University of Bridgeport

University of Bridgeport
Former name
Junior College of Connecticut (1927–1947)
TypePrivate university
Established1927; 97 years ago (1927)
Parent institution
Goodwin University
AccreditationNECHE
Academic affiliations
Endowment$34.133 million[1]
PresidentDanielle Wilken
Academic staff
147 full-time
Undergraduates3,152[1]
Postgraduates2,282
Location
Bridgeport, Connecticut
,
U.S.

41°09′53″N 73°11′27″W / 41.1648°N 73.1907°W / 41.1648; -73.1907
CampusMidsize city, 86 acres (350,000 m2)[1]
Colors    Purple & white
NicknamePurple Knights
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division II CACC
MascotPurple Knight
Websitewww.bridgeport.edu

The University of Bridgeport (UB or UBPT) is a private university in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The university is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.[2] In 2021, the university was purchased by Goodwin University; it retained its own name, brand, and board of trustees.[3]

Founded originally as the Junior College of Connecticut, it is the only university in Bridgeport and one of the largest in Connecticut. The university offers more than 60 degree programs to over 5,000 students at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. This includes the only Chinese medicine program in Connecticut; one of two, along with University of Connecticut, medical laboratory sciences programs in Connecticut; and one of the few chiropractic schools on the East Coast.[4] The university hosted a program in naturopathic medicine until it was discontinued in 2019.[5]

E. Everett Cortright, Alfred Fones, and former Raybestos President Sumner Simpson opened the Junior College of Connecticut, the first of its kind in the Northeastern United States. The school purchased the former P. T. Barnum estate and neighboring property adjacent to Seaside Park and became a four-year institution in 1947, when it was renamed the University of Bridgeport.[6]

  1. ^ a b c Best Colleges – US News & World Report
  2. ^ "of Institutions - New England Association of Schools and Colleges: Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE)". Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  3. ^ "Goodwin extends its reach across Connecticut in deal to take over the University of Bridgeport". January 18, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  4. ^ "University of Bridgeport - UB - The College Board". bigfuture.collegeboard.org. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  5. ^ Lambeck, Linda Conner. "Alternative medicine program to end at UB, leaving students in limbo". Connecticut Post. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  6. ^ "The History of UB - University of Bridgeport". www.bridgeport.edu.