Best Online Colleges in Connecticut
If you want to attend college in Connecticut, you can consider many affordable schools with fully online degrees.
This page includes a ranking of some of the best online colleges in Connecticut. We also provide information about the fastest-growing jobs in the state and majors that can help you prepare for jobs in Connecticut after graduation.
Top Connecticut Online Colleges
Holy Apostles College and Seminary
Cromwell, CT- 4 year
- Campus + Online
An online degree from Holy Apostles College and Seminary helps professionals advance their careers and pursue new opportunities. Online degree-seekers at the school receive the same high-quality education as on-campus students. The school's programs combine core courses and elective options to prepare graduates for careers. Students complete degrees in many disciplines.
Distance learners can pursue various undergraduate and graduate degrees at the Connecticut school. Students use the college’s generous transfer policy to finish bachelor’s degrees faster. Undergraduates pay $8,640 in-state tuition for bachelor’s degrees. Working professionals complete online master’s degrees in two years on average. Doctoral degrees can take more than four years to complete. Nontraditional learners pursuing graduate degrees pay $4,320 in-state tuition. To fund their degree, 50% of students at the school obtain financial aid and 23% take out loans.
Students can choose from multiple start terms. Virtual learners submit school transcripts for admission. Degree-seekers can use entrance scores to bolster their application. Holy Apostles College and Seminary has been accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education.
- In-State$8,640
- Out-of-state$8,640
- In-State$4,320
- Out-of-state$4,320
- Retention Rate100%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled603
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment84%
- AccreditationYes
Charter Oak State College
- New Britain, CT
- 4 year
- Online
From its campus located in New Britain, Connecticut, Charter Oak State College enrolls students in 29 total programs. Besides in-person programs, the public institution features online programs. Degree-seekers in online programs enjoy a 14-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio and flexible, accessible format. Working professionals and busy students benefit from top-ranking programs at the school, designed just for them.
Remote learners use an online classroom setting to communicate with teachers and peers during an online program. They learn foundational skills and knowledge for their future profession. General education requirements build in-demand skills like critical thinking and problem-solving. The online school's academic advising, tutoring services, and career counseling all support distance learners. Enrollees receive an accredited degree.
Charter Oak State College Statistics:
Total Associate Degrees Available Online: 1
Online Bachelor's Programs Available: 10
Total Available Online Master's Programs: 1
- In-State$7,656
- Out-of-state$10,056
- In-State$9,288
- Out-of-state$9,720
- Retention Rate100%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled1,611
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
Price Check
Connecticut offers funding for eligible students to cover tuition and fees that federal and state grants do not cover. This program allows many CT students to earn credits with minimal costs.
10 Fast-Growing Jobs in Connecticut
Before you decide on a major, research career pathways that are available after graduation. The chart below features some of the fastest-growing jobs in Connecticut that require a college degree, along with their projected growth and median annual wages. Healthcare is one of the top-growing fields in Connecticut.
| Job | Projected Growth, 2020-2030 | Annual Mean Wage in CT, May 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioners | +48% | $136,980 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | +44% | $122,860 |
| Logisticians | +39% | $80,480 |
| Marine Engineers and Naval Architects | +38% | N/A |
| Physician Assistants | +31% | $149,300 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | +29% | $148,370 |
| Microbiologists | +28% | $87,600 |
Majors to Consider to Prepare for Connecticut’s Job Market
Before committing to an online college in Connecticut, consider majors that align with your personal and professional goals. The list of majors below can provide education for some of the state’s emerging careers mentioned above.
Nursing
Nurse practitioners work in one of the fastest-growing jobs in Connecticut. These healthcare workers need bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing to meet licensing requirements.Biology or Microbiology
Earning a bachelor’s degree in biology or microbiology can help you get the knowledge and skills you need to become a microbiologist, one of the fastest-growing careers in Connecticut. A bachelor’s in biology can also prepare you to enter a physician assistant master’s program or pursue a career as a medical scientist.Physician Assistant
A physician assistant needs a master’s degree from an accredited physician assistant program for professional practice. Each applicant needs a bachelor’s in biology or a healthcare-related field to qualify for a master’s program.Business
Majoring in business can open the door to many fields and some of the fastest-growing jobs in Connecticut. For example, a business degree can help prepare you to become a logistician or medical and health services manager.
