Fairfield University vs Sacred Heart University

Sacred Heart University vs Fairfield University

Fairfield University is a private Jesuit university in Fairfield, Connecticut, set in a suburban area. It is a mid-sized college with around 4,968 undergraduate students. Admissions are now very competitive, having an acceptance rate of around 25% (Class of 2029). Some of the most sought-after majors are Business, Nursing, Social Sciences, Communication, and Psychology. The six-year graduation rate stands at about 84%, and Fairfield alumni have a median starting salary of around INR 64,00,000 (based on $77,100 median earnings ten years post-enrollment).

Sacred Heart University (SHU) is a private Roman Catholic university located in Fairfield, Connecticut, also situated in a suburban area. It is a mid-sized university with around 6,524–6,729 undergraduate students. Admissions are moderately competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 66–68%. SHU is test-optional with a mean incoming GPA of 3.6. Business, Health Professions (specifically Nursing), Psychology, Communication, and Social Sciences are among the most popular majors. The six-year graduation rate stands at 74%, and SHU graduates have a median starting salary of around INR 49,50,000 (converted from $59,700 median earnings for those ten years after entering).

Overview Comparison
Sacred Heart UniversityFairfield University
ranking (overall)# 410 Center for World University Rankings 2025
# 209 US News 2024
# 370 Forbes 2019
# 124 US News 2024
# 1413 Center for World University Rankings 2022
# 1391 Center for World University Rankings 2021
ProgramsUG Programs -43
PG Programs -13
UG Programs -40
PG Programs -9
Acceptance Rate67.7 %45.0 %
Exam ScoreDuolingo-110
IELTS-6.5
PTE-62
TOEFL-80
IELTS-6.5
TOEFL-84
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   44080
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  41250
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 19140 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   47650
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  29250
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 30840 Per Year
placement (average package)

A career fair called "Connect to Career paths—Advanced Technology Pipeline to Employment" is held at Sacred Heart University. To assist in fostering connections with various businesses, the University has partnered with the nonprofit organisation “Connecticut Center of High Technology”. In addition, the university manages job searches for grads/ alumni and posts online job openings via Handshake, SHU's online job bank. Next are a few stats related to salary after course expectations at SHU: 

  • The highest-paid Catholic University of the Sacred Heart alumni and graduates are Legal and Paralegal professionals with a salary of INR 56,25,000 annually. 
  • The lowest-paid Catholic University of the Sacred Heart alumni and graduates include the Legal Department professionals with an annual salary of INR 20,00,000.
  • The best-paying degree at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart is an MBA, with alumni earning an average annual salary of INR 71,03,000.
  • Graduates from SHU who earn the least salaries are those with other Sacred Heart University degrees other than MBA, BA, BSc, master, doctorate, etc, earning an annual salary of INR 23,25,000.

Some of the majors and the average salary are:

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services: $60,600

Health Professions and Related Programs: $63,800

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs: $52,500

Psychology: $45,300

Social Sciences: $57,300


application requirements

Applicants must have GPA of 3.0 or equivalent

Submit official transcripts

Submit english language requirements

Check program specific requirements

Submit official transcripts

Submit English language proficiency

Check program specific requirements

CollegeDunia Reviews8.3/10 Read 1 reviews-

Top Courses Comparison

Top Courses Comparison

exam scoresDuolingo - 110/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 62/90TOEFL - 80/120GMAT - 500/800IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 53/90TOEFL - 80/120
cost to studyTotal Cost (Tuition + Living) -Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -29250
application datesNov 15, 2025 (Enrollment Deposit Deadline For Spring 2026 Intake)
Feb 15, 2026 (Enrollment Deposit Deadline For Late Spring 2026 Intake)
Jul 15, 2026 (Enrollment Deposit Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake)
Jun 15, 2026 (Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake)
Oct 15, 2025 (Application Deadline For Spring 2026 Intake)
Dec 22, 2025 (Application Deadline For Late Spring 2026 Intake)
Sep 1, 2023 (Priority Application Deadline For Spring Intake)
May 1, 2024 (Priority Application Deadline For Fall Intake)
General Facts Comparison
General FactsSacred Heart UniversityFairfield University
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1963
1942
Student:Faculty Ratio14:1
12:1
Male:Female63% Male, 37% Female40% Male, 60% Female
Location Facts

The main campus is located in suburban Fairfield, Connecticut; 50 miles (80 km) northeast of New York City and 150 miles (240 km) southwest of Boston.

