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Bridgeport, Connecticut downtownPhoto: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0
Colleges in and near Bridgeport

Bridgeport is home to two colleges, with 3,374 students on campus

The University of Bridgeport (3,171 students on campus) and Paier College (203) are inside the city, and Sacred Heart University (9,987) is 3.4 miles from the center, just over the line in Fairfield. About 8% of Bridgeport’s residents are enrolled in college, above Connecticut (7%).

University of BridgeportSacred Heart UniversityFairfield University

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Bridgeport. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
5
28,081 students on campus
Nearest college
1.6 mi
University of Bridgeport
Residents in college
8%
Above CT (7%)
Nearest community college
48.4 mi
Connecticut State · $5,338 tuition
Nearest public university
16.3 mi
Southern Connecticut State · $13,438 in-state
Median household income
$59K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Bridgeport

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

Three colleges within 3.7 milesUniversity of Bridgeport admits 83% of applicants; Sacred Heart University admits 65%; Fairfield University admits 33%. Together they have 19,061 students on campus.In-state price at Southern Connecticut StateLiving in Connecticut, Southern Connecticut State University charges $13,438 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $27,378. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 48.4 miles awayConnecticut State Community College in New Britain: tuition and fees $5,338 a year for Connecticut residents.Students are 8% of residentsAbove Connecticut (7%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Bridgeport

Five private colleges within 14.1 miles. The nearest public four-year college, Southern Connecticut State University, is 16.3 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miSacred Heart UniversityUniversity of New HavenFairfield UniversityBridgeport
University or collegeCommunity college
University of BridgeportUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 3,171 on campus · In Bridgeport83%admitted$28knet price41%graduate$50kearningsPaier CollegeUniversity or college · For-profit · 203 on campus · In BridgeportSacred Heart UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 9,987 on campus · 3.4 mi · Fairfield65%admitted$46knet price73%graduate$75kearningsFairfield UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 5,903 on campus · 3.7 mi · Fairfield33%admitted$48knet price84%graduate$89kearningsUniversity of New HavenUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 8,817 on campus · 14.1 mi · West Haven60%admitted$34knet price63%graduate$60kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles and the nearest public four-year college. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Bridgeport’s median household income ($58,685) falls.

Southern Connecticut State University16.3 mi · New Haven · sticker $29,673$19,437a year
University of BridgeportIn Bridgeport · sticker $52,957$26,062a year
Fairfield University3.7 mi · Fairfield · sticker $76,074$26,953a year
University of New Haven14.1 mi · West Haven · sticker $66,962$31,601a year
Sacred Heart University3.4 mi · Fairfield · sticker $69,289$41,647a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k$100k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →University of BridgeportSacred Heart UniversityFairfield UniversityUniversity of New HavenSouthern Connecticut State
Sacred Heart University73% graduate$75k earnings$25k typical debt
University of New Haven63% graduate$60k earnings$27k typical debt
Southern Connecticut State University50% graduate$55k earnings$22k typical debt
Fairfield University84% graduate$89k earnings$26k typical debt
University of Bridgeport41% graduate$50k earnings$26k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Bridgeport

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at University of Bridgeport, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Health professions 53%Business 11%Psychology 9%Liberal arts 5%Public safety 4%Engineering 4%Everything else 14%

Biggest programs

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing133 graduates a year
$123k4 yrs out
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities39 graduates a year
$57k4 yrs out
Psychology, General37 graduates a year
$56k4 yrs out
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions30 graduates a year
$75k4 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other28 graduates a year
$53k4 yrs out
Criminal Justice and Corrections27 graduates a year
$50k4 yrs out
Accounting and Related Services13 graduates a year
$69k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Bridgeport

Is Bridgeport a college town?

No. About 8 of every 100 Bridgeport residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Connecticut (7). The largest campus in the city, the University of Bridgeport, has 3,171 students on campus.

What colleges are in Bridgeport?

The University of Bridgeport and Paier College are inside the city. Sacred Heart University is 3.4 miles from the center, in Fairfield, Fairfield University is 3.7 miles from the center, in Fairfield, and Connecticut State Community College is 48.4 miles away in New Britain.

What is the closest community college to Bridgeport, and what does it cost?

Connecticut State Community College in New Britain, 48.4 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,338 a year for Connecticut residents; the federal net price, $11,513, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Southern Connecticut State University cost if we live in Connecticut?

Tuition and fees are $13,438 a year in-state and $27,378 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $17,736 (under $30,000 income) to $27,809 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Bridgeport. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →