Rankings

The Top 10 MBA Programs in Connecticut

MBA Programs in Connecticut - featured image

Nestled in the southernmost region of New England, Connecticut is a densely populated state with a remarkably high median household income. With many prospering industries driving its economy, the state offers excellent employment opportunities to Master of Business Administration graduates.

Connecticut is famous for its diversified manufacturing industry anchored in its highly skilled and technical workforce. The state is home to companies like helicopter maker Sikorsky Aircraft, audio equipment maker Haman International, and pharmaceuticals manufacturer Boehringer Ingelheim. 

Regardless of the products being manufactured, the industry definitely has room to employ professionals with post-baccalaureate degrees in Business Administration, especially those trained in prestigious colleges and universities to have strong business leadership skills!

MBA Programs in Connecticut - fact

Despite being the third smallest state in terms of area, Connecticut is also known for its large financial services, calling itself the Insurance Capital of the World, where numerous hedge funds and insurance companies thrive. For MBA degree holders, particularly those specializing in Accounting, Finance, and other related fields, the state is an ideal place to pursue a career.

The health and research industry in Connecticut boasts large employment opportunities, as well, making it ideal for MBA graduates with a Health and Sciences track.

If you’re considering earning an MBA in Connecticut to catapult your career to success, you’re in luck! The state is home to several public and private educational institutions that offer graduate degree programs, including the only Ivy League school located in the state, Yale University.


Top 10 MBA Programs in Connecticut

School of Management – Yale University

School of Management - Yale University

Based in New Haven, Yale University is the only Ivy League institution in the state of Connecticut. It is also the country’s third-oldest higher education institution. Its School of Management is committed to educating leaders who will build successful organizations that will make a difference in the world.

The Yale School of Management offers a couple of business administration programs at the Master’s level. These are:

The MBA for Executives is a program designed for students with considerable work experience. It provides advanced leadership study with the option to specialize in the following fields:

Yale University has continuously obtained accreditation approval from the New England Commission of Higher Education or NECHE since 1929. 

Yale’s School of Management is also Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business or AACSB-accredited.


School of Business – University of Connecticut

School of Business - University of Connecticut

University of Connecticut (UConn) is a research university dedicated to providing outstanding education in its main campus at Storrs and in six other campuses across Connecticut. It was originally established as Storrs Agricultural School in 1881 and ultimately became the University of Connecticut in 1939.

The University’s Hartford-based School of Business offers three MBA programs to professionals looking for a curriculum that best suits their personal and professional goals. These programs are:

The Online MBA is a 100% online program that can be finished in 2 years (or 3 years at a flexible pace). On the other hand, the Flex MBA is available as an on-campus program in UConn’s Hartford and Stamford campuses with classes also available in online or hybrid learning formats. 

Both the Online MBA and the Flex MBA programs offer seven concentrations, namely:

  • General Business
  • Marketing
  • Management
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Finance
  • Business Ethics and Compliance
  • Business Analytics (STEM Designated)

Experienced professionals can enroll in UConn’s Executive MBA where they attend premium classes in Hartford with a small cohort for networking and close collaboration. Students can complete the program in as short as 20 months.

All of UConn’s three MBA programs require students to complete 42 credits toward graduation.

The accreditation of the UConn School of Business to offer its undergraduate and graduate programs has been continuously approved by the AACSB since 1958. The University is also institutionally accredited by NECHE.


School of Business – Quinnipiac University

School of Business - Quinnipiac University

Quinnipiac University is a Hamden-based private university that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. It was established in 1929 in New Haven as Connecticut College of Commerce. Since then, it has made several name changes until 2000 when it was officially renamed to its present-day name.

The University’s School of Business takes pride in being in the top third of business schools in the U.S. and boasts of a 99.7% placement rate of its graduates in 2022. It offers two MBA programs and several dual degree programs, namely:

MBA students have the option to choose the following Concentrations for their Master’s degree.

