The University of Connecticut (UConn) is a public school that every potential college student comes across when searching for their future alma mater. It’s well known for its success in sports like basketball. However, many students will still wonder, is UConn a good school? With the UConn rankings covered in this article, you can find out.
The article broadly covers several facets of the school and what UConn is known for. It’ll provide you with answers to questions about the admissions process, scholarship consideration, academic credit, and retention rates. You’ll also learn about various options for degree holders, notable alumni, and the average salaries of UConn graduates. Discover all of this as well as UConn reviews in this article.
UConn Profile
- Campus Locations: Storrs, Avery Point, Hartford, Stamford, and Waterbury
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
- Acceptance Rate: 56%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Annual Undergraduate Tuition: $18,524 (in state); $41,192 (out of state)
- Annual Graduate Tuition: $17,532 (in state); $39,444 (out of state)
The University of Connecticut is a public flagship university and is one of the premier public universities in the US. It was founded in 1881 as the Storrs Agricultural School. The school has also made a name for itself as one of the best schools in the nation, with a great graduation rate. The numbers and figures above came from the National Center for Education Statistics.
UConn has an undergraduate student body of 18,917 and a 16:1 ratio of undergraduate students to faculty. This lends itself to a good average class size, despite the large population of students. Over the years, the school has produced many notable alumni, including more than one award-winning author of novels, as well as musicians, and even a ten-time all-star basketball player.
Where Is UConn?
The University of Connecticut is located in Connecticut. However, it has multiple branches across various states. It also has distance learning options for those out of the state or country. The campuses include Storrs, which is the flagship school campus, Avery Point, Hartford, Stamford, and Waterbury.
What Is UConn Known For?
UConn is well known for providing a well-rounded college experience. It has a ton of undergraduate degrees and a healthy number of graduate options, including a solid doctoral program. In fact, UConn’s ranking is number 63 on the US News & World Report’s list of National Universities.
The school also offers students a splendid social life to maintain balance. Furthermore, the Princeton Review gives the University of Connecticut an extremely favorable QOT rating, especially for first-year students.
Is UConn Ivy League?
No, the University of Connecticut is not an Ivy League School. The Ivy League refers to eight fiercely competitive schools in the American northeast. This name was used specifically to refer to the sports division these schools competed in but has expanded to be a badge of prestige and achievement for them.
These universities are all well-known for excellence in several metrics, including sports, student outcomes, and academia. They also have strict criteria for consideration for admission, leading to some of the lowest acceptance rates of any undergrad or grad school. While it’s not one of these elite eight, the University of Connecticut is still a great institution.
How Big Is UConn?
The University of Connecticut is a big institution, with over 27,000 undergraduate and graduate students across five campuses in the state of Connecticut. It’s also the biggest of any private or public university in the state. Each location has a relatively large campus size, with most offering a selection of undergraduate degrees in addition to other programs on campus.
Is a Degree From UConn Good?
Yes, a degree from the University of Connecticut is good. It is an institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. Plus, with many individually accredited undergraduate and graduate degrees on offer, the university is up to standard by many metrics. It offers great value for both undergraduate and graduate students with fair tuition rates.
How Much Does UConn Cost?
The tuition rate at the University of Connecticut is $15,672 in state and $38,340 out of state. In addition to these, there’s also $3,762 in university fees to be paid. While this tuition rate is above the national average for a public institution, the quality of education at this flagship school puts it on par with even costlier private institutions.
All of these work out to be a reasonable price to pay for the level of quality there. However, there’s also the indirect cost of attendance, such as housing costs. This tends to vary based on the individual and between campuses.
UConn Financial Aid
UConn accepts and works with FAFSA registration to help students get financial aid. The school has a dedicated department that helps students process these opportunities. This can be helpful for students since more than 80 percent of undergraduates over the last few years have required and received some form of financial aid, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
In addition, there are also a number of scholarships and financial aid opportunities within the school. New full-time undergraduate students undergo scholarship consideration at the time of their enrollment. These are generally based on academic merit.
UConn Scholarships
- STEM Scholarship. This scholarship is reserved for high school seniors that achieve high remarks and are signing up for full-time enrollment in a STEM major. In addition, they have to show an interest in the field that matches the university’s vested interest in STEM studies. Successful recipients will be enrolled in the Honors Program as well as the STEM Scholars group.
