Sacred Heart University
About Sacred Heart University
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Sacred Heart University is a private Catholic university in Fairfield, Connecticut. It offers programs in health sciences, business, nursing, and the liberal arts, and has grown significantly over the past two decades.
Founded
1963
Location
Fairfield, Connecticut
Students
10,905
Institution
Private
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
65.4%
Moderately selective
Graduation Rate
73.5%
Near national average
Tuition
$50,404
Per year
Avg Net Price
$46,174
After financial aid
SAT Average
Not Considered
Test-blind. Grades and essays decide
Median Earnings
$75,059
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Selective
65.4 out of 100 applicants get in
How to Apply
Test Policy
Test Blind
Application Fee
$50
Early
Nov 15
Regular
Feb 1
With a 65.4% acceptance rate, Sacred Heart University admits most students who meet the academic standards. Focus on putting together a complete, thoughtful application.
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Above Average
73.5% complete their degree within six years
Retention
83.1%
4-Year Grad
69%
6-Year Grad
73%
Teaching Quality
16:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
33.1%
$/Student
$10.0K
Class Size
Medium
69% graduate in 4 years, and 83.1% of freshmen return for year two. The retention rate suggests students are happy with their experience.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$50,404
Annual Tuition
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
$19,140
Books & Supplies
$1,200
Total Cost of Attendance
$69,289
After Financial Aid
$46,174
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$38,691
Receive Grants
15.8%
Take Loans
57.2%
The total cost of attendance runs about $69,289/yr, including $19,140 for room and board. After financial aid, the average student pays $46,174.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Sacred Heart University fund their education.
While in School
15.8%
Get Grants
Free money
57.2%
Take Loans
Must repay
$106,612
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$25,000
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$265/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
The $25,000 median debt is above average, but graduates earn $75K within ten years. The numbers suggest the investment pays off for most students.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Sacred Heart University.
Gender
63.8%
Female
36%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
7,087
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
3,818
Graduates
22.9%
First-Gen
20 yrs
Avg Age
3.8%
Age 25+
Women make up the majority at 64% of the student body. 22.9% are first-generation college students.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
Suburb: Large
Campus Quick Facts
7,087
Students
private
Institution
Medium
Campus Size
Doctoral
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
Yes
Teacher Cert
Yes
ROTC
Yes
Evening College
Yes
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Sacred Heart University fields 19 varsity teams with 1,409 student athletes, about 20% of the student body.
Division
NCAA
Division I-FCS
Conference
Northeast
The league its teams compete in
Varsity Sports
19
Biggest: Track & Cross Country
Student Athletes
1,409
20% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
50% / 50%
699
Men
710
Women
12
Men's Teams
17
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Sacred Heart Universityearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$75,059
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
$91K
252 grads
1yr Earnings
Business Administration, Management and Operations
$42K
146 grads
1yr Earnings
Research and Experimental Psychology
—
131 grads
Finance and Financial Management Services
$56K
130 grads
1yr Earnings
Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences
—
124 grads
Marketing
$41K
104 grads
1yr Earnings
Earnings grow steadily here: $64K at six years, $56K at eight, and $75K by ten. Well above average at every stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sacred Heart University
What is the acceptance rate at Sacred Heart University?▾
How much does Sacred Heart University cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at Sacred Heart University?▾
How much do Sacred Heart University graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.