
West Hartford, CTprivate nonprofitwww.hartford.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 76%–83% over the last 5 years, though the latest figure above (96%) falls outside that window. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
The University of Hartford is a private university in West Hartford, Connecticut, defined by its practical, career-focused approach and a sprawling, residential campus where over two-thirds of students live. It's an institution of broad access, with an exceptionally high acceptance rate, and it stakes its reputation on a distinctive blend of professional programs—from nursing and engineering to the arts—anchored by the renowned Hartt School. The vibe is suburban and community-oriented, serving a student body that is majority in-state, with a significant portion of first-generation college students.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
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Outcomes & value
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023).
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
The University of Hartford operates as a broad-access institution, with an admissions process characterized by high and policies. The university is not selective, with an acceptance rate of 96% for a recent applicant pool of 12,210 students. The middle 50% SAT range for admitted students is 1120–1310, and the middle 50% ACT range is 24–30. A significant portion of admitted students have strong high school GPAs, with 24% reporting a GPA of 3.75 or higher and another 24% in the 3.50–3.74 range. Students apply online through the Common Application. The student body it builds is heavily local and diverse: 53% are Connecticut residents, 35% are college students, 15% identify as Black or African American, and 20% as Hispanic of any race. International students make up 2% of the population. While the university offers an Early Decision option, specific acceptance rates for that plan are not publicly detailed in the provided sources. The role of 'demonstrated interest' in the admissions process is not defined by the available references for this school.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Compare on earnings: best colleges for Nursing · best colleges for Mechanical Engineering · best colleges for Civil Engineering · best colleges for Business · best colleges for Accounting
UHart's academic identity is built on a wide array of career-oriented and professional programs. The university offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate academic programs across the arts, sciences, business, engineering, health, and education, designed to create critical thinkers. The most popular majors reflect this practical focus. For the 2024 graduating class, the top programs were:
The curriculum is delivered through well-established major programs with faculty that the university describes as 'world-class.' This structure provides students with the freedom to explore within a framework designed to prepare 'ambitious and knowledgeable leaders.' The academic experience is reported by students as mixed, showcasing both strengths and areas for improvement.
Life at UHart is predominantly residential and active, with a strong emphasis on campus community. Approximately 67% of students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing, which includes traditional residence halls, suite-style living, and apartments. These buildings are equipped with study lounges, game rooms, and common spaces to foster social and academic interaction. The remaining 33% of students live off campus. The university promotes a 'welcoming and diverse community' with many active clubs and organizations. Campus life features regular programming like free concerts and art shows. For international students, there are specific cultural activities and a 'Buddy' program to encourage integration. The overall vibe, as promoted by the university, is of a 'diverse campus... home to a community of varied interests.'
Career preparation is a central promise at UHart, and outcomes data shows a solid track record of graduates entering the workforce or further education. The university's overall graduation rate is 54%. For the Barney School of Business, undergraduate career outcomes are particularly strong: 88% of students are working or continuing their education within six months of graduation, with a median reported salary in the $60,000–$70,000 range. Broader university data indicates early-career earnings around $47,333 one year after graduation, rising to approximately $64,107 five years after graduation. Some analyses note that early-career earnings for graduates are about $3,000 lower than might be expected given the mix of majors at similar institutions. The university collects first-destination survey data from recent graduates, with salary figures based on self-reported information.
Financial aid is a critical component of the UHart value proposition, with the vast majority of students receiving assistance. The average after aid is $30,282. A full 90% of UHart students receive financial aid, with the average aid package totaling $39,293. The university offers both merit-based and need-based financial assistance, including scholarships and grants, to help defray educational expenses. is renewable provided students maintain full-time status and meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements. The university provides a net price calculator for prospective students to estimate their individual cost. The institution's aid policy is not described in the provided sources as meeting 100% of demonstrated need or as having a 'no-loan' policy where loans are replaced with grants.
The University of Hartford carves out its niche not through exclusivity, but through accessibility and a deliberate, hands-on blend of the professional and the creative. Its 96% opens the door to a predominantly Connecticut-based, -heavy student body, making it a critical engine of social mobility in the region. What happens after students walk through that door is what defines UHart: a curriculum of over 100 programs that unapologetically prioritizes job-ready skills in fields like nursing, mechanical engineering, and business—exemplified by the Barney School's 88% post-grad success rate. Yet, it avoids being a purely vocational school by housing the nationally recognized Hartt School for music, dance, and theatre, creating a campus culture where future engineers and nurses share space with performing artists. This combination—a suburban residential campus, a practical academic core, and a commitment to serving in-state students—makes UHart a distinctive and important player in New England's higher education landscape.