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Sacred Heart University

Fairfield, CT·Private nonprofit·7,087 students
Last updated: March 21, 2026

A good fit for students considering a private nonprofit institution in Connecticut. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $61,800 within 10 years.

65%
Accept
7,087
Students
$46,174
Net Price
73%
Grad Rate
$61,800
Earnings
10 yr
$25,000
Debt

About This School

Sacred Heart University is a private nonprofit institution located in Fairfield, Connecticut with approximately 7,087 undergraduate students enrolled. Sacred Heart University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 65%. The average net price after financial aid is $46,174 per year. The graduation rate is 73%, and the typical graduate earns $61,800 within 10 years of enrollment.

Sacred Heart University (SHU) is a private Catholic university in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States. It was founded in 1963 by Walter W. Curtis, Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut. Sacred Heart was the first Catholic university in the United States to be staffed by the laity.

Founded as the first lay-staffed Catholic university in the U.S., this Fairfield, CT school offers a solid return on investment — median earnings of $61,800 ten years out, with a relatively manageable median debt of $19,860 at graduation. The 85% freshman retention rate signals that students are generally happy once they arrive, though the 75% graduation rate means roughly 1 in 4 students don't finish, which is worth asking about during a visit. Worth considering if you're drawn to a mid-sized Catholic university with a strong Connecticut location and can negotiate the $45,459 average net price down further through aid.

Founded
1963
Setting
Large suburb
Religious Affiliation
Roman Catholic
Avg Faculty Salary
$11,014

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing27%
Health Professions26%
Biological Sciences12%
Psychology8%
Communications6%
Social Sciences3%
Visual & Performing Arts1%
Computer Science1%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

John RatzenbergerKevin NealonRomain CannoneLydia Hearst-ShawJustin Danforth

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

Test Policy: Neither required nor recommended

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$50,404
Out-of-State Tuition
$50,404
Avg Net Price
$46,174
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$38,691
$30–48k$40,517
$48–75k$41,647
$75–110k$46,348
$110k+$48,217

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants16%
Median debt at graduation$25,000

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
73%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
83%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$61,800
after enrollment
Median Debt
$25,000
at graduation

Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender

Male graduates$47,400
Female graduates$47,400

Gap: 0% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$25,000
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$47,400
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$61,800
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.5x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White75%
Black3%
Hispanic/Latino14%
Asian2%
Two or more races3%
International1%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (7,087 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Sacred Heart University

5151 Park Ave

Fairfield, CT 06825-1000

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Connecticut

Browse all Connecticut schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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