Affordable Education in Connecticut?

Hey all, I've been thinking about college recently and would like to stay close to family, in Connecticut. Can someone tell me about the least expensive colleges in CT?

Of course, when thinking about affordability, it's important to think both about the sticker price of the university (tuition, room and board, and other expenses as published by the school) and the net price (the actual cost to a student and their family after financial aid is factored in).

In Connecticut, the public universities are generally the most affordable when considering just sticker price. The Connecticut State University system (Eastern Connecticut State University, Central Connecticut State University, Southern Connecticut State University, and Western Connecticut State University) have lower tuition rates than most private institutions.

Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU) for instance has a tuition and fees value of approximately $12,500 per academic year for in-state students. Room and board are estimated to be around $15,000 annually, making the total cost around $27,500.

Charter Oak State College is an online institution, also part of the CT public university system, with a focus on adult learners. Depending on your situation, this could potentially be an economical choice.

Unlike many public university systems, the University of Connecticut (UConn) is a bit pricey for an in-state public institution, with in-state tuition and fees around $17,000. However, UConn also tends to give more generous financial aid than some other schools.

In terms of private universities, some have 'sticker prices' that seem incredibly high, but they also provide substantial amounts of financial aid which can significantly lower the net price. Yale, for example, offers 100% of demonstrated need and has a sliding scale of expected parental contributions for families making under $200,000 a year. Families making under $75,000 pay nothing.

Trinity College and Connecticut College also meet 100% of demonstrated need, though their calculation of what families can pay tends to be slightly higher than Yale's.

Once you’ve figured out your college list, look for their Net Price Calculator online to get a firm understanding of the costs after aid. The sticker price at private schools like Yale can be intimidating, but what you actually end up paying out of pocket can actually be lower than the sticker price at schools that are less generous with financial aid.

Don't forget to apply for financial aid using the FAFSA, which is used by all colleges to award federal financial aid and often state and institutional aid as well. Also, consider looking into merit scholarships, which are often separate from need-based financial aid and can significantly lower the cost of attending.

Good luck with your college search!