Top Nursing Schools in Connecticut
This page lists 19 schools in Connecticut that reported awards in licensed nursing education to the U.S. Department of Education for 2023-24 — including 4 practical/vocational nursing (LPN/LVN), 3 associate degree (ADN), 13 bachelor's (BSN), 13 master's and 6 Doctor of Nursing Practice award levels. By ownership, 6 public, 8 private nonprofit and 5 private for-profit. 17 appear in the CCNE or ACEN accreditor directories for at least one nursing program level. The largest concentrations are in New Britain (4), Bridgeport (2), Fairfield (2) and Hamden (2).
Data last reviewed: October 6, 2026
Sources: IPEDS (U.S. Dept. of Education) / CCNE directory / ACEN directory
Listing does not certify educational quality or guarantee licensure eligibility. Verify details with the school before applying.
Listed alphabetically. Inclusion is editorial selection, not a ranking — see our methodology. How schools are selected
Schools (19)
| School | Location | Ownership | Nursing awards / programs | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | Public | BSN, MSN, PhD-CRNA | CCNE |
| Charter Oak State College | New Britain, CT | Public | BSN | CCNE |
| Connecticut State Community College | New Britain, CT | Public | ADN | ACEN |
| Fairfield University | Fairfield, CT | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-PMHNP, DNP, DNP-CNM, DNP-FNP, DNP-PMHNP, Doctorate-CRNA | CCNE |
| Goodwin University | East Hartford, CT | Private nonprofit | ADN, BSN, MSN | CCNE, ACEN |
| Lincoln Technical Institute-New Britain | New Britain, CT | Private for-profit | LPN/LVN | ACEN |
| Lincoln Technical Institute-Shelton | Shelton, CT | Private for-profit | LPN/LVN | ACEN |
| Porter & Chester Institute | Bridgeport, CT | Private for-profit | LPN/LVN | — |
| Porter & Chester Institute of Hamden | Hamden, CT | Private for-profit | LPN/LVN | — |
| Post University | Waterbury, CT | Private for-profit | BSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-Leadership, MSN-PMHNP, DNP, DNP-Leadership | CCNE, ACEN |
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-Leadership, DNP | CCNE |
| Sacred Heart University | Fairfield, CT | Private nonprofit | ADN, BSN, MSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-Leadership, DNP, DNP-FNP | CCNE, ACEN |
| Southern Connecticut State University | New Haven, CT | Public | BSN, MSN-CNL, MSN-FNP, Post-Master's-FNP | CCNE |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN-Leadership | CCNE, ACEN (candidate) |
| University of Connecticut | Storrs, CT | Public | BSN, MSN, Grad Cert, Post-Master's, DNP, PhD | CCNE |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN-Leadership | CCNE |
| University of Saint Joseph | West Hartford, CT | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN, Post-Master's-PMHNP, DNP | CCNE |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | Public | BSN, MSN | CCNE |
| Yale University | New Haven, CT | Private nonprofit | MSN, Grad Cert, Post-Master's, PhD | CCNE |
Before you apply in Connecticut
- Prelicensure nursing programs must be approved by the state's board of nursing. Check the board's current list for the campus you will attend.
- Program accreditation (CCNE, ACEN or CNEA) is separate from state approval and from the institution's own accreditation. Each school page shows which records we found and where.
- Online programs based in another state may not accept residents of Connecticut. See online coursework and clinical requirements.