Cost of Living in Connecticut
The chart below highlights the average cost of some necessities in Connecticut, including housing, transportation, food, and medical care. This data is based on one adult living on their own.
Online students can save money by living with roommates. Also, because they won’t need to commute to campus, they may be able to pay less for transportation.
| Cost of Living Category | Average Cost Per Month |
|---|---|
| Housing | $1,248 |
| Groceries and Food | $392 |
| Transportation | $851 |
| Medical Care | $296 |
Scholarships and Cost Savings for Online Colleges in Connecticut
Students attending online colleges in Connecticut can qualify for various scholarships and other types of financial aid. It pays to apply for as many scholarships as possible since they don’t require repayment. The following section covers potential scholarships for online students in the state.
Roberta B. Willis Need-Merit Scholarship
Connecticut awards this scholarship to high school seniors and graduates who ranked in the top 20% of their class in their junior year. Applicants must score above 1200 on the SAT or above 25 on the ACT to qualify. Each recipient must attend a public or private nonprofit college in Connecticut.
- Scholarship Amount: Up to $5,250 per year
- Deadline: Feb. 15
Tabor Foundation Fund
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation offers this scholarship to residents of specific counties who plan to attend education or training programs in healthcare in their communities after graduation. Nonresidents who work in the area can also apply. The foundation prefers applicants attending schools in northwest Connecticut.
- Scholarship Amount: $1,000-$4,000
- Deadline: June 15
Connecticut Community Foundation Scholarships
Connecticut Community Foundation offers dozens of scholarships each year. Eligibility requirements vary, but most scholarships require applicants to have an average of B- or higher for consideration. Applicants may be new, returning, or current college students, and most scholarships require applicants to reside in a designated 21-town region. Recipients must attend accredited U.S. schools.
- Scholarship Amount: Varies
- Deadline: March 15 for most scholarships. Sept. 30 for Naugatuck Valley Community College scholarships.
Passport to Promise
New Haven residents who attended New Haven public high schools or approved charter schools continuously for grades 9-12 can apply for this scholarship. Each applicant must have completed at least 40 hours of community service and achieved at least 90% attendance. Applicants must not have any expulsions during high school. To qualify, a candidate must hold a minimum 2.5 GPA and attend an in-state institution.
- Scholarship Amount: $1,000 (for freshman year only). After successfully completing freshman year with a minimum 2.0 GPA and at least 24 credits, students automatically get the regular New Haven Promise award for the last three years of college ($5,000-$15,000 annually).
- Deadline: Dec. 23
Four-Year College Accounting Scholarship
The Connecticut Society of Certified Professional Accountants offers various scholarships, including six scholarships for Connecticut residents or students enrolled at four-year institutions in the state. Applicants must be juniors or seniors majoring in accounting who plan to pursue licensure. Each candidate also needs a minimum 3.0 GPA.
- Scholarship Amount: $5,000 (six available)
- Deadline: March 31
Tuition Reciprocity Benefits for Out-of-State Students in Connecticut
The New England Board of Education’s Tuition Break program lets New England residents attend out-of-state public schools in New England, including Connecticut, at a discounted tuition rate. If you live in one of the following states, you may be able to take advantage of Tuition Break to attend a college or university in Connecticut:
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
Frequently Asked Questions About Online College in Connecticut
Is community college free in Connecticut?
No — community college is not free in Connecticut. However, the state’s Pledge to Advance Connecticut can help qualifying students graduate without tuition-related debt. Through the program, the state covers the rest of a qualifying student’s tuition and required fees after they accept other available financial aid.
How many colleges are in Connecticut?
A National Center for Education Statistics search shows 62 colleges in Connecticut, including public and private schools.
What colleges are in Connecticut?
The best-known public universities in the state are the University of Connecticut, Western Connecticut State University, and Central Connecticut State University. Southern Connecticut State University and Eastern Connecticut State University are also well-known public schools. Yale University, the University of Hartford, Sacred Heart University, and Quinnipiac University are among the state’s highly regarded private schools.
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