Best Online Colleges in Connecticut 2025

Having a bachelor's degree is the bare minimum for many jobs these days, but not all students are able to learn on campus. In that case, online college programs can offer a huge benefit.

The best online degree programs give students the flexibility to study where and when they are able to but still provide a high-quality education. There are top online colleges all over the country, including in Connecticut.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), nearly 23,000 bachelor's students earned in-person or online degrees in Connecticut in the 2021-22 school year. Keep reading to discover the best online colleges in Connecticut.

Best Accredited Online Colleges in Connecticut

Connecticut is a small state, but there are a handful of schools that offer online programs. We've highlighted the best Connecticut online colleges below.

1. Charter Oak State College

Charter Oak State College is an online college based in New Britain, CT. It offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees in fields like business administration, criminal justice, education, and healthcare.

The state university is designed specifically for adult and nontraditional learners. It allows students to transfer up to 87 credit hours and awards credit for a variety of other types of prior learning.

Both in-state and out-of-state students pay $329 per credit hour for online undergraduate programs. Several financial aid programs are available to students, and 50% of students are awarded financial aid.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State & Out-of-State: $8,506

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State & Out-of-State: $9,522

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 100%

Retention Rate: 100%

Institution Type: Public online

Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

2. Sacred Heart University

At Sacred Heart University, students can earn undergraduate and graduate degrees online. Areas of study include communication, education, healthcare, and social work.

All first-time undergraduate students receive financial aid of some kind, primarily grants and scholarships. Tuition varies based on the specific program.

Sacred Heart, a Catholic school, is located in Fairfield, CT. Its online programs combine academic excellence, critical thought, and a vision for social equity with flexible, online convenience.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State & Out-of-State: $48,460

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State & Out-of-State: $34,060

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 68%

Retention Rate: 85%

Institution Type: Private nonprofit

Accreditation: NECHE

3. University of New Haven

The University of New Haven offers online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in fields like business, criminal justice, cybersecurity, and healthcare. The university is located in West Haven, CT.

These distance learning courses allow students to set their own class time and place but still offer the same objectives, expectations, and value as their on-campus counterparts and carry the same academic credit.

Tuition for online undergraduate programs is $510 per credit hour. Every first-time undergraduate student receives financial aid, especially through grants and scholarships.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State & Out-of-State: $45,730

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State & Out-of-State: $18,990

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 81%

Retention Rate: 77%

Institution Type: Private nonprofit

Accreditation: NECHE

4. Albertus Magnus College

Undergraduate and graduate programs are available online through Albertus Magnus College. Areas of study include business, criminal justice, healthcare, and social sciences.

Roughly 99% of undergraduate students receive financial aid at the Connecticut college, especially from grants and scholarships. The tuition rate for online undergraduate programs is $583 per credit.

Albertus Magnus College, based in New Haven, CT, is a Catholic school. It allows students to build online courses around their busy schedules and offers personalized faculty assistance and customized guidance.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State & Out-of-State: $39,924

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State & Out-of-State: $23,472

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 64%

Retention Rate: 75%

Institution Type: Private nonprofit

Accreditation: NECHE

5. University of Bridgeport

The University of Bridgeport is a private school in Bridgeport, CT. It offers online programs from the associate degree through the doctoral levels in fields like business administration, computer science, healthcare, and psychology.

The university was the first to offer an online master's program in the state of Connecticut. Online classes are designed specifically with busy students in mind.

Most online undergraduate degrees have a tuition rate of $575 per credit hour. Around 95% of students receive financial aid, especially scholarships and grants.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State & Out-of-State: $35,760

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State & Out-of-State: $19,096

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 64%

Retention Rate: 63%

Institution Type: Private nonprofit

Accreditation: NECHE

Other Featured Online Schools

For students looking for a greater variety of options, there are many fantastic accredited online colleges spread across the United States. We've featured some additional top online colleges below.

Franklin University

Students at Franklin University can earn undergraduate and graduate degrees online. Areas of study include business, computer science, healthcare, and social sciences.

Franklin University, like Charter Oak, is geared toward adult and nontraditional learners. It's accredited through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and charges $398 per credit for undergraduate programs.

National University

National University offers online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in fields like business, education, humanities, and technology. The university is headquartered in San Diego and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

National is also designed for nontraditional learners and offers courses both in person and through distance learning. Tuition is program-dependent but is $370 per credit for most undergraduate online learning programs.

Southern New Hampshire University

Over 200 undergraduate and graduate programs are available online at Southern New Hampshire University. Areas of study include behavioral science, English, information technology, and liberal studies.

SNHU is based in Manchester, NH, and is accredited by the NECHE. Tuition for distance education bachelor's degrees is $330 per credit, and students can transfer in up to 90 credit hours.

How We Rank Schools

To choose the programs for this list, our methodology started by using NCES and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard as sources. We looked for schools that met the following criteria:

• Location: Our initial list focused specifically on Connecticut colleges and universities.
• Accreditation: All schools on both lists hold regional accreditation.
• Type: We only included four-year public or private nonprofit schools.
• Online programs: We focused in on schools offering a variety of online degrees, specifically at the bachelor's level, as well as support services for online learners.

Pros and Cons of Online Degrees in Connecticut

There are benefits and downsides to attending accredited colleges online. Below, we've gone over some common pros and cons.

