Ranking

Most Selective Colleges in Connecticut by Acceptance Rate 2026

Yale University leads this list with a reported acceptance rate of 3.9%. This page ranks only schools with standard reported admissions data.

The hardest Connecticut colleges to get into — ranked by lowest undergraduate acceptance.

Schools ranked: 22
Cheapest net price: $10,875
Top earnings 10y: $100,533
Public / Private: 9 / 13

Yale University

New Haven, CT · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 3.9%
Net price: $23,777
Earnings 10y: $100,533
Acceptance: 3.9%

Wesleyan University

Middletown, CT · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 16.5%
Net price: $30,177
Earnings 10y: $73,897
Acceptance: 16.5%

Trinity College

Hartford, CT · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 29.3%
Net price: $34,832
Earnings 10y: $90,779
Acceptance: 29.3%

Fairfield University

Fairfield, CT · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 33.3%
Net price: $48,095
Earnings 10y: $88,794
Acceptance: 33.3%

Connecticut College

New London, CT · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 37%
Net price: $36,175
Earnings 10y: $75,001
Acceptance: 37%

University of Connecticut

Storrs, CT · Public

Acceptance: 52.4%
Net price: $25,097
Earnings 10y: $73,997
Acceptance: 52.4%

Albertus Magnus College

New Haven, CT · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 59.3%
Net price: $34,028
Earnings 10y: $60,144
Acceptance: 59.3%

University of New Haven

West Haven, CT · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 60.4%
Net price: $34,192
Earnings 10y: $60,126
Acceptance: 60.4%

Sacred Heart University

Fairfield, CT · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 65.4%
Net price: $46,174
Earnings 10y: $75,059
Acceptance: 65.4%

#10

Quinnipiac University

Hamden, CT · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 72.2%
Net price: $40,675
Earnings 10y: $83,759
Acceptance: 72.2%

#11

Central Connecticut State University

New Britain, CT · Public

Acceptance: 73.3%
Net price: $16,857
Earnings 10y: $58,562
Acceptance: 73.3%

#12

University of Saint Joseph

West Hartford, CT · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 78.6%
Net price: $27,989
Earnings 10y: $59,908
Acceptance: 78.6%

#13

University of Connecticut-Stamford

Stamford, CT · Public

Acceptance: 83%
Net price: $16,798
Earnings 10y: $73,997
Acceptance: 83%

#14

Eastern Connecticut State University

Willimantic, CT · Public

Acceptance: 83%
Net price: $21,067
Earnings 10y: $56,469
Acceptance: 83%

#15

University of Bridgeport

Bridgeport, CT · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 83%
Net price: $27,807
Earnings 10y: $50,323
Acceptance: 83%

#16

University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus

A+

Waterbury, CT · Public

Acceptance: 86.7%
Net price: $10,875
Earnings 10y: $73,997
Acceptance: 86.7%

#17

Western Connecticut State University

Danbury, CT · Public

Acceptance: 87%
Net price: $17,604
Earnings 10y: $59,115
Acceptance: 87%

#18

University of Connecticut-Avery Point

Groton, CT · Public

Acceptance: 88.2%
Net price: $13,807
Earnings 10y: $73,997
Acceptance: 88.2%

#19

University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus

Hartford, CT · Public

Acceptance: 88.3%
Net price: $16,403
Earnings 10y: $73,997
Acceptance: 88.3%

#20

Southern Connecticut State University

New Haven, CT · Public

Acceptance: 91.5%
Net price: $20,857
Earnings 10y: $55,043
Acceptance: 91.5%

#21

Mitchell College

New London, CT · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 94.7%
Net price: $30,260
Earnings 10y: $39,115
Acceptance: 94.7%

#22

University of Hartford

West Hartford, CT · Private Non-Profit

Acceptance: 95.8%
Net price: $30,282
Earnings 10y: $60,823
Acceptance: 95.8%

How we picked this list

This list starts with Connecticut colleges that report a standard admission rate, then sorts by acceptance rate. The set's average EduGradify ROI score is 7.26 (9 public, 13 private).

Source transparency: every figure comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard public data set. See our full methodology for the ROI formula, value grade rules and missing-data handling.

FAQ

Who leads this ranking?

Yale University in New Haven, CT tops this ranking. Acceptance rate is 3.9%.

How does EduGradify pick this list?

We rank this set by acceptance using the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — see our methodology for the full formula. No paid placements, no surveys.

How many Connecticut colleges are in this list?

22 Connecticut colleges qualified for this ranking based on available federal data.

What does net price mean here?

Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — not the sticker price. It is reported by each college to the U.S. Department of Education.

Can I use this ranking as a final college decision?

Use it as a shortlist, not a final decision. The ranking compares school-wide federal data; you should still confirm program fit, aid letters, graduation path, transfer policies and current costs with each college.