Additional campuses

  • Center for Healthcare Education (Bridgeport, Connecticut)
  • West Campus (Fairfield, Connecticut)
  • Stamford Campus (Stamford, Connecticut)
  • Griswold Campus (Griswold, Connecticut)
  • Dingle, County Kerry Campus (Ireland)
  • WSHU Broadcast Center (Fairfield, Connecticut)

Fairfield University is located in Fairfield, Connecticut, a coastal town along Long Island Sound. It is less than 60 miles from New York City and approximately 1 hour 20 minutes away by Metro-North Railroad.


Library
  • Full-text articles on U.S. history from 120 journals and over 2,000 reference works. Also contains over 59,600 primary documents; and biographies, photos, maps, and videos.
  • A collection of over 125,000 fulltext multidisciplinary eBook titles representing a broad range of academic subjects.
  • A collection of over 60,000 eBooks within the public domain. These can be used as primary or secondary resources, depending on context.
  • African American Periodicals, 1825-1995, features more than 170 wide-ranging periodicals by and about African Americans. Published in 26 states, the publications include academic and political journals, commercial magazines, institutional newsletters, organizations bulletins, annual reports and other genres.
  • Early American Newspapers, Series 1, 1690-1876 offers 340,000 fully searchable issues from over 730 invaluable American newspapers. Focusing largely on the 18th and early 19th centuries, this online collection is based on Clarence S. Brigham’s “History and Bibliography of American Newspapers, 1690-1820” and other authoritative bibliographies.
  • To accommodate the needs for both individual and collaborative study, the library has different expectations about the level of noise in different parts of the library. The service desks and Library Cafe are located on the 1st floor and we cannot expect that these areas remain silent. We understand that group study may occur on the lower level as well.
  • So while we expect that there may be low-toned noise on the 1st and lower levels, the 2nd floor of the library has been designated as a quiet study floor.

The DiMenna-Nyselius Library empowers the members of the university's community in the development of their whole person, including their intellectual, psychological, spiritual, and professional exploration; their growth as critical thinkers; their endeavors as knowledge creators; and their quest for lifelong fulfillment.


Campus Life

Sacred Heart University Students can pursue their passions, participate in clubs and activities with important goals, and travel the world if they wish. The student life at SHU is lively. So, one can join SHU if they are in the mood for energy, camaraderie, and relaxation. Plus, the students will always have something to do, whether cheering on the Pioneers, giving their time and talent to a service project or just hanging out with fun, interesting people at a social event. Let’s check the other insights into student life at Sacred Heart University. 

  • By participating in the university’s Band & Orchestra, Choral, Theatre Arts or Dance programs, the students get the opportunity to develop and showcase their talents with fellow students and faculty who share the same passion for performance.
  • At Sacred Heart University, there are countless opportunities for enjoyment. There are 25 club sports on campus, including intramural sports, free fitness classes, and a gym.
  • The university has a Greek Community with more than 1800 students, including 8 sororities and 4 fraternities. 
  • All undergraduates at Sacred Heart University have access to more than 60 clubs and organisations run by the students. These clubs allow students to interact with staff and professors outside of the classroom, meet other students with similar interests, and strengthen their ties to the community of Sacred Heart.
  • Social responsibility plays a role in the university’s curriculum, events, and student activities. Thus, Sacred Heart University offers Volunteer Programs, Service Learning opportunities, and Service Immersion Programs to suit every aspiration, career goal, and social interest.

Student life at Fairfield University supports the Jesuit tradition of caring for the whole person by providing opportunities that engage students in meaningful activities designed for their living and learning experience. Along with meeting lifelong friends, Fairfield provides a rich opportunity to grow as a whole person with the help of mentors, professors and community members. In this vibrant community with over 100 clubs and organizations, there are countless activities to choose from. Whether it is participating in an intramural sport, Broadway trip, Fairfield@Night event, attending an athletic games or quintessential events like Red Sea Madness, Alumni & Family Weekend, Presidential Ball or Midnight Breakfast there is always something to do. Downtown Fairfield, which offers everything from great restaurants, shops, and theaters, is only a five-minute bus ride away. If you’re feeling adventurous, bike to the beach to catch a sunset or take a quick train ride from our Fairfield station to explore all that New York City has to offer. Make room on your calendars now because at Fairfield- there is never a dull moment.


Hostel#On-Campus Housing(Median Price) - $12700
#On campus - $14280
#Off campus (not with family) - $14280
#Off campus (with family) - $2280
Famous Alumni

Many famed former students of SHU are now pursuing impressive careers in fields like business, sports, music, movie, and politics, among others. Professional wrestler—Romeo Roselli