Central Connecticut State University facts for kids
 |
|
|
Former names
|
State Normal School (1849–1933) Teachers College of Connecticut (1933–1959) Central Connecticut State College (1959–1983) |
|---|---|
| Type | Public university |
| Established | 1849 |
|
Parent institution
|
Connecticut State Colleges & Universities |
|
Academic affiliation
|
Space-grant |
| Endowment | $80 million (2020) |
| President | Zulma R. Toro |
|
Administrative staff
|
408 full-time professors 481 part-time professors |
| Students | 10,039 (Spring 2025) |
| Undergraduates | 8,287(Spring 2025) |
| Postgraduates | 1,752 (Spring 2025) |
| Location |
,
,
US
|
| Campus | Suburban, 165-acre (0.258 sq mi) |
| Colors | Blue and white |
| Nickname | Blue Devils |
|
Sporting affiliations
|
NCAA Division I – NEC |
| Mascot | Kizer the Blue Devil |
 |
|
Central Connecticut State University (often called CCSU or Central) is a public university located in New Britain, Connecticut. It was started in 1849 as the State Normal School. This makes CCSU the oldest public university in Connecticut.
The university has four main schools. These are the Ammon College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, the School of Business, the School of Education and Professional Studies, and the School of Engineering, Science, and Technology. In Spring 2022, about 8,900 students attended CCSU. Most students live off campus, and almost all are from Connecticut. CCSU is part of the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities system. This system also includes Eastern, Western, and Southern Connecticut State Universities.
Contents
History of CCSU
Central Connecticut State University began in 1849. It was first called the State Normal School. Its main goal was to train teachers. It was the sixth "normal school" (a school for training teachers) in the United States. It is also the oldest public university in Connecticut.
The school closed for a short time in 1867. This was because some people in the Connecticut government did not support it. But it reopened two years later. In 1933, the school changed its name to the Teachers College of Connecticut. This is when it started giving out bachelor's degrees. The campus moved to its current spot on Stanley Street in 1922. In Fall 2023, the university showed off its new logo.
The school changed its name again in 1959. It became Central Connecticut State College. Then, in 1983, it became a regional university. This is when it got its current name, Central Connecticut State University.
Campus Buildings and Spaces
CCSU has many buildings for learning and student life. There are 10 academic halls where classes are held. The Student Center is a popular spot for students. The Burritt Library is where students can find books and study. There are also many computer labs around campus. The biggest computer lab is in Marcus White Hall.
For eating, students can go to Memorial Hall, Hilltop Dining Center, or the Student Center. Welte Hall, Maloney Hall, and the Student Center are used for big events. These include music shows and theater plays. Welte Hall has the main auditorium. Kaiser Hall has the main gym and an Olympic-size swimming pool. Students can take free fitness classes in Memorial Hall. There are also fitness equipment areas in four places on campus.
Offices like Admissions and Financial Aid are in Davidson Hall. New building projects have added more classroom space for liberal arts. They have also made big improvements to all the sports facilities.
Student Housing and Commuting
CCSU has nine residence halls. These dorms can house up to 2,500 students. They are split into two areas on the north and south sides of campus.
New Campus Projects
A new eight-story dorm, called Mid Campus Residence Hall, opened in Fall 2015. This dorm has "suite" style rooms. It also has a fitness center, a kitchen on each floor, and a main lounge with a fireplace.
By 2015, a new Social Sciences Hall also opened. A new engineering lab and a campus police station were also built. In 2011, the first floor of the Elihu Burritt Library was updated. It now has a new common area with seating, couches, computers, and food vendors. Sports fields like Arute Field have also been improved. This included new turf for football, soccer, and track. New seating was added for football, track, and soccer stadiums. The baseball field also saw construction.
Academics and Learning
CCSU has over 400 full-time professors. Most of them have the highest degree in their field. There are also more than 500 part-time instructors who teach at the university.
University Rankings
In 2025, U.S. News & World Report ranked Central Connecticut State University among the top universities in the North region. It was also recognized as a top public school. The university was noted for its value and for its undergraduate engineering programs.
Applying to CCSU
In 2024, Central Connecticut State University accepted about 77% of students who applied. This means it is not too hard to get in. Students who were accepted had an average high school GPA of 3.2. The university does not require students to send their SAT or ACT scores. However, they will look at these scores if students choose to send them.
Graduate Programs
CCSU offers many graduate programs. These are in all the academic schools. Some programs include accounting, education, literature, and engineering technology. The university also offers some doctoral degrees.
Student Life at CCSU
Students at CCSU come from many different backgrounds. As of Fall 2023, about 54% of undergraduate students were White. About 20% were Hispanic, and 13% were Black. Other students were Asian, multiracial, or international.
Athletics and Sports
The sports teams at CCSU are called the Blue Devils. Their mascot is named Kizer the Blue Devil. CCSU teams play in the NCAA Division I. They are part of the Northeast Conference.
The university has 18 varsity sports teams. There are eight men's sports: baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, and indoor and outdoor track & field. There are ten women's sports: basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, indoor and outdoor track & field, and volleyball.
Notable People from CCSU
Athletes and Coaches
- Steve Addazio – college football coach
- Ricky Bottalico – professional baseball player
- Dave Campo – professional football coach
- Jake Dolegala – professional football player
- John Hirschbeck – Major League Baseball umpire
- Scott Pioli – NFL Executive
- Mike Sherman – college and professional football coach
Entertainers
- William Berloni – animal trainer for stage and film
- Erin Brady – Miss USA 2013
- Richard Grieco – actor
- Kenny Johnson – actor
- Jimmy "Jomboy" O'Brien – sports media personality
Public Servants
- Ebenezer D. Bassett – first U.S. African-American ambassador
- Miguel Cardona – United States Secretary of Education
- Walter Eli Clark – former Governor of Alaska Territory
- John Larson – U.S. Congressman
- Frances P. Mainella – former Director of the National Park Service
- Erin Stewart – Mayor of New Britain, Connecticut
Other Notable Alumni
- Frederic Beecher Perkins – editor and writer
- Eliza Talcott – missionary to Japan
See also
In Spanish: Universidad Estatal de Connecticut Central para niños
- Charter Oak State College is located near Central Connecticut State University.
- The University of Connecticut is the largest public university in the state.
