Private colleges and universities can be a good choice for any student who wants to become a nurse. Private schools offer one-year, two-year, and four-year program options, and these private institutions often carry more prestige than their public counterparts. While private schools tend to be a bit more expensive, students receive the benefit of smaller class sizes and more opportunities for hands-on learning. Connecticut has over 20 private college and university campuses with nursing programs of study.

One-year or two-year private institutions are suitable for most entry-level nursing jobs. Porter and Chester Institute (five campuses across Connecticut), Stone Academy (three campuses), and Lincoln Technical Institute (three campuses) all offer certificate programs that prepare students for the role of licensed practical nurse (LPN). Several of the state's private schools offer four-year nursing programs, including Fairfield University, Quinnipiac University, and Sacred Heart University. Connecticut's most prestigious private institution, Yale University, offers the state's only direct-entry master's of science in nursing (MSN).

Completing your nursing education at a private college or university may help you to stand out, particularly with major Connecticut nursing employers like Genesis Healthcare or Yale New Haven Hospital. Private schools tend to be more prestigious, so having their names on your resume can help you get a foot in the door at hiring time.

If you are looking for a nursing program at a private school in the state of Connecticut, use our comprehensive list below to get started.

Bridgeport / Stamford / Norwalk area

Fairfield University
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • DNP: Nurse Anesthesia
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • MSN: Nursing Administration
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Baccalaureate DNP
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
Lincoln Technical Institute - Shelton
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing (Evening)
Porter and Chester Institute - Stratford
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Sacred Heart University
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nursing Administration
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
St. Vincent's College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Associate Degree in Nursing (Evening)
  • Certified Nurse Aide Certificate
  • Patient Care Technician Certificate
University of Bridgeport
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Master of Science in Nursing: Leadership and Education
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
School City Programs offered
Fairfield University Fairfield
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • DNP: Nurse Anesthesia
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • MSN: Nursing Administration
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Baccalaureate DNP
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
Lincoln Technical Institute - Shelton Shelton
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing (Evening)
Porter and Chester Institute - Stratford Stratford
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Sacred Heart University Fairfield
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nursing Administration
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
St. Vincent's College Fairfield
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Associate Degree in Nursing (Evening)
  • Certified Nurse Aide Certificate
  • Patient Care Technician Certificate
University of Bridgeport Bridgeport
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Master of Science in Nursing: Leadership and Education
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion

Hartford

Goodwin University
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Lincoln Technical Institute - New Britain
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing (Evening)
Porter and Chester Institute - Enfield
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Porter and Chester Institute - Rocky Hill
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Stone Academy - East Hartford
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing (Evening)
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
University of Hartford
  • MSN: Nursing Administration
  • MSN: Public Health
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Administration
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
University of Saint Joseph
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
School City Programs offered
Goodwin University East Hartford
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Lincoln Technical Institute - New Britain New Britain
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing (Evening)
Porter and Chester Institute - Enfield Enfield
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Porter and Chester Institute - Rocky Hill Rocky Hill
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Stone Academy - East Hartford East Hartford
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing (Evening)
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
University of Hartford West Hartford
  • MSN: Nursing Administration
  • MSN: Public Health
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Administration
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
University of Saint Joseph West Hartford
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion

New Haven

Lincoln Technical Institute - Hamden
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing (Evening)
Porter and Chester Institute - Branford
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Post University
  • DNP: Educational Leadership
  • DNP: Executive Leadership
  • DNP: Informatics Leadership
  • DNP: Professional Leadership
  • MSN / MBA Healthcare Dual Degree
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Case Management
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Infection Prevention and Control
  • MSN: Nursing Education
  • MSN: Nursing Informatics
  • MSN: Nursing Management and Organizational Leadership
  • MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
  • RN-to-BSN/MSN Degree Completion
Quinnipiac University
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • DNP: Nurse Anesthesia
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Baccalaureate DNP
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Stone Academy - Waterbury
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Stone Academy - West Haven
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing (Evening)
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Yale University
  • Direct Entry MSN
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Administration
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
School City Programs offered
Lincoln Technical Institute - Hamden Hamden
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing (Evening)
Porter and Chester Institute - Branford Branford
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Post University Waterbury
  • DNP: Educational Leadership
  • DNP: Executive Leadership
  • DNP: Informatics Leadership
  • DNP: Professional Leadership
  • MSN / MBA Healthcare Dual Degree
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Case Management
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Infection Prevention and Control
  • MSN: Nursing Education
  • MSN: Nursing Informatics
  • MSN: Nursing Management and Organizational Leadership
  • MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
  • RN-to-BSN/MSN Degree Completion
Quinnipiac University Hamden
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • DNP: Nurse Anesthesia
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Baccalaureate DNP
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Stone Academy - Waterbury Waterbury
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Stone Academy - West Haven West Haven
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing (Evening)
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Yale University New Haven
  • Direct Entry MSN
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Administration
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion

Other Connecticut cities

Porter and Chester Institute - Watertown
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
School City Programs offered
Porter and Chester Institute - Watertown Watertown
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Category: 
Connecticut