Why This Matters

  • 13 ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAMS IN CONNECTICUT

    Data from College Navigator reveals that Connecticut has 13 two-year institutions that offer associate degree programs.

  • $4,500 AVERAGE TUITION & FEES AT IN-DISTRICT COMMUNITY COLLEGES

    According to College Board, the average Connecticut resident paid this amount in tuition at in-district community colleges for the 2020-21 school year.

  • 437,899 STUDENTS ENROLLED IN TWO-YEAR INSTITUTIONS RECEIVED FINANCIAL AID

    During the 2018-19 school year, 76.9% of students attending two-year institutions in the United States received some type of financial aid, such as scholarships, grants, and loans.

Our Research

This list features the best community colleges in Connecticut. We reviewed both public and private institutions that offer two-year programs and considered factors such as tuition costs, credit requirements, and the form in which coursework is provided (such as on-campus or online).

To confirm that every program on our list enforces high standards for education, we only included accredited institutions. All of our selections are accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), a regional accreditation agency that confirms the quality and integrity of postsecondary institutions in the New England region. It is composed of professional faculty from affiliated institutions and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

  • 26hours to write this article
  • 24universities and colleges we assessed
  • 63education programs we compared

The Top 50 Community Colleges in Connecticut

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What You Should Know About Graduating From Community College in Connecticut

As you prepare for community college, it’s important to consider your career and salary goals. According to 2020 data, the highest paying occupations that require an associate degree in Connecticut were radiation therapists, nuclear medicine technologists, dental hygienists, air traffic controllers, and diagnostic medical sonographers.

You may find more success if you focus on career fields that typically have high job availability. The occupations projected to have the most job openings for associate degree holders over the next decade are preschool teachers (excluding special education), paralegals and legal assistants, dental hygienists, electrical engineering technicians, and veterinary technologists.

Associate degree holders in Connecticut should take into account the occupations that are expected to undergo a drop in employment. The jobs expected to decline over the next ten years are human resource assistants (excluding payroll and timekeeping), air traffic controllers, cardiovascular technologists, dietetic technicians, and nuclear medicine technologists.

What’s Next?

While researching different community colleges, you should consider how you plan to fund your education. Below is a list of federal and state resources that connect associate degree students to scholarships, grants, and financial aid opportunities in Connecticut.

  • Connecticut Department of Education. The Connecticut Department of Education supports students pursuing higher education by offering helpful information about both federal and state-based financial legislation and grants.
  • Federal Student Aid. The U.S. Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid assists students across the country by offering over $120 billion in financial aid every year. Students can see if they qualify by visiting the FAFSA4caster, and they can apply by filling out the online FAFSA form.
  • CareerOneStop. The Bureau of Labor Statistics sponsors this resource to help students find scholarships available in their state for their degree level. The site also provides useful details about dollar amounts, qualification requirements, contact information, and application deadlines.