Best Nursing Schools in Hartford: Programs, Tuition & Rankings for 2026
GradeToGrad Editorial Team
February 12, 2026
Compare 7 Hartford nursing programs with real tuition and graduate earnings data from the College Scorecard.
Why Study Nursing in Hartford?
Hartford offers a strong healthcare market with growing demand for nurses across hospitals, clinics, and specialty care facilities. The metro area has 7 institutions offering nursing programs, from affordable community college ADN degrees to advanced doctoral programs.
Top University Nursing Programs
Central Connecticut State University (New Britain)
In-state tuition: $12,460/year | Acceptance rate: 75.5% | Graduation rate: 51.3%
Nursing graduates earn $240,887/year (Doctoral Degree). Enrollment: 7,670 students.
University of Hartford (West Hartford)
In-state tuition: $47,647/year | Acceptance rate: 83.0% | Graduation rate: 57.6%
Nursing graduates earn $102,233/year (Master's Degree). Enrollment: 4,032 students.
Western Connecticut State University (Danbury)
In-state tuition: $12,763/year | Acceptance rate: 81.4% | Graduation rate: 50.7%
Nursing graduates earn $127,107/year (Master's Degree). Enrollment: 3,434 students.
University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus (Hartford)
In-state tuition: $17,452/year | Acceptance rate: 86.5% | Graduation rate: 63.9%
Nursing graduates earn $137,216/year (Doctoral Degree). Enrollment: 1,473 students.
University of Saint Joseph (West Hartford)
In-state tuition: $45,908/year | Acceptance rate: 79.6% | Graduation rate: 65.4%
Nursing graduates earn $109,012/year (Master's Degree). Enrollment: 825 students.
University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus (Waterbury)
In-state tuition: $17,462/year | Acceptance rate: 87.0% | Graduation rate: 59.7%
Nursing graduates earn $137,216/year (Doctoral Degree). Enrollment: 746 students.
Affordable ADN Programs
| School | Location | Tuition | Nursing Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut State Community College | New Britain | $5,092/yr | $71,570/yr |
How to Choose the Right Program
Consider these factors when selecting a nursing program in Hartford:
- Budget: Community college ADN programs are the cheapest path to an RN license, often under $5,000/year
- Career goals: ADN gets you working fastest; BSN opens more doors; MSN/DNP leads to advanced practice and highest earnings
- Transfer path: Many local CCs have articulation agreements with universities for ADN-to-BSN bridges
- Clinical sites: Look for programs with rotations at major local hospitals
Financial Aid
- Federal Pell Grant — up to $7,395/year, often covers full CC tuition
- State grants — check Connecticut's state aid programs for residents
- HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship — tuition + living stipend for underserved area commitment
- Hospital tuition reimbursement — many employers pay for nurses pursuing higher degrees
Next Steps
Compare Hartford nursing programs on GradeToGrad — see tuition, outcomes, and admissions data for every school.
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