Pros of earning an online degree:

• On your schedule: Most online classes allow students to complete their coursework when it works best for them, allowing students to schedule around other responsibilities like work and family.
• Location flexibility: Without having to travel to campus, you can do your coursework wherever you prefer�at home, a coffee shop, the library, or on break at work.
• More choices: Because you're not tied to a specific location, you can search for programs at schools all over the country.

Cons of earning an online degree:

• Requires more self-discipline: Because online courses are less structured, it can be harder to stay on task and get your work done on time.
• Different learning style: Some students struggle with the different learning style of online courses, which is less lecture-based and more dependent on reading and discussion posts.
• Fewer choices: While you can choose from a greater variety of colleges, many majors, especially those that are extremely hands-on, are not available online.

How To Choose the Best Online College in Connecticut

It can be hard to know what the best college for online learning is for you. There are several factors to look for, including:

• Accreditation: Whatever school you choose needs to be accredited, preferably regionally accredited.
• Major: Not all schools offer every major online.
• Admissions requirements: Some schools require only a high school diploma, while others have stricter requirements.
• Pace of schedule: Often, online programs will be available in accelerated or part-time schedules to allow students to choose the pace that works for them.
• Cost: Costs can vary significantly between institutions, and public schools often have lower rates than private institutions (though not always).
• Financial aid: Like cost, financial aid opportunities can vary between schools.

How Much Does an Online Degree in Connecticut Cost?

Tuition for online college programs in Connecticut can vary. Of the schools above, Charter Oak State College has the lowest tuition rate at $329 per credit for bachelor's programs, while Albertus Magnus College has the highest at $583 per credit. However, the total cost of your degree will depend on several factors, including financial aid.

Tips on How To Make Online College in Connecticut More Affordable

There are a few things you can do to make your college experience more affordable. The first is to choose a college with a more affordable tuition rate; there are a few affordable online colleges in Connecticut.

Additionally, all students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The reason it's so important to choose accredited colleges for online learning is that almost all accredited schools accept aid through FAFSA.

• online colleges that accept FAFSA
• online colleges with payment plans
• online colleges that accept the Pell Grant
• online colleges that accept transfer credits
• online colleges with scholarships
• online colleges with no application fee

Connecticut Scholarships & Grants

Scholarships and grants are types of financial aid that you do not need to pay back. There are a few scholarships and grants available specifically to Connecticut students which you can find on Connecticut's Office of Higher Education website.

Roberta B. Willis Need-Based Grant Program

The Roberta B. Willis Need-Based Grant Program is a program for Connecticut residents who demonstrate financial need. There is no separate application for this program; students just need to fill out the FAFSA.

Award Amount: Up to $4,500

Deadline: Varies by school

Free Tuition at CT State

The CT State Community College system is offering free tuition to Connecticut residents attending one of the state's two-year institutions. Students need to fill out the FAFSA, but there is no additional application beyond that.

Award Amount: Up to full tuition costs

Deadline: N/A

CT Health Horizons Program

The CT Health Horizons Program aims to increase the number of nurses and social workers in the state of Connecticut. It helps students pay for their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and Master of Social Work (MSW) degrees.

Award Amount: Up to $10,000

Deadline: Varies by institution

Top Majors for Connecticut Graduates

According to the NCES, the top fields of study for students in Connecticut are:

• Business: Business degrees often offer concentrations like finance, human resources, management, and marketing, so students can tailor their coursework to their intended career path.
• Healthcare: Common healthcare majors for bachelor's degrees include nursing, healthcare administration, and health sciences.
• Humanities: Humanities encompasses fields like art, culture, and languages, and can lead to a variety of careers within those fields.
• Social sciences and history: Social sciences, like social work and political science, as well as history, can help you start careers in research, academia, public policy, social welfare, and more.
• Natural sciences and mathematics: A degree in one of the social sciences or in mathematics can open doors to hands-on roles in the field or careers in research or academia.

FAQs About Accredited Online Colleges in Connecticut

Below, we've answered a few frequently asked questions about accredited online colleges in Connecticut.

How Quickly Can I Earn My Degree Online in Connecticut?

Typically, it takes about four years of full-time study to earn a bachelor's degree. However, there are schools that offer accelerated online degrees in Connecticut that allow students to finish their degrees faster.

Are Any Online Colleges Worth It?

Accredited online colleges are worth it to many students. These colleges allow students to earn a high-quality degree on a flexible schedule. This makes earning a degree much easier for those who work full-time or have children or other family members to care for.

What Is the Easiest Online Master's Degree To Get?

The easiest online master's degree will depend on your strengths. That being said, many students find Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees to be relatively easy to earn online.

Can I Transfer Online Courses for College Credit?

If you are transferring credits from one regionally accredited school to another, you shouldn't have any problems. Some schools also award credit for courses taken on sites like Coursera, edX, and Study.com. However, schools often have a limit as to how many transfer credits they will accept.

Can I Earn an Education Degree Online in Connecticut?

It is possible to earn an education degree online in Connecticut. Charter Oak State College offers an online bachelor's degree in early childhood education. Several universities, including Sacred Heart University and the University of Connecticut, offer various graduate degrees in education online.

Discover Online Bachelor's Degree Programs in Connecticut

Find the perfect online college for you by exploring the accredited programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual online colleges in Connecticut to learn more about enrollment, financial aid, and online options.