Best Accredited Online Colleges in Connecticut

Connecticut’s most famous school may be Yale University, but the Constitution State is also home to 36 other colleges and universities. Connecticut enrolled almost 190,000 college students in 2022, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Of those students, 19.3% only take online classes, while 23.8% take at least one distance education course — in total, 43.1% of enrollees in the state take advantage of online learning.

Use our guide to learn more about accredited online colleges in Connecticut.

Accreditation indicates an independent accrediting agency has evaluated a school to determine whether it meets standards of academic excellence. The sections below describe the different types of accreditation and methods for determining a school’s accreditation status.

Nonprofit colleges and universities in Connecticut commonly hold institutional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Though NECHE was once a regional accrediting agency, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) dissolved regional and national accreditation to create institutional accreditation. Attending a school with institutional accreditation usually makes it easier to qualify for federal financial aid and transfer credits to other schools.

While schools receive institutional accreditation, individual programs can also receive programmatic accreditation, an optional designation. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and ED maintain a directory of approved subject-specific accrediting agencies. Programmatic accreditation can influence your ability to get licensed in industries such as psychology, nursing, and veterinary medicine.

For example, the Connecticut Department of Public Health recommends prospective clinical mental health counselors earn master’s degrees with accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs.

Accredited schools and programs typically state their accreditation status online. If a school’s website does not display accreditation status, check the databases of relevant accrediting agencies. CHEA and College Source Online maintain searchable databases of accredited schools and programs.

Even under ideal conditions, transferring credits between schools can be a complicated process. One way to facilitate easier transfer of credits is to always attend accredited schools, as this verifies that you completed your coursework at a reputable college or university. Some institutions may not accept transfer credits from unaccredited schools.

Transfer credits can save you time and money at your new school by letting you avoid repeating classes you’ve already taken. Each institution maintains its own rules about transfer credits: For example, The University of Connecticut accepts up to 90 transfer credits, while Connecticut College will only accept as many as 64 credits.

Some professions, including jobs in fields like healthcare, education, and engineering, may require you to complete an accredited program and/or graduate from an accredited school to qualify for licensure. For instance, Connecticut’s professional engineers and land surveyors need an accredited degree to apply for initial licensure.

Researching online colleges in Connecticut helps ensure that you find a degree that aligns with your career goals. Consider factors like the following as you research schools:

Look up each prospective institution’s accreditation status. Colleges can hold institutional accreditation only after undergoing review from a third-party organization. This process examines student outcomes, educational quality, and faculty credentials.

Generally, the federal government requires schools to hold accreditation for its students to qualify for federal financial aid programs, including loans and need-based grants.

Connecticut college students can use financial aid to help cover tuition costs. Funding sources include work-study positions, scholarships, and grants. Because financial aid varies by institution, check each school’s funding options.

Online colleges in Connecticut help make education more accessible, particularly for students with family or work obligations. Fully online degrees may use synchronous classes, where learners meet with peers and instructors at set times through webconferencing, or asynchronous courses, which do not require scheduled meetings. Schools may also offer hybrid programs that combine in-person and online classes. Be sure to choose the learning format that suits your lifestyle and educational preferences.

Schools collect data about student outcomes, which can offer insight into how well a college or university meets learners’ needs. For instance, graduation rates reveal how long it takes the average student to graduate with a degree. Schools also track demographic makeup, average salaries for graduates, and retention rates.

Some institutions also provide information about employment outcomes for students. For instance, Connecticut College reports health centers like Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Tufts Medical Center are among the top employers of the school’s graduates. Similarly, the University of Connecticut reports top-employing companies for its alumni include Deloitte, Hartford Hospital, and PwC.

The Adult Education division of the Connecticut State Department of Education provides resources for adult learners. Connecticut residents can access a college directory, GED transcript request forms, and a list of free programs for adult learners.

The Connecticut Community Foundation serves people and nonprofits in 21 towns across the Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills area. The foundation awards hundreds of scholarships each year. Most awards require only one general application.

Families and students can access this financial literacy portal to learn about filling out the FAFSA, saving money for college, and pursuing scholarships and grants. Visitors can also learn more about the Connecticut Higher Education Trust 529 College Savings Program.

This registry from the Connecticut Office of Higher Education allows students to search for state-approved programs, including two-year and four-year institutions as well as career and technical schools.

The Connecticut Office of Higher Education provides the latest state news about higher education and education trends. The website also provides information about state scholarship and grant programs, including the Roberta B. Willis scholarship and grant programs and the CHESLA Loan program.