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Sacred Heart University
Fairfield, CT
Sacred Heart University is a private Catholic university located in Fairfield, Connecticut. Founded in 1963, the university has grown to become one of the leading institutions of higher education in the region. With approximately 9,000 students from diverse backgrounds, Sacred Heart University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across its various schools and colleges.
The university is known for its strong commitment to academic excellence and personalized education. Sacred Heart University offers more than 80 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in areas such as business, healthcare, education, arts and sciences, engineering, and more. The faculty comprises highly qualified professors who are dedicated to providing students with a challenging and supportive learning environment.
In addition to its academic offerings, Sacred Heart University also places a strong emphasis on community engagement and service. The university encourages students to participate in volunteer activities and community service initiatives, fostering a sense of social responsibility and compassion. The vibrant campus life at Sacred Heart University further enhances the student experience, with numerous clubs, sports teams, and cultural events that provide opportunities for personal growth and extracurricular involvement. Overall, Sacred Heart University strives to create a well-rounded educational experience that prepares students for successful careers and meaningful lives.
Sacred Heart University is a private university located in Fairfield, CT and set in a suburban environment. It has an acceptance rate of 67%. The freshman retention rate at Sacred Heart University is 85% and the six-year graduation rate is 75%.
For transfer students, the application deadline is July 15.
Find out more about what you can expect if you get into Sacred Heart University.
Quick Facts
6,960
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
67%
Acceptance Rate
$50,084
Tuition
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
75%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Discovering as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission improves your chances of getting admitted. Read on to learn some vital info about admission policy and requirements at Sacred Heart University.
According to the most recent information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 9,667 in 2024. Sacred Heart University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores for the candidates who choose to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of students who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 14.1% and ACT scores 2.4%. 3.7% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 66.5% between 1,200 and 1,399, 29.7% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 1.3% between 800 and 999. The percent of freshman students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 28.9, 62.2 between 24-29 and 8.9 in the range between 18-23.
The average ACT score for all the admitted students in 2024 was 27 while the average GPA was 3.65. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Sacred Heart University; the same goes for your ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 612 and an average SAT Math score of 605. If you plan on applying as a transfer student, note that the application deadline is July 15.
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. Why is that metric important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for Sacred Heart University was 85% in 2024, reflecting the superb quality of the educational programs at this institution.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This metric measures how efficiently students complete their degrees within a specific time period. The six-year completion rate at this institution is 75%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the best fit for you is not an easy task. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2024, the school had an enrollment of 11,179 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 72.7% for that year. There was a total of 6,960 undergrad students, including 75 international students. The school admitted a total of 138 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 3,444 male and 5,578 female full-time students in 2024. There were 1,116 full-time graduate male and 1,280 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Sacred Heart University.
In 2024, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 117, and the number of Black American students was 239. 898 undergraduates at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 163 as multirace. The school also had 2 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 7 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 124 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before sending an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into account. Here are some important data on Sacred Heart University costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about Sacred Heart University estimated tuition fees.
As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $50,084 in 2024. As this is a private institution, there is no difference in tuition for out-of-state or international students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students reached $320 in 2024.
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to consider the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,200.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What do schools typically charge for accommodation and meals?
In 2024, the price of room and board at Sacred Heart University was $19,140 per academic year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school added up to $12,700, according to the data from 2024.
| Tuition | $ 50,084 |
| Room and Board | $ 19,140 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,200 |
| Total Expense | $ 70,424 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial help: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid you might get at Sacred Heart University.
According to the most recent data, 1,318 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average financial aid package awarded to students reached $26,393.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
3,969 students acquired some form of need-based financial aid. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need came to be 3,998. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution was $7,204,173, and state $1,215,523. The students of Sacred Heart University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $70,012,049, and external in the amount of $4,296,962.
$16,967
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
587 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based financial aid at this school in 2024. 195 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $45,369,334. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $2,696,808 USD.
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
The Common Application for Transfer (Common App for transfer)
Majors
Faculty
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
In 2024, this ratio at Sacred Heart University was 16:1. That means that there were 16 times more students than teachers at this school. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 1,052. This number included 418 male and 634 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Sacred Heart University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Sacred Heart University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some information about campus life at Sacred Heart University.
It has a campus size of 311 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
There are 198 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. That includes sororities and fraternities. At this school, 18% of male students are members of social organizations, while that percentage is 40 for female students. The student organization that gathers the largest number of students is National Society Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA), followed by Business Administration Club and American Sign Language Club. Other popular organizations among the students at Sacred Heart University are Exercise Science Club and Student Nurses Association.
If you are interested in music, you can join the Sacred Heart University band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. You have a talent for media and communication? Sacred Heart University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Sacred Heart University, there are many amenities that make life on campus comfortable and safe.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. The dormitory entrances at the school are electronically controlled. There is a security patrol available 24/7. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Sacred Heart University.
All in all, campus life at Sacred Heart University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Sacred Heart University.
Career Counselling
At Sacred Heart University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Acquiring information about the potential income after graduation can help you decide if a specific school is the right one for your career aspirations.
The average annual salary for graduates employed six months after graduation from this institution is 59,266 USD.
$59,266
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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Sacred Heart University is located in Fairfield, CT.
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According to the latest information, you would need to pay about 50,084 USD per academic year for Sacred Heart University.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Sacred Heart University is 67%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Sacred Heart University is 85%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.