- Nutmeg Scholarship. This is a full scholarship opportunity that’s reserved for students that show both academic excellence and a desire to help the community. It covers both direct and indirect costs of attendance for full-time students and is only open to residents of Connecticut who complete the application.
- Stamps Scholars Award. This is a full support scholarship that covers all related school fees along with a stipend for enrichment experiences. Eligible students need to first qualify for the Nutmeg or Day of Pride scholarship. The Stamps Scholars award also entitles students to opportunities while studying, such as the scholar’s program and additional support for post-graduate programs.
- UConn Award. This renewable aid opportunity is open to high school students that have shown good high school academic averages. While standardized test scores aren’t required, they can boost consideration.
- Global Leader Award. This merit-based scholarship is for potential college students of high academic standing who also display leadership skills both within and outside the classroom setting.
UConn Rankings
The University of Connecticut is renowned both locally and on an international scale. As such, it’s consistently featured in various school rankings. Here are the UConn rankings on several prominent lists.
UConn US News & World Report Ranking
The University of Connecticut ranks 324 in the US World & News Report’s ranking of global universities. Furthermore, it ranks at number 63 on the national rankings, tying with Penn State for that position. There’s a significant increase in standing when narrowed down to Arts and Humanities, Ecological studies, and Optics.
UConn Times Higher Education Ranking
The Times Higher Education Ranking places the University of Connecticut within the 401 to 500 in the world and number 103 in the US. The ranking also spotlights the teaching efficacy and citations, areas in which the school stands out.
UConn Center for World University Rankings
Center for World University Rankings has the University of Connecticut listed at number 198 in the world, placing it in the global top 200. UConn’s ranking is number 70 domestically. Additionally, the school has an overall score of 78.7.
UConn QS World University Rankings
The QS World University ranking for UConn is 350, while the US rating on the same scale is 71. The school scores are high in the areas of Citations per Faculty, International Research Network, and International Faculty Ratio.
UConn Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU)
On the Academic Ranking of World Universities, the University of Connecticut is ranked around 201 to 300. In the regional ranking, UConn fits within the 63 to 89 range in the US. It also ranks significantly higher in some of the subject-specific rankings. Significant performance can be seen in Communication, Dentistry, and Sociology.
Top Programs at UConn
The University of Connecticut offers a wide range of courses for part-time and full-time students at different college degree levels. Many of these are done at its flagship campus, with more offerings at specialized satellite campuses. This section will cover those, as well as a few other special programs.
Bachelor’s Degrees at UConn
UConn has over 115 majors for undergraduate degrees for full-time undergraduate students to choose from. They cover almost every discipline relevant to the modern academic stage and offer world-class instruction. This section covers some standout bachelor’s degrees.
Bachelor of Science in Management and Engineering for Manufacturing
This program is jointly hosted by the Schools of Management and Engineering. It aims to equip students with both the technical and managerial skills required to take up leadership positions in the manufacturing industry. The program also offers a concentration in naval science and technology.
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Geography
The University of Connecticut’s undergraduate geography program comes in two distinct parts. The BA focuses on skills required in geography-adjacent careers such as urban planning and environmental work. Meanwhile, the BS focuses on the scientific study of geography and lays the groundwork for further academic work.
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
Sociology takes an analytical look at the social life of people and their role in creating it. As one of UConn’s well-regarded courses, the BA in Sociology is an excellent choice for a first degree. The program has been updated to reflect current social issues as well as incorporate social justice ideals and equity considerations.
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Master’s Degrees at UConn
UConn offers a selection of graduate courses that complements the listing of undergraduate options. One in every four UConn undergraduate students opts to pursue further education, with the majority of them choosing to return to UConn for their graduate studies. Alumni also get priority consideration in the graduate admissions process.
Fifth-Year Master of Arts in Political Science
Any full-time undergraduate student in the political science program can opt to enroll in this accelerated master’s degree program. The program allows students to complete both BA and MA in political science in five years, as opposed to the typical six. In addition, a research project presentation is required to complete the program.
Master of Science in Data Science
This is a professional degree program that’s completed over an 11-month period. Students are offered 12 distinct concentrations, allowing them to plot a course for whatever industry interests them. The program also emphasizes ethical concerns and other similar considerations.
