On A Mission

As one of the most diverse towns in Connecticut, the city of Hartford has its fair share of challenges that radically affect the life of any teen who attends one of its three high schools. Chronic poverty, drug and alcohol addiction and daily obstacles make high school graduation, let alone college readiness, out of reach for many of its youth.

Hartford Public, Bulkeley and Weaver High School serve the city’s youth with a strong focus on improving academic outcomes and creating career pathways and community partnerships.

Source: State Department of Education EdInsight. Table created using DataWrapper.

Hartford isn’t the only city facing this issue. According to College Board’s Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid 2024, enrollment in four-year U.S. degree programs for black, Hispanic and multiracial students, is mostly unchanged between 2015-2023:

Source: Created using DataWrapper.

The report also finds that after adjusting for inflation, national college costs for 2024-25 are double what they were thirty years ago. A similar story plays out in Connecticut, with an exponential increase in published tuition and fees at private universities. Between 2014-2025, ct mirror reported that private universities increased their tuition by an average of $17,132 over ten years. UCONN increased its fees by $7,152 for in–state students.

Fortunately, there are many federal and institutional grants and loans available to Hartford’s youth to help forge pathways into a more affordable college education. Federal Pell Grants are one such example, issued to students who display exceptional financial need who have not yet earned their degree. 

Source: CollegeBoard Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid 2024

The investment in attaining a four-year degree provides the critical thinking, soft skills, computer literacy and personal networks for high quality career opportunities. College graduates over the lifetime of their careers are more likely to work in positions that offer career development and financial benefits like health insurance and retirement savings programs. 

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Community College Track

Connecticut community colleges remain the most affordable way to fund an education, with published in-state tuition rates for 2025-26 at $692 for a three-credit class. While community colleges don’t necessarily offer a dynamic campus experience, it can be a good fit for a student who wants to live at home and commute to college. 

Hartford: Home Base

A college education becomes even more meaningful when students return to Hartford to work and live. State run reimbursement programs can help new college grads payoff college debt more quickly so they can focus on other essentials like buying a car or saving for a down payment on a home.

Any pandemic related federal student loan protections are long gone and interest on outstanding student loans is accumulating for graduates. According to the Federal Reserve (Figure 34.), in 2024, 42 percent of people aged 18 – 29 who attended college took on student debt. Some are still paying off loans well into their forties. 

State-run reimbursement programs can make a big dent in a person’s financial trajectory and the long-term economic welfare of a City like Hartford.  In return, graduates work in Hartford for a designated timeframe, while they enjoy a high standard of living and give back to the community. 

For parents, guardians and friends of a Hartford high school student considering college, a conversation with a teacher or guidance counselor is a good place to start. 

If you or your teen is ready to begin exploring what colleges might be a strong fit, there are numerous online resources such as Niche that can help you to begin shortlisting colleges by the features most important to your situation.