College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Connecticut

6 Colleges in the United States
$24,058 Avg Student Debt
$57,534 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Studies Badge [General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general studies education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for general studies students.

What’s on this page:

2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Connecticut

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Studies Schools

1

For return on investment in general studies, no school beat Capital Community College this year. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, with out-of-state students paying around $15,596. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $6,050. General Studies graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $25,072 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Central Connecticut State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,050 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,550 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $24,340 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $60,151. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Connecticut State University earned it the #3 place for general studies. Located in the town of Willimantic, Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,928, with out-of-state students paying around $17,426. Students borrow a median of $25,373 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Eastern Connecticut State University generally make around $41,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Connecticut State University earned it the #4 place for general studies. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,442, while out-of-state students pay about $16,942. Students borrow a median of $26,625 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $50,876. Set against $26,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Connecticut State University admits about 92% of applicants.

5

Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at University Of Connecticut, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $44,240 early in their careers. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Bridgeport earned the #6 position for value in general studies this year. University Of Bridgeport is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bridgeport. Students from in state pay about $35,760 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $35,340 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of University Of Bridgeport earn a median of $43,743 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,340 median debt. University Of Bridgeport admits about 83% of applicants.

7
Goodwin College crest
Goodwin College
East Hartford, CT

Goodwin College landed the #7 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the city of East Hartford, Goodwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,188. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $35,611. Early-career general studies graduates make about $52,724. Set against $35,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8
University Of Hartford crest
University Of Hartford
West Hartford, CT

University Of Hartford earned the #8 position for value in general studies this year. University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of West Hartford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,075. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $6,992. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hartford admits about 96% of applicants.

9
University Of New Haven crest
University Of New Haven
West Haven, CT

University Of New Haven landed the #9 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of West Haven, University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $47,332 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $26,244. General Studies graduates of University Of New Haven earn a median of $49,615 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Haven admits about 60% of applicants.

10

Sacred Heart University earned the #10 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,404. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $62,864. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

View All General Studies Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 13 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options