Master of Science Degree in Athletic Training
Reorganized in 2019, this academic degree is uniquely certified by UConn’s history of health care innovation and the success of the school’s sports teams and notable alumni athletes. The program gets priority consideration, exposing students to an interdisciplinary offering of practical clinical experience for specialist medical students.
Other Top Programs at UConn
In addition to undergraduate programs and master’s degrees, the University of Connecticut also offers a range of other programs. These include PhD programs, associate’s degrees, and graduate certificates in various areas of study. The following section highlights some of the more remarkable offerings.
Master of Arts/Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology
UConn’s School of Sociology offers a graduate program at the PhD level, which also nets students an MA in Sociology. The program requires a BA, though not necessarily in sociology. Any candidates that have already acquired an MA in Sociology will be able to complete the program in reduced time, provided they presented a thesis to complete the program. You’ll also need a doctoral dissertation defense to complete the program.
Graduate Certificate in Advanced Systems Engineering
Qualified engineers are eligible to take this full online certificate course in advanced systems engineering. The purpose of the program is to equip students with updated technical knowledge and skills needed to face challenges in analytical systems engineering. As a bonus, some of the courses within this certificate program count towards completing a mechanical engineering degree.
Graduate Certificate in Music Performance
This program is designed for musicians that require focused instruction on music performance. In addition to studying applied music, participants in this program will also get to perform in an ensemble to refine their practical performance skills. This program is open to prior degree holders and takes one academic year to complete.
How to Apply to UConn
- Apply online. Aspiring students are directed to apply to the school through either the Common App or Coalition for College to begin the undergraduate admissions application to UConn. There might also be program-specific requirements to note.
- Process non-refundable fee. There’s a non-refundable $80 fee along with the initial application. This can be paid directly or processed through the same app.
- Submit a personal essay. An essay of between 250 and 650 words should be submitted along with the application. This serves as one of the few non-academic admissions factors that ensure a more holistic admissions policy. It also doubles as a writing proficiency assessment that’s checked by the admissions officer.
- Submit a self-reported academic record (SRAR) or transcript. Undergraduate degree candidates are expected to submit an SRAR. Alternatively, a formal high school transcript should be submitted instead, with senior year classes, class rank, and most recent scores included. A GED score is also permissible.
- Review and provide optional information. Lastly, double-check the state of the application and provide any optional information you choose. This can include immigration status or letters of recommendation.
How Much Do UConn Graduates Earn?
According to PayScale, UConn graduates earn an average salary of $76,000, not accounting for other forms of monetary compensation or bonuses. The earnings of alumni members are pretty high. This is in line with the expected average starting salaries for a newly concluded full-time undergraduate student, according to the NCES.
Is UConn a Good College?
Yes, UConn is a good college. UConn has a good balance of all the factors that make up a good institution. The school’s holistic admissions policy, combined with universal scholarship consideration and a wide range of undergrad and graduate degrees, make it open and appealing to any potential student.
In addition to solid instruction and impressive research, UConn also offers students opportunities to enjoy a rich social life. From basketball championships to healthcare innovation and even coding bootcamps, UConn truly blankets the ideals of a good college.
Is UConn a Good School? FAQ
Most UConn alumni remain within the state after graduation, whether seeking higher education or entering the workforce. Approximately 63 percent of graduates accept positions with companies that have Connecticut business locations. The next highest concentration is in nearby states, with New York and Massachusetts taking up a significant portion of those that choose to leave the state.
UConn graduates work in a variety of industries and at various levels in some of the largest companies in Connecticut. Some of these companies include PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), General Dynamics Electric Boat, Yale’s New Haven Hospital, and more.
Gaining entry to UConn isn’t that difficult. Some people might be hesitant due to the challenging state school admission process. However, UConn’s criteria for consideration are holistic, so there’s a chance for everyone with a real passion for the institution to get in. However, it’s worth noting that the school has an acceptance rate of around 39 percent, so it is more selective than other institutions, and accepted students typically demonstrate high academic quality.
Yes, UConn has a well-organized alumni association. It merged with the UConn foundation in 2015 to improve UConn and the experience for all past and present students. Moreover, this strong alumni relationship is one of UConn’s most endearing characteristics.
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