was founded 1942 by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in Fairfield, Connecticut. Today, it is one of 28 member institutions in the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. Fairfield University’s 200-acre campus is in the heart of the largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies in the nation. Even with the presence of such powerful companies, the Fairfield education encourages students to explore the arts, various areas of business, and hard sciences. Fairfield is just an hour drive to New York City with access to both small town and huge city access.

Features

Fairfield University serves over 5,000 undergraduates and graduate students. On the main campus, students have access to NCAA Division I sports, over 80 campus organizations and well over 40 different undergraduate majors. Students enjoy the social life on campus so much that over 70% live on campus. Inside the classroom, students can expect over 40% of their classes to have less than 20 students. The student-faculty ratio is 12-to-1. Top majors include:

• Business
• Health Professions
• Social Sciences
• English

Notables

Fairfield University offers a wide range of opportunities for research, internships, service, civic engagement, and personal enrichment both on and off campus. Fairfield has built their own study abroad program in six different countries and is affiliated with over 80 additional programs. Their honors program has prompted Phi Beta Kappa to open a chapter on their campus. Off campus students can attend local arts gatherings that allow them to experience some of the best theatre just outside of Broadway.

Overview

The University of New Haven (UNH) was founded on the Yale campus in 1920 to serve as a New Haven YMCA Junior College as a division of Northeastern University. By 1960, the junior college had expanded so much that it moved to the former county orphanage, Ellis C. Maxcy Hall, in West Haven, Connecticut. Today, it is a private co-ed university in West Haven on the southern coast of New England. The main campus has about 82 acres and is about 90 minutes from New York City and 2.5 hours from Boston. The University of New Haven also has campuses in Orange, Old Lyme and New London Connecticut as well as in San Francisco, California, and Tuscany (Prato), Italy.

Features

The University of New Haven is a vibrant community of 4,936 undergraduate students. There are over 100 academic programs. For fun, students can join any of the 150 campus organizations, attend a NCAA Division II game or volunteer in the community. In the classroom, students can expect over 47% of their classes to have less than 20 students. The student-faculty ratio is 16-to-1. And the average class size is 22 people. Top programs include:

• Homeland Security & Related Protective Services
• Business
• Visual & Performing Arts
• Engineering
• Psychology

Notables

The University of New Haven has a strong grounding in their long-standing commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary, project-based learning. However, it is not just within the confines of their standard coursework at the higher education level. UNH also offers services to help freshmen transition from high school and to help sophomores begin to think about their career search. They are also encouraging students participate in one of 520 different study abroad programs – even though they do hope that you choose their own Tuscany Campus in Prato, Italy.

Overview

The United States Coast Guard Academy was founded in 1932 to support the oldest lifesaving service in the world. Today, it located on 103 acres in New London, Connecticut, right on the Thames River. Unlike the other service academies, admission to the Coast Guard Academy is based purely on merit – a congressional nomination is not required. However, this school is highly selective. Only 250 students enter each freshman class each year. And about 200 end up graduating. Students do not have to pay tuition. However, those who do graduate serve in the Coast guard for five years.

Features

The United States Coast Guard Academy serves over 900 cadets (students) every year. All students are required to live on campus during their duration of their education and participate in military life. Student life is highly regimented at the Coast Guard Academy, with military training. Inside the classroom, the student-faculty ratio is 8-to-1 and nearly 80% of their classes will have less than 20 students. The average class size is 18 students. For fun, students can enjoy NCAA III sports, student organizations and training exercises. Incoming cadets are required to participate in Swab Summer, a seven-week military training program. Top programs include:

• Engineering
• Social Sciences
• Business
• Biological & Biomedical Sciences
• Mathematics
• Statistics

Notables

The US Coast Guard has its roots in 1790’s Revenue Marines established by Alexander Hamilton to enforce the laws of the country at sea. By 1890, land-based training was established in Curtis Bay, Maryland. Then, in 1910, the academy moved to the Revolutionary War Fort and Army post at Fort Trumbull in New London, Connecticut. Finally, in 1915, the Revenue Cutter Service merged with the Life Saving Service to create today’s version of the U.S. Coast Guard. Today, the coast guard continues to pursue Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty. It is that devotion to duty that started the Hall of Heroes in 2009 that illustrates a Wall of Remembrance, Wall of Gallantry, Cadet Memorial Wall, Wall of Valor and the Heroes of Tomorrow.

Overview

Sacred Heart University was founded in 1963 in Fairfield, Connecticut as an independent, Catholic University by the Most Reverend Walter W. Curtis, Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport. It is the 2nd largest catholic university in New England. It is the first catholic institution to be staffed by lay personnel. Today, it encompasses over 250 acres that include an 18-hole golf course and the former General Electric headquarters. The main campus is located one hour north of New York City and 2.5 hours south of Boston. It is in the heart of hundreds of Fortune 500 companies, top-ranking hospitals and arts.

Features

Sacred Heart University serves over 8,500 students with over 70 academic programs. Outside of the classroom students can enjoy NCAA Division I sports teams, cultural activities, and student organizations. Inside the classroom, students can expect over 39% of their classes to have less than 20 students and a student-faculty ratio of 15-to-1. Approximately 90% of first-year students and approximately 59% of all undergraduates reside in on-campus housing facilities. Top Programs include:

• Health Professions
• Business
• Psychology
• Social Sciences

Notables

Sacred Heart University has earned several honors recently. It has been ranked one of the fastest-growing Roman Catholic Colleges in the United States. It has earned its membership to join 350 other colleges and universities in the country as a college of distinction. And the Princeton Review includes SHU in their top 381 Best Colleges Report and 294 Top Business Schools Report.

Overview

Eastern Connecticut State University was the second teacher’s college opened in Connecticut. It opened in the fall of 1889 in Willimantic, Connecticut. By 1967, the school had widened its focus so much that it was renamed Eastern Connecticut State College. In 1983, the name changed again to Eastern Connecticut State University. Today, Eastern Connecticut State University sits on 182 acres in a great area.

Features

Eastern Connecticut State University supports over 4,200 undergraduate students pursuing 38 majors and 59 minors. In the classroom, the average class size is 23 students. The student-faculty ratio is 16-to-1. Nearly 60% of the full-time undergrads live on campus. Outside the classroom, students can attend NCAA Division III sports, a variety of extracurricular activities or join some of the 100 student organizations. Top Majors include:

• Business
• Liberal Arts & Sciences
• General Studies & Humanities
• Psychology
• Social Sciences

Notables

Although most courses are held on the main campus, select classes take place at Manchester Community College, Capital Community College, and a satellite center in Groton. The goal is to present educational opportunities at a location that students can access and get them interested in taking their educational pursuits to the next level. The main campus is spread over 182 acres that is divided into three areas: South Campus, North Campus, and the University Sports Complex. South Campus is the historic part of the University and includes buildings such as Burr Hall, the school’s first dormitory, which dates to 1921. North Campus, the more modern part of the University, is home to the library, the fine arts instructional center, and the student center The University Sports complex has everything the teams need to compete in NCAA Division III sports.