Community Colleges in Connecticut: All 14 Schools

Community colleges in Connecticut provide some of the most affordable, high-quality two-year programs available. Operating as a single accredited institution, the 12 schools that make up the Connecticut State Community College (CSCC) system have an average enrollment of over 2,600 students.

Connecticut has taken steps to make community college more affordable and accessible to all students. One way the state has done this is through the Pledge to Advance Connecticut (PACT) program. Under the PACT, eligible Connecticut residents can get help with tuition and fees that scholarships and other financial aid didn’t cover.

Additionally, all colleges in the CSCC system participate in the CT Guarantee program, which allows you to seamlessly transfer your credits (and associate degree) to any participating four-year Connecticut college or university.

You have a choice of many well-regarded community colleges in Connecticut. Here are three schools that belong to the CSCC system.

Formerly Naugatuck Valley Community College, CT State Naugatuck Valley, is coeducational and nonresidential. About 36% of enrollees are over the age of 25. Some of the most popular majors include business management, computer information systems, nursing, and psychology.

During the 2022-2023 academic year, in-state students paid $4,740 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students paid $14,140. The school offers many transfer options for those wanting to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

Previously known as Gateway Community College, CT State Gateway is the largest in the Connecticut State system. Located in downtown New Haven, the school is Connecticut State’s flagship urban campus, giving you access to many local industries.

CT State Gateway offers more than 75 majors and programs, and it has transfer agreements with over 20 four-year institutions. In-state tuition and fees here were $4,740 in 2022-2023, and the out-of-state rate was $14,140.

CT State Housatonic is located in Bridgeport, the state’s largest city, where it serves 11 towns in the area with diverse populations. The school’s demonstrated commitment to making access to college more equitable has earned it a distinction as an Achieving the Dream Institution.

Attending school at CT State Housatonic means that you have more than 75 programs or majors to choose from. You can also transfer your credits to a four-year institution if you want to earn a bachelor’s degree. For Connecticut residents, tuition in 2022-2023 was $4,740, and nonresidents paid $14,140.

We’ve created a complete list of all nonprofit community colleges in Connecticut, including four-year schools that primarily award associate degrees. You can use the table below to compare data on student population and the average net cost.

The following school data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Note that community colleges with a total undergraduate enrollment of fewer than 100 were not considered for this list.

For most aspiring college students, paying for higher education is one of the most important considerations in choosing their next academic home. If you have your sights on one of the community colleges in Connecticut, there’s a good chance that your tuition costs and other fees may be relatively affordable.

If you need help paying for college, you have options, such as needs-based grants, scholarships, student loans, and work-study programs. Depending on your financial situation or other circumstances, you may qualify for a combination of any of these funding sources.

Academic scholarships represent one of the types of financial assistance that you don’t have to pay back. It’s worth the time and effort to research available scholarships, including the following awards:

Thanks to the Pledge to Advance Connecticut (PACT), students attending community colleges in Connecticut can get help with tuition and fees that scholarships and other financial aid won’t cover. To benefit from this program, you must:

The state is home to 14 community colleges, 12 of which — all in the Connecticut State Community College system — operate as one accredited institution under the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities. The purpose of this consolidation is to provide an affordable and high-quality education for all students.

Connecticut’s community colleges hire qualified faculty, recruit diverse students, and maintain close ties with businesses and government entities in their communities.

By offering career-based programs, these schools train you to be a productive contributor to the state’s economy. Students graduating from these community colleges are also well prepared to pursue a bachelor’s degree at a four-year college.

Three community colleges in Connecticut offer similarly cheap average annual net prices, according to NCES: CT State Middlesex (net price: $6,306), CT State Norwalk (net price: $6,322), and CT State Three Rivers (net price: $6,398).

Remember that tuition and fees change almost constantly. It’s a good idea to check with a school’s admissions office to get the most updated information on educational costs. Also factor in other expenses like housing, campus fees, transportation, and technology fees.