  • Leadership
  • Strategic Management
  • Marketing
  • Finance
  • Accounting
  • Business Analytics
  • Strategic Business Communication
  • Innovation and Market Disruption
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Healthcare Management

Quinnipiac University has obtained institutional accreditation from NECHE and from the Office of Higher Education of the State of Connecticut.

The University’s School of Business also upholds the educational and quality standards set by AACSB International for its undergraduate and graduate business programs.


The Charles F. Dolan School of Business – Fairfield University

The Charles F. Dolan School of Business - Fairfield University

Fairfield University is committed to equipping today’s workforce with the capability to thrive and adapt to the constantly evolving global market. Thus, its Charles F. Dolan School of Business offers at least 50 post-baccalaureate and certificate programs in on-campus, online, and hybrid learning formats.

Among the graduate programs offered by the Fairfield Dolan School of Business are:

The MBA program, which is available to full-time and part-time students, offers seven concentrations:

  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Accounting
  • Finance
  • Analytics
  • Economics
  • Cybersecurity

Fairfield University is NECHE-accredited. Fairfield Dolan has also obtained accreditation from AACSB International. Fairfield Egan also gained authorization from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education to award degrees including Masters in Nursing programs.


Pompea College of Business – University of New Haven

Pompea College of Business - University of New Haven

Based in West Haven, the University of New Haven is a private institution that was established in 1920 on Yale University campus. Its initial name was New Haven YMCA Junior College and was a branch of Northeastern University. It moved to West Haven in 1960 and was officially renamed to its current name in 1970.

The University, through its Pompea College of Business, offers a variety of business administration programs at post-baccalaureate levels.

Students in the full-time and flexible MBA programs can choose a Concentration for their Master’s degree.

  • Strategy Leadership
  • Human Resource Management
  • Management Finance
  • Business Analytics (also available to Online MBA students)

They also have the option for the following Concentrations that are STEM-certified by the federal government:

  • Marketing and Digital Marketing
  • Financial Analysis
  • Data Analytics (also available to Online MBA students)
  • Global Supply Chain Management (also available to Online MBA students)

Pompea College of Business has met the rigorous accreditation standards set by the AACSB since 2015.

The University of New Haven has also been accredited by NECHE since 1948.


Ancell School of Business – Western Connecticut State University

Ancell School of Business - Western Connecticut State University

Western Connecticut State University is a public university in Danbury that’s part of the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities or CSCU. It was established as a teacher’s college in 1903 and now has four campuses including the Ancell School of Business, which offers undergraduate and graduate business degrees including:

WCSU’s MBA is available to working professionals who can complete the program in two years by attending at most two courses per semester. Full-time students, on the other hand, can finish the program in as short as 14 months.

The MBA program requires students to complete 37 graduate credits with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in order to obtain the Master’s credential.

NECHE has granted institutional accreditation to WCSU.

The Ancell School of Business has also received accreditation by AACSB.


School of Business – Central Connecticut State University

School of Business - Central Connecticut State University

Located in New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a public institution that’s considered the State’s oldest publicly funded university. It was established as the State Normal School in 1849, and now has four schools including the CCSU School of Business

The Central School of Business offers a range of undergraduate and graduate business degrees, including:

The CCSU’s MBA is a 30-to-54-credit program available to full-time and part-time students and starts every August and January. 

Students can also choose to customize their MBA degree with one of the following Specialization options:

  • General
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Accounting 
  • Finance
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Business Analytics

AACSB International recognizes the accreditation of the CCSU School of Business. The University also holds institutional accreditation from NECHE. 


Jack Welch College of Business and Technology – Sacred Heart University

Jack Welch College of Business and Technology - Sacred Heart University

Located in Fairfield, Sacred Heart University was established in 1963 and is the second-largest Christian university in the region of New England. This private university currently offers at least 80 degree programs from bachelor’s to doctorate levels.

