Central Connecticut State University
Central Connecticut State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Central Connecticut State University at a Glance
Central Connecticut State University is a public university in New Britain, Connecticut. Founded in 1849 as the State Normal School, CCSU is Connecticut's oldest publicly-funded university. It is made up of four schools: the Ammon College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences; the School of Business; the School of Education and Professional Studies; and the School of Engineering, Science, and Technology. As of Spring 2022, the university was attended by 8,898 students: 7,054 undergraduate students…
1849
177 years old
$80M
$80 million (2020)
10,039
8,287 undergrad · 1,752 grad
Identity
Is Central Connecticut State University Worth It?
Central Connecticut State University offers moderate value at $16,857/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $58,562, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 49% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Central Connecticut State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #37 of 74 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #3 | Purdue University Northwest | 86 | $6,079 | $48,318 |
| #4 | Solano Community College | 83 | $4,669 | $44,170 |
| #5 | University of Michigan-Flint | 81 | $7,007 | $53,230 |
| #6 | Northern Kentucky University | 77 | $8,191 | $50,220 |
| #37 | Central Connecticut State University | 42 | $16,857 | $58,562 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Central Connecticut State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in CT.
Best Programs at Central Connecticut State University
The highest-earning program at Central Connecticut State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $67,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $17,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Central Connecticut State University earns $67,600, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $17,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $22,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $16,857/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $67,600 | $67,600 | $22,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $65,500 | $65,500 | $27,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $62,900 | $62,900 | $20,000 |
| Construction Management | $61,300 | $61,300 | $26,000 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $61,000 | $61,000 | $20,144 |
| Civil Engineering | $60,700 | $60,700 | $27,250 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $60,500 | $60,500 | $27,000 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $57,100 | $57,100 | $20,438 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $50,500 | $50,500 | $16,750 |
| Mathematics | $49,500 | $49,500 | $20,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $48,600 | $48,600 | $19,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $46,600 | $46,600 | $21,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $43,300 | $43,300 | $21,972 |
| Economics | $42,800 | $42,800 | $20,228 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $37,700 | $37,700 | $27,500 |
| Marketing | $37,000 | $37,000 | $21,870 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $36,500 | $36,500 | $26,511 |
| Social Work | $34,600 | $34,600 | $25,500 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $33,900 | $33,900 | $20,750 |
| Biology, General | $33,000 | $33,000 | $20,632 |
| Criminology | $32,800 | $32,800 | $23,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $32,100 | $32,100 | $22,000 |
| History | $30,800 | $30,800 | $27,000 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $30,700 | $30,700 | $26,125 |
| Psychology, General | $29,700 | $29,700 | $23,648 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $28,700 | $28,700 | $24,620 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $28,300 | $28,300 | $23,519 |
| Sociology | $27,800 | $27,800 | $27,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $17,000 | $17,000 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in CT
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- New Britain, CT
- Student Body
- 7,822 students
- Admission Rate
- 73%
- Graduation Rate
- 49%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $16,857
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $58,562
- Median Student Debt
- $22,300