Why USJ?
HOME OF THE BLUE JAYS!Small University, BIG OUTCOMES
NCAA Division III Athletics: Go Blue Jays!
FInd your squadAn inside look at USJ’s campus, academic buildings, student center, dining commons, and more!
Explore USJTop-rated program: USJ’s Nursing program offers advanced, on-site learning experiences
Nursing at USJWHY CHOOSE USJ?

The University of Saint Joseph is the premier small private university in Connecticut developing professionals for in-demand fields with its undergraduate and graduate degree programs designed for your goals.
A USJ degree is a proven credential for undergraduates seeking a traditional New England college setting with exceptional NCAA Division III athletics and a strong sense of community.
For graduate students ready to learn more and earn more, USJ offers online, hybrid, and on-ground masters and doctoral programs with innovative curricula that attract students from around the world.
#USJCT

History & Location
- The University of Saint Joseph is an independent not-for-profit organization founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1932 in the Catholic tradition.
- USJ’s beautiful 90-acre main campus is one mile from West Hartford’s thriving downtown and three miles from Hartford, Connecticut’s capital city. Explore Blue Back Square!

Degrees
Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees are available:
- Undergraduate programs (B.A., B.S.)
- Graduate programs (M.A., MAT, MPH, M.S., MSW)
- Professional and Doctoral programs (Pharm.D., DNP, PA Program)

Program Options
- 30+ undergraduate majors and pre-professional areas of study
- Accelerated bachelors-to-masters degree options
- Online, hybrid, and on-campus degree programs
- Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program for veteran students, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Faculty & Classes
- More than 85% of full-time faculty hold terminal degrees
- All classes taught by faculty (never teaching assistants)
- Average class size: 14 students
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1

Application Benefits
Test-Optional
- USJ is fully test optional for all programs and scholarships
Earn Credits while in High School
- The USJ Challenge Program is designed for students to expand and enrich their academic program with a collegiate experience while still attending high school.
Transfer easily to USJ!
- Even before you apply, USJ will work with you to organize your transfer credits and see how much time you can save by earning your degree faster with transferred credit!
- USJ offers a Guaranteed Admissions Program with Connecticut’s community colleges.
Want a career that pays off your student loans quickly?
While you are at USJ we have resources to help make career decisions: resume writing workshops, one-on-one career counseling, and professional development guidance. The University will help connect you to unpaid/paid internships, on-campus and off-campus employment, and events with alumni and other professionals in a wide range of careers.
Accreditation
Rankings
U.S. News & World Report
2023
- #1 Best Value in CT for the North Region
- #2 Top University in CT for the North Region
- #2 Top University for Social Mobility in CT for the North Region
- Among the top schools for Nursing in CT
2022
- #1 in CT Best Social Mobility – U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 Best Colleges “National Universities” for Connecticut
2021
- #41 in Best Value (Overall) – U.S. News & World Report’s 2021 Best Colleges “National Universities”
- #2 in CT Best Value – U.S. News & World Report’s 2021 Best Colleges “National Universities” for Connecticut
- #2 in CT Best Social Mobility – U.S. News & World Report’s 2021 Best Colleges “National Universities” for Connecticut
- #1 in CT A+ School for B Students – U.S. News & World Report’s 2021 Best Colleges “National Universities” for Connecticut
2020
- #3 in CT National University – U.S. News & World Report’s 2020 Best Colleges “National Universities” for Connecticut
Niche.com
2024
- USJ Rated One of the Best CT Colleges – Niche.com 2024 Best Colleges in Connecticut
2023
- #2 Best College Locations in CT – Niche.com 2023 Best College Locations in Connecticut
- #2 Best Value Colleges in Hartford Area – Niche.com 2023 Best Value Colleges in the Hartford Area
- #2 Safest College Campuses in CT – Niche.com 2023 Safest College Campuses in Connecticut
- #3 Best Colleges in Hartford area – Niche.com 2023 Best Colleges in the Hartford Area
- #3 Best Colleges for Nursing in CT – Niche.com 2023 Best Colleges for Nursing in Connecticut
- #4 Best Small Colleges in CT – Niche.com 2023 Best Small Colleges in Connecticut
- #6 Best Value Colleges in CT – Niche.com 2023 Best Value Colleges in Connecticut
- #6 Top Private Universities in CT – Niche.com 2023 Top Private Universities in Connecticut
2022
- #2 Safest College Campuses in CT – Niche.com 2022 Best Colleges for Connecticut
- #3 Best College in Hartford Area – Niche.com 2022 Best Colleges for Hartford Area
- #3 Best Value Colleges in Hartford Area – Niche.com 2022 Best Colleges for Hartford Area
- #3 Best College Locations in CT – Niche.com 2022 Best Colleges for Connecticut
- #3 Best Colleges for Nursing in CT – Niche.com 2022 Best Colleges for Connecticut
- #4 Best Small Colleges in CT – Niche.com 2022 Best Colleges for Connecticut
- Top 5 University in Connecticut for MONEY’s “Colleges That Add the Most Value”
2021
- A 2021 report from CollegeFactual.com ranks USJ #10 Nationwide as Best Nursing Colleges, and #1 in New England as sourced by The Institute of Education Sciences (IES).
- #2 on the 2021 College Raptor “Hidden Gem Colleges in New England” list of Connecticut schools.
Additional Rankings
- A 2020 report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) finds the University of Saint Joseph has the third-highest Earnings: Price Return of non-profit four-year universities in Connecticut. This ratio expresses how much earnings, 10 years after enrollment, are above or below the net price (in percent), for USJ it’s calculated to be 106%!
- Named #73 nationwide among private nursing schools and #16 overall in New England by the Nursing School Almanac 2020 Nursing School Rankings.

Campus Highlights
- Six residence halls – including suite-style housing for juniors and seniors
- NCAA Division III Athletics – nine women’s teams and seven men’s teams
- The O’Connell Athletic Center – includes two gymnasiums with seating, a strength and conditioning area, six-lane pool, fitness center, indoor track, the Beekley Center for Student Health and Wellness, and more
- The Bruyette Athenaeum – includes the 365-seat Hoffman auditorium, the O’Connor Archives, an art studio, dance studio, classrooms, and faculty offices
- The Art Museum at USJ – houses a distinguished collection of more than 2,000 works of art
- McGovern Hall Student Center – the hub of student activity, which houses the Dining Commons, a snack bar, activities offices, a community lounge, and the University Campus Store
- The Connor Chapel of Our Lady – the heart of the University’s Roman Catholic tradition
- The Pope Pius XII Library – with 133,700 volumes and online resources
- Eight state-of-the-art science laboratories
- On-campus Nursing Education and Simulation Center featuring interactive learning spaces with modern instructional equipment and technology
- Two laboratory schools: The Gengras Center – private special education school, on-campus
- The School for Young Children – model lab preschool, one block from campus

USJ ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIPS
Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Champions: Division: III |

WOMEN’S SPORTS
2019 | Softball
MEN’S SPORTS
2020, 2022 | Basketball
2022 | Soccer