Sacred Heart University (SHU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Sacred Heart University
In coastal Fairfield, students split time between bright labs, creative studios, and green quads. Sacred Heart University is known for strong teaching in the liberal arts and has reputation for depth in health fields, business, education, media, and computing. Courses feel hands on, with service-minded projects and advising, tutoring, and counseling that stay easy to reach.
Residence halls, a lively rec center, collaboration spaces, and performance venues anchor campus life. You'll see club sports, faith based groups, media crews, and plenty of volunteer work. The vibe is welcoming, spirited on game days, reflective when it needs to be. Career prep runs through internships, clinical placements, and an alumni network tied to Connecticut employers and New York. Fairfield's beaches, cafes, and train link make off campus life simple, with traditions around service and campus concerts shaping the year.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Sacred Heart University (SHU) offers 76 degree programs across 20 major academic fields, graduating approximately 3,874 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Health (14 programs, 1,111 graduates), Business (9 programs, 947 graduates), Computer & IT (3 programs, 574 graduates), Education (8 programs, 238 graduates) and Biological Sciences (7 programs, 211 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Health (14 programs, 1,111 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Informatics | 285 |
|
Master's
|
51.2706 |
| Registered Nursing | 253 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.3801 |
| Speech-Language Pathology | 88 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.0203 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment Professions | 86 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.0999 |
| Family Practice Nursing | 85 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (P)
|
51.3805 |
| Physical Therapy | 78 |
|
Post-Master's
Doctorate (P)
|
51.2308 |
| Nursing Administration | 70 |
|
Master's
|
51.3802 |
| Occupational Therapy | 62 |
|
Master's
|
51.2306 |
| Physician Assistant | 37 |
|
Master's
|
51.0912 |
| Mental Health Counseling | 30 |
|
Master's
|
51.1508 |
| Radiologic Technology | 15 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0911 |
| Nursing Science | 13 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.3808 |
| Play Therapy | 7 |
|
Post-Master's
|
51.2317 |
| Health and Medical Preparatory Programs | 2 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
51.1199 |
Business (9 programs, 947 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Statistics | 272 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
52.1302 |
| Business Administration and Management | 156 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
52.0201 |
| Finance, General | 141 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0801 |
| Marketing Management | 124 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
52.1401 |
| Accounting | 120 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0301 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 79 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
52.1399 |
| Fashion Merchandising | 34 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1902 |
| Human Resources Development | 13 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
52.1005 |
| Hotel and Motel Management | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0904 |
Computer & IT (3 programs, 574 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | 527 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
11.0101 |
| Web and Digital Multimedia Design | 37 |
|
Master's
|
11.0801 |
| Information Technology | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0103 |
Education (8 programs, 238 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Education | 128 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0101 |
| Elementary and Middle School Administration | 46 |
|
Post-Master's
|
13.0408 |
| Reading Teacher Education | 26 |
|
Post-Master's
|
13.1315 |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 17 |
|
Master's
|
13.0301 |
| Special Education Teaching | 9 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
13.1001 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development | 8 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
13.1299 |
| Music Teacher Education | 3 |
|
Master's
|
13.1312 |
| Higher Education Administration | 1 |
|
Master's
|
13.0406 |
Biological Sciences (7 programs, 211 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology | 120 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26.0908 |
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 51 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0101 |
| Epidemiology and Biostatistics | 15 |
|
Master's
|
26.1311 |
| Biochemistry | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0202 |
| Neuroscience | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.1501 |
| Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.1302 |
| Cell and Molecular Biology | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0406 |
Communication (8 programs, 158 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relations and Advertising | 38 |
|
Master's
|
09.0900 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 35 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0100 |
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 35 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0101 |
| Sports Communication | 26 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0906 |
| Mass Communication and Media Studies | 18 |
|
Master's
|
09.0102 |
| Digital Media and Multimedia | 3 |
|
Master's
|
09.0702 |
| Communication and Journalism, Other | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.9999 |
| Public Relations and Image Management | 1 |
|
Master's
|
09.0902 |
Psychology (3 programs, 145 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Experimental Psychology | 136 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.2799 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychology | 8 |
|
Master's
|
42.2804 |
| General Psychology | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.0101 |
Public Services (2 programs, 126 graduates)
Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work | 112 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
44.0701 |
| Public Administration | 14 |
|
Master's
|
44.0401 |
Security & Safety (2 programs, 120 graduates)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cyber and Computer Forensics | 63 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
43.0403 |
| Criminal Justice and Safety Studies | 57 |
|
Bachelor's
|
43.0104 |
Social Sciences (3 programs, 68 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economics | 43 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0601 |
| Political Science and Government | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1001 |
| Sociology | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1101 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Sacred Heart University (SHU).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Sacred Heart University (SHU)
How much does it cost to attend Sacred Heart University (SHU)?
The annual tuition at Sacred Heart University (SHU) is $48,460 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $70,760 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $18,450 (on) / $14,030 (off) and books and supplies $1,200.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Sacred Heart University offer?
Sacred Heart University (SHU) offers 76 academic programs across 20 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Associate's, Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Research), Doctorate (Professional), Residency, Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (14 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (9 programs)
- Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity (3 programs)
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (8 programs)
- Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research (7 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Sacred Heart University?
Sacred Heart University (SHU) has an 67.7% acceptance rate and a 19.7% yield rate, making it selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 14,284
- Students admitted: 9,667
- Students enrolled: 1,905
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Sacred Heart University?
Sacred Heart University (SHU) provides financial aid to 26% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $20,597 and average loans of $15,672.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,172
- State/Local grants: $3,348
- Institutional grants: $19,362
- Federal loans: $5,366
The university supports 1,752 students with grants and 1,113 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Sacred Heart University graduates?
Sacred Heart University (SHU) graduates earn a median salary of $63,925 after 6 years and $75,059 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $52,706 (25th percentile) to $106,588 (75th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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