Schools
23 Connecticut Colleges, Ranked First To Worst
Twenty-three four-year Connecticut schools were ranked by Niche.com, from first to worst. See the list below.
Ever wonder about the best four-year colleges in Connecticut? Niche.com ranked all of them, listing 23 colleges and grading them on their academic standards and quality of life.
The list was part of the web compiler's annual "Best Colleges" list that was released this week, identifying what it considers to be the top 100 in the nation based on assessments and reviews.
Two Connecticut schools were ranked in the top 100 on Niche.com's national list. Yale University was No. 3, and Wesleyan University was No. 70.
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The Connecticut list includes all four-year colleges in the state, awarding them grades that ranged from A to C+. No college in Connecticut received a D or F.
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The "Best Colleges" ranking is based on what the website considers a "rigorous analysis of academic, admissions, financial, and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education." For its national list, the website also includes millions of reviews from students and alumni. The ranking compares more than 1,000 top colleges and universities in the U.S.
These aren't the most scientific results. Niche incorporates solid data into its rankings, but many of its metrics include some amount of online survey responses on the Niche.com website. So, an ambitious push by faculty, students and supporters can move the needle on a school's overall performance, including many of the metrics used by Niche, like school safety, student life, community ratings, diversity and more.
Below are all the schools in Connecticut, where they were ranked, their academics grade and a short review for each from a student:
1. Yale University, New Haven (A+) “I absolutely love attending Yale University. I feel that it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am entering my third year in the fall and couldn't imagine being anywhere else. What drew me to Yale was the close knit community and the welcoming and inclusive social space."
2. Wesleyan University, Middletown (A+) “Wesleyan may not be for everyone, but it is right for me. I couldn't have chosen a school that fit me any better, and without a doubt, I would choose my school all over again.”
3. University of Connecticut in Storrs, (A) “While in the business school it is not difficult to get a job out of school because you are more or less required to get an internship. As for the math department, I am not too sure.”
4. Connecticut College in New London (A) “The Dance Department is amazing. The professors are great mentors, the classes are engaging and interesting, and the performances I've done have ranged from intriguing and thoughtful to exciting and silly."
5. Trinity College - Connecticut in Hartford (A) “I could not be happier with my choice of Trinity College. Although it is not where I expected to end up, I now realize I would not have wanted to end up anywhere else!”
6. University of Connecticut - Avery Point in Groton (B) “Always There to Help – the teachers are always there to help you know matter what. they give you their office hours, and you can make and appointment and discuss any problems that you.”
7. Fairfield University in Fairfield (B) “I am actually enjoying the school, and I was able to break the classicist barrier with SOME people and make amazing friends. Often, people need to check their wealth privilege. Let's see. The Classes are small and intimate, which allows you to make a connection with your professor. This means your professor is more willing to understand about certain circumstances.”
8. University of Connecticut - Stamford (B) “The school is a 100% commuter school, so it's not as involved as a campus with housing. that is not to say that there are lack of events. The classes are small, you'll never be in a classroom with more that 40 students.”
9. Quinnipiac University in Hamden (B+) “Sleeping Giant State Park is great, class sizes are great, dorms are great, campus location isn't ideal. Always feeling the need to have to have a car to go places because no one walks … great school spirit at hockey games, schools within college are growing so fast they are having a hard time keeping up with number of classes to offer for all students interested in taking the class.”
10. University of New Haven in West Haven (B)
11. University of Hartford in West Hartford (B) “I chose this school for its great study abroad program they also had my major along with the very helpful professors. I don't think I can find a study abroad like this in any tech school for architecture, that is why I stayed at this school.”
12. University of Connecticut - Tri-Campus in Waterbury (B-) “Pretty Good Experience – I kind of keep to myself most of the time being on the run to classes … the library to do homework. Education comes before my social life but when I do have time I do socialize with people that I've seen around campus.”
13. Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic (B) “There's a lot of recruiting, job fairs, in campus interviews, and other helpful resources for students. I find this to be extremely helpful for me.”
14. Albertus Magnus College in New Haven (C+) “I like how everyone know each other. The study body is one big family, and I had have many great experiences with my teammates and fellow students.”
15. Sacred Heart University in Fairfield (B-) “What makes SHU unique is the family dynamic that was have on campus. Everyone says hello, everyone is polite and everything holds the doors for you even if you are a hundred feet away.”
16. Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven (B-) I transferred to Southern this last semester and it's very different than my experience at my other college. I am still getting used to the transition. I like how diverse Southern is, my high school was diverse so it makes me feel more comfortable. I commute because I live so close so it's nice to be around an area that I am used to.”
17. Goodwin College in East Hartford (B-)
18. Post University in Waterbury, (C+)
19. University of Bridgeport (B-) “The environment is very refreshing and freeing. The students all seem extremely welcoming and willing to give you tips and information that not only you but they believe is good for you to try to make the most of your time there.
20. Western Connecticut State University in Danbury (B) “I was a commuting part time student at WCSU last year. I didn't go here because it was my first choice and I loved it, but because I didn't feel I was ready to fully jump into a 4 year college situation. In this way, being part time at WCSU offered me a good transition from high school. I was able to take a few classes and see what college was like while still being comfortable and close to home.
21. Central Connecticut State University in New Britain (B-) “The courses are generally easy depending if you study or not. The professors are there to help if you ask them and always tell you their office hours.”
22. University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford (C+) “I love my school because it exposes you to things you would never be interesting in. Yesterday i made a pillow in my spare time, I'm not sure many other campuses even care how their students sleep or what they sleep with. We have yoga, writing, painting and stress relieving classes and ALL of them are free.”
23. Mitchell College in New London (C+)
Written by Tom Davis and Brian McCready, Patch Staff
Image via Shutterstock.com
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