Accredited nursing programs in Connecticut
17 schools in Connecticut have at least one nursing program accredited by ACEN or CCNE: 13 BSN, 3 ADN, 2 LPN, 13 MSN programs. 2 hold both accreditors across their programs. For the bachelor’s degree, 13 of 13 listings are CCNE and 0 are ACEN.
- Bachelor's programs
- 13
- 0 ACEN, 13 CCNE
- Associate programs
- 3
- 3 ACEN, 0 CCNE
- Practical programs
- 2
- 2 ACEN, 0 CCNE
- Master's programs
- 13
- 0 ACEN, 13 CCNE
Accredited schools in Connecticut
| School | City | Type | BSN | ADN | LPN | MSN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Charter Oak State College | New Britain | Public | CCNE | – | – | – |
| Connecticut State Community College | New Britain | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Fairfield University | Fairfield | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Goodwin University | East Hartford | Private | CCNE | ACEN | – | CCNE |
| Lincoln Technical Institute-New Britain | New Britain | For-profit | – | – | ACEN | – |
| Lincoln Technical Institute-Shelton | Shelton | For-profit | – | – | ACEN | – |
| Post University | Waterbury | For-profit | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Sacred Heart University | Fairfield | Private | CCNE | ACEN | – | CCNE |
| Southern Connecticut State University | New Haven | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| University of Connecticut | Storrs | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| University of Saint Joseph | West Hartford | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Yale University | New Haven | Private | – | – | – | CCNE |
Programs listed as accredited in the ACEN directory (opens in a new tab) and the CCNE directory (opens in a new tab), collected November 2026 and matched to schools by name and city. Programs in candidacy are not counted. A dash means no accredited program at that level was matched.
What accreditation means in Connecticut
Two separate approvals apply to a nursing program. The Connecticut board of nursing approves programs so their graduates can sit the NCLEX. Programmatic accreditation from ACEN or CCNE is voluntary and is judged by a national peer body.
Bachelor's programs are the most common accredited level here, with 13. For bachelor’s degrees, 13 of 13 schools reporting graduates to the federal government matched an accredited program (100%).
Common questions
How many nursing schools in Connecticut are accredited?
We matched 17 Connecticut schools to at least one accredited nursing program in the ACEN and CCNE directories: 13 BSN, 3 ADN, 2 LPN, 13 MSN. Schools with several programs appear once.
What is the difference between ACEN and CCNE?
ACEN accredits nursing programs at every level, from practical nursing to doctorates. CCNE accredits bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs. Both are recognized by the US Department of Education.
Do I need an accredited program to become a nurse in Connecticut?
Not always. The state board of nursing approves programs for licensure, and that is a separate approval from ACEN or CCNE accreditation. Accreditation still matters for transferring credits, federal and employer tuition benefits, and entry to graduate programs.
Are all Connecticut bachelor’s programs accredited?
13 of the 13 Connecticut schools that report nursing bachelor’s graduates to the federal government matched an accredited listing. A school that does not match may be new, may be listed under another name, or may lack accreditation, so check the accreditor’s own directory before you apply.