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Sacred Heart University (SHU) in Fairfield, Connecticut is a private college known for its scenic suburban campus setting and somewhat diverse student body. The university’s student-to-faculty ratio is low at 14 to 1 so that students can receive personalized guidance and instruction from professors, of which there are over 350 full-time faculty. The university prides itself on its experienced instructional staff.


Overview of Sacred Heart University (SHU)


SHU provides a variety of degrees including associate, bachelor's, masters, and research and professional practice doctoral degrees. There are also a variety of post baccalaureate and post-master's certificates. As a Catholic, liberal arts institution, Sacred Heart emphasizes academic excellence and personal development for its students, with five colleges to ensure comprehensive and holistic instruction.

SHU boasts not only academic offerings, but a strong athletic culture as well. Their 33 Pioneers athletic teams compete at NCAA Division I level across various sports, and the institution offers 39 intercollegiate club sports teams and an intramural program; student-athletes can showcase their abilities while representing their university with pride.

Overall, SHU is a dynamic and flourishing institution situated in Fairfield, Connecticut. Boasting Catholic roots, diverse academic programs, and an exceptional faculty, Sacred Heart offers its students a memorable college experience - be it bachelor or graduate degree studies - guaranteed with personal attention, academic excellence, cutting-edge technologies.

General Information


School Type Private not-for-profit
Campus Setting Suburb: Large
Campus Housing Yes
Student Faculty Ratio 16 to 1
Graduation Rate 73%
Year Founded 1963

Student Enrollment


Total Students10,721

Undergraduate
6,782
Graduate
3,939

Undergraduate Student

Male 2,238
2,238
Female 4,544
4,544

Graduate Student

Male 1,300
1,300
Female 2,639
2,639

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SHU Acceptance Rate and Admissions


APPLICATIONS13,316

Male 4,467
Female 8,849

ACCEPTANCE8,789

Male 2,680
Female 6,106

Acceptance Rate66%

Male 60%
Female 69%

Enrollment 1,758

Male 590
Female 1,221
Admissions
Application Fee $50
High School GPA Required To Be Considered
High School Rank Not Required, But Considered
High School Transcripts Required To Be Considered
College Prep Courses Not Required, But Considered
Recommendations Required To Be Considered
Formal demonstration of competenciesth> Not Required, But Considered
Work experience Not Required, But Considered
Personal statement or essay Required To Be Considered
Legacy status Not Considered
SAT/ACT Not Considered
Other Test (Wonderlic,WISC-III,etc) Not Considered
English Proficiency Test Required To Be Considered
Application Deadline Rolling
Common Application Accepted Yes

SHU Tuition Cost & Financial Aid


Tuition costs for undergraduate attendance during the 2022-23 academic year at Sacred Heart University were estimated at around $46,600. Tuition can differ somewhat depending on various factors like the program you attend and any additional lab fees, but these were for undergraduates. Beyond tuition expenses, students should keep in mind other expenses like books and supplies (estimated at $1,200), room and board charges ($17,520 on campus), and ‘other’ costs ($2,650). You can save money by living off campus with family, but not many students are able to do this. This brings the annual cost to around $68,000.

However, students are strongly advised to visit the university's financial aid office for assistance in applying for scholarships, grants, work study programs, or even private or federal student loans. The average net price for students in the 2021-22 academic year after financial aid had been applied was $45,280 and those in the lowest income bracket paid around $38,000.

Average net price 2021-2022
Net Price $45,280
Average Total Aid $19,484
Students Receiving Financial Aid 100%
Room & Board $17,520

Sticker Price


  • Tuition In-State - $46,580
  • Tuition Out-of-State - $46,580
  • Books and Supplies - $1,200
  • Room & Board - $17,520
  • Other - $2,650

Popular Academic Programs at SHU


Academics at Sacred Heart University are comprehensive, providing students with programs and opportunities that cater to varied interests and career objectives. The university boasts five colleges and schools specializing in various academic fields: College of Arts & Sciences including the School of Communication & Media Arts and the School of Computing; Jack Welch College of Business and Technology; the College of Nursing and the Isabelle Farrington College of Education; and the College of Health Professions.

Students attending SHU have access to an impressive range of degree options, from associate degrees to doctorates. Furthermore, unique programs and opportunities, such as independent study and community service programs, allow for real world experience while making positive impacts within communities.

SHU prides itself on offering its students a personalized and engaging learning environment with its low student-to-faculty ratio, guaranteeing individual attention from professors while creating an encouraging academic community. Furthermore, they have an incredible retention rate of 86% and a graduation rate well over the national average at 73%.

Student Population Total


Student Population 10,721

Undergraduate
6,782
Graduate
3,939
Evening Classes : Yes
Online Learning : Yes

Most Popular Programs & Majors

(# of Diplomas Awarded by Subject)


Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services 385 Total Graduates / 29%
Business Administration and Management, General 116 Graduates
Marketing/Marketing Management, General 89 Graduates
Finance, General 83 Graduates
Accounting 70 Graduates
Health Professions and Related Programs 294 Total Graduates / 22%
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse 190 Graduates
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, Other 91 Graduates
Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist 13 Graduates
Biological and Biomedical Sciences 196 Total Graduates / 15%
Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology 109 Graduates
Biology/Biological Sciences, General 67 Graduates
Neuroscience 13 Graduates
Biochemistry 3 Graduates
Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology 3 Graduates
Psychology 131 Total Graduates / 10%
Research and Experimental Psychology, Other 131 Graduates
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs 79 Total Graduates / 6%
Communication, General 36 Graduates
Speech Communication and Rhetoric 31 Graduates
Sports Communication 7 Graduates
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other 5 Graduates
All Other Diplomas 19%

Outcome & Salary


Graduates of Sacred Heart University enjoy successful career outcomes and have made notable accomplishments across various industries. In fact, the school boasts a 99.4% overall placement rate, according to their graduate survey, to which 90% of those surveyed responded. That is well above the national average. Thanks to the university's commitment to academic excellence, personal attention, and cutting-edge technology, graduates of SHU appear to be well equipped for success in their chosen fields.

However, it might be important to note that these responses were from undergraduate degree holders, and not all of them were employed. Instead, 59% of these graduates were employed full-time and another 39% were continuing their education and had already been placed into graduate programs. Even so, the starting income for graduates from SHU averaged $59,528 in a recent year, which is well above the national average for new graduates.

Sacred Heart University graduates enjoy impressive career prospects and high employment rates upon completing their education at this renowned university. Many graduates find lucrative job placements shortly after completing their education, with many landing roles at top companies and organizations such as Yale New Haven Hospital, St. Vincent's Medical Center, Deloitte, and KPMG LLP. Through innovative academic programs, it seems that graduates are well equipped for life after university.

Graduates Salary
College Grads Early Career Salary $61,600
College Grads Average Salary $76,000
College Grads Mid Career Salary $110,300
Return on Investment (ROI)
10 Year Salary Earnings Potential $760,000
20 Year Salary Earnings Potential $1,863,000
Cost of Education (Net Price) 4 Year $181,120
10 Year Projected ROI $578,880
20 Year Projected ROI $1,681,880
No College Education Salary Comparison
National Average Salary $38,792
10 Year Projected Income $387,920
20 Year Projected Income $775,840

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