Sacred Heart University
Sacred Heart University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Sacred Heart University at a Glance
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.
1963
63 years old
$357M
$356.8 million (2025)
6,524
802
300 acres
Identity
Is Sacred Heart University Worth It?
At a value score of 30/100, Sacred Heart University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $75,059 — 40% above average — while paying $46,174/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.5-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 74% graduation rate means roughly 26% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Sacred Heart University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Sacred Heart University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #35 of 42 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Lewis University | 63 | $17,028 | $66,099 |
| #2 | Saint Louis University | 58 | $24,398 | $70,783 |
| #3 | St. Joseph's University-New York | 56 | $19,035 | $63,905 |
| #4 | University of the Pacific | 53 | $25,447 | $78,445 |
| #5 | University of La Verne | 52 | $20,161 | $65,464 |
| #6 | University of Dayton | 52 | $29,533 | $75,537 |
| #35 | Sacred Heart University | 30 | $46,174 | $75,059 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Sacred Heart University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in CT.
Best Programs at Sacred Heart University
The highest-earning program at Sacred Heart University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $71,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at $24,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Sacred Heart University earns $71,500, while a Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions graduate earns $24,800. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $25,000 for Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $46,174/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $71,500 | $71,500 | $27,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $58,500 | $58,500 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $54,000 | $54,000 | $26,871 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $52,100 | $52,100 | $25,000 |
| Economics | $50,700 | $50,700 | $25,000 |
| Marketing | $45,000 | $45,000 | $26,845 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $41,300 | $41,300 | $25,870 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $33,500 | $33,500 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $33,300 | $33,300 | $26,201 |
| Psychology, General | $29,600 | $29,600 | $26,000 |
| Biology, General | $25,600 | $25,600 | $24,625 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $24,800 | $24,800 | $25,000 |
Similar Colleges in CT
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Fairfield, CT
- Student Body
- 7,087 students
- Admission Rate
- 65%
- Graduation Rate
- 74%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $46,174
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $75,059
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000