
The University of Hartford is a private university founded in 1957 through the merger of three institutions: the Hartford Art School, Hillyer College, and The Hartt School. Their different origins help explain the university's present mix of liberal arts, professional programs, and intensive arts training.
The Hartford Art School traces its history to 1877, Hillyer College to 1879, and The Hartt School to 1920. Rather than beginning as a single-purpose college, the university brought together schools with established approaches to art, accessible higher education, and music and performing arts. It subsequently expanded its degree offerings in fields including business, engineering, education, and health.
Applicants comparing programs should look beyond the university's founding date: a studio art, music, engineering, or nursing degree can involve a substantially different curriculum and admissions process within the same institution.
The University of Hartford organizes its programs across several colleges and schools, including the College of Arts and Sciences, Barney School of Business, College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture, College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions, Hartford Art School, The Hartt School, and Hillyer College.
That structure gives students a broad choice of academic approaches. Arts and Sciences includes humanities, social sciences, mathematics, and natural sciences; Barney covers business disciplines; and engineering and technology students can pursue fields such as mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering. The Hartford Art School emphasizes visual arts and design, while Hartt offers music, dance, and theater training. Education, nursing, and health programs may include clinical, fieldwork, or licensure-related requirements.
Hartford offers undergraduate and graduate study, but degree availability and delivery format differ by program. Applicants should use the current academic catalog to check a major's required courses, accreditation where relevant, and whether admission to the university also constitutes admission to a particular professional or performance program.
The University of Hartford's main campus is at 200 Bloomfield Avenue in West Hartford, Connecticut, near Hartford and Bloomfield. Its suburban setting puts students close to a state-capital employment market while making day-to-day transportation an important consideration.
Hartford-area employers, cultural venues, and health organizations may be relevant to internships and clinical placements, depending on a student's program. The campus is served by regional roads and local transit, but transit convenience depends on the destination and schedule. First-year students are permitted to register or park a car on campus; they should still check current permit rules and costs.
Bradley International Airport serves the region. Students planning frequent travel should compare airport and ground-transportation options rather than assume that campus is within walking distance of major transit hubs.
The University of Hartford describes its educational purpose in terms of learning, personal growth, and the creation and application of knowledge. Its mix of liberal arts, professional education, and creative practice reflects that stated mission.
That purpose takes different forms across the institution: a Hartt performance curriculum, a design studio, and an engineering laboratory call for different kinds of work and assessment. Students assessing the university's stated priorities can look for concrete evidence in their intended program's curriculum, access to advising, and opportunities for applied or creative work. A mission statement expresses institutional aims; it does not establish that every student will have the same experience.
Name of the institution
University of HartfordLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
City: MidsizeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
5,000 - 9,999School type
Upper-level higher education institution with graduate programsMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1877University of Hartford is institutionally accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of less than 1 year
Certificate of at least 1 year, but less than 2 years
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Post-master's certificate
Doctor's degree - research/scholarship
Doctor's degree - professional practiceData last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.