SHU’s Jack Welch College of Business & Technology, as part of a Roman Catholic university, is committed to training students to make a positive contribution to the environment and the community. It offers a range of Bachelor’s and post-baccalaureate degrees in business, computer science, and engineering, including the following:

The MBA program is available to full-time and part-time students. It offers eight areas of Concentration, namely:

  • Management
  • Marketing, including Digital Marketing
  • Accounting
  • Finance
  • Strategic Human Resource Management
  • Business Analytics
  • Innovation Management
  • Healthcare Administration

Sacred Heart University’s institutional accreditation is endorsed by NECHE. Furthermore, the Welch College of Business & Technology is also an accredited member of AACSB.


Barney School of Business – University of Hartford

Barney School of Business - University of Hartford

Located in West Hartford, the University of Hartford is a private university established in 1957. It currently offers a range of Majors, including 28 graduate degrees. 

Through Barney School of Business, the University offers innovative Career Ready programs in the business field, including the following:

The MBA program offers students with a variety of Concentration options.

  • Marketing
  • Management
  • Finance
  • Accounting
  • Project Management
  • Business Analytics
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Risk Management and Insurance
  • International Business
  • Healthcare Management
  • Entrepreneurial Studies

The MBA Project Management Concentration has obtained programmatic accreditation from the PMI Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs.

The University also has the following accreditations for its colleges:

Since 1961, the University of Hartford has continuously obtained institutional accreditation from NECHE.


Southern Connecticut State University

Southern Connecticut State University

Southern Connecticut State University was established in 1893 as a teacher training school named New Haven State Normal School. It made several name changes until 1983 when it was officially renamed to its present name and became a part of the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities or CSCU.

The University offers a variety of post-baccalaureate business programs to suit the personal and professional goals of its students. These programs include the following:

The MBA programs offer a range of Concentrations, namely:

  • General Business Administration
  • Management
  • Finance
  • Accounting
  • Marketing
  • Business Analytics
  • Human Resource Management
  • International Business
  • Healthcare Administration

The University has received accreditation by NECHE. It is also an approved institution to participate in the NC-SARA.

The University is also dedicated to providing high-caliber business education as evidenced by its approved accreditation with the AACSB.


Frequently Asked Questions

What are the highest-paying positions for MBA professionals in Connecticut? 

Recent Labor Statistics Bureau information suggests the following management positions have the highest wages in Connecticut based on annual mean wage:

  • Chief Executives, $275,690
  • Financial Managers, $169,230
  • Compensation and Benefits Managers, $161,970
  • Marketing Managers, $160,330
  • Architectural and Engineering Managers, $159,160
  • Advertising and Promotions Managers, $159,040
  • Computer and Information Systems Managers, $155,830
  • General and Operations Managers, $150,930
  • Human Resources Managers, $146,560
  • Sales Managers, $144,030

The mean wage for all Management Occupations in Connecticut is $144,560 per year or $69.50 per hour.

What Business Administration positions provide the highest employment in Connecticut?

The BLS website reveals that there are around 139,660 employed in Management Occupations in Connecticut. The positions with the highest level of employment in the State are the following:

  • General and Operations Managers with the employment of 42,090
  • Financial Managers with employment of 19,540
  • Computer and Information Systems Managers with employment of 9,750
  • Sales Managers with the employment of 9,030
  • Medical and Health Services Managers with employment of 6,810
  • Marketing Managers with employment of 6,010
  • Education Administrators (Kindergarten through Secondary) with employment of 4,300
  • Social and Community Service Managers with employment of 3,950
  • Architectural and Engineering Managers with employment of 3,790
  • Human Resources Managers with employment of 3,440

Connecticut also ranks fourth in terms of states with the highest concentration of jobs for Management Occupations.

Which parts of Connecticut offer more desirable opportunities for MBA graduates?

Based on the BLS data, the metropolitan area of Bridgeport, Stamford and Norwalk has the highest concentration of Management Occupations in Connecticut. In fact, it’s ranked third among the country’s metropolitan regions with the highest location quotient for the job.

The Stamford, Bridgeport and Norwalk area is also the top-paying metropolitan area for Management Occupations in Connecticut at a mean wage of $163,330 per year or $78.53 per hour. It is also the fifth highest paying area across the country, according to the BLS report.


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