Connecticut Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide
To qualify for certification in Connecticut, teachers must complete a state-approved educator preparation program at an accredited institution. This guide was designed to help prospective educators consider their options for teaching degrees across Connecticut schools. You’ll find a comparison table of approved programs plus curated lists of highly rated and cost-conscious options to simplify your decision.
Table of Contents
- CT Teacher Preparation Program Comparison
- 7 Affordable CT Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Top-Ranked Connecticut Education Programs
- Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- US News Best Graduate Education Programs
- Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
Comparison of Connecticut Schools With Teacher Preparation Programs
The table below compares 14 Connecticut teacher preparation programs across key factors. All listed institutions are not-for-profit and approved by the Connecticut State Board of Education (SBE). Completing a state-approved program is a key step toward licensure. While Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accreditation is not required for licensure, we include it because CAEP is a nationally respected accreditor whose standards are recognized or accepted in many states.
Data includes enrollment, completion, and pass rates for traditional and alternative programs, based on the 2024 Title II Report (2022-2023 school year). Traditional programs are usually part of a bachelor’s degree, while alternative certification programs target career changers and may lead to a certificate or master’s degree. Many schools offer both—review our Connecticut traditional certification guide and our Connecticut alternative certification guide for more. Net price reflects the average annual cost for in-state undergraduates—tuition, books, room and board—minus grants and scholarships.
| State-Approved School | CAEP Accred.?1 | Trad. Teacher Program Enrollment2 | Trad. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers 2 | Trad. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment 2 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers 2 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Net Price3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albertus Magnus College | No | 15 | 4 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $27,492 |
| Central Connecticut State University | Yes | 405 | 150 | 89% | — | — | — | $16,017 |
| Connecticut College | No | — | — | — | — | — | — | $40,474 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Yes | 284 | 88 | 85% | — | — | — | $19,090 |
| Fairfield University | Yes | 108 | 44 | 97% | — | — | — | $43,173 |
| Mitchell College | No | 8 | 5 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $28,471 |
| Quinnipiac University | Yes | 200 | 69 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $41,815 |
| Sacred Heart University | Yes | 281 | 123 | 90% | — | — | — | $43,313 |
| Southern Connecticut State University | Yes | 640 | 230 | 71% | — | — | — | $19,220 |
| University of Bridgeport | Yes | 233 | 68 | 97% | — | — | — | $24,613 |
| University of Connecticut | Yes | 538 | 157 | 95% | — | — | — | $22,233 |
| University of Hartford | Yes | 358 | 117 | 85% | — | — | — | $28,692 |
| University of Saint Joseph | Yes | 176 | 73 | 80% | — | — | — | $24,176 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Yes | 203 | 50 | 79% | — | — | — | $17,383 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Connecticut
Our list of the most affordable bachelor’s in education programs is based on the net price per year for undergraduate tuition. Net price is the average cost of attendance after grants and scholarships are applied. These seven most affordable schools have a net price under $25,000.
- Central Connecticut State University ($16,017)
- Western Connecticut State University ($17,383)
- Eastern Connecticut State University ($19,090)
- Southern Connecticut State University ($19,220)
- University of Connecticut ($22,233)
- University of Saint Joseph ($24,176)
- University of Bridgeport ($24,613)3
Top-Ranked Schools With Education Programs in Connecticut
Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Connecticut
Our list of the top five bachelor’s in education programs is based on the traditional pathway pass rate data from the 2024 Title II Reports.
- Fairfield University (97%)
- University of Bridgeport (97%)
- University of Connecticut (95%)
- Sacred Heart University (90%)
- Central Connecticut State University (89%)2
US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Education Programs 2025
- University of Connecticut (#37 tie)
- Central Connecticut State University (#193 tie)
- University of Hartford (#215 tie)4
Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational level required to qualify for state certification, an associate degree can be the first step toward a career in education. It can qualify graduates for careers in non-licensed roles in early childhood education, after-school care, and related areas. The credits earned from an accredited associate degree program can also typically be transferred toward a bachelor’s degree. The four Connecticut schools below offer associate degrees in education.3 Schools with an asterisk (*) also offer four-year teaching programs and/or alternative route to certification programs.
- Connecticut State Community College*
- Charter Oak State College*
- Goodwin University
- Mitchell College*
References:
1. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
2. US Department of Education 2024 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
3. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
4. US News & World Report Best Graduate Education Schools 2025: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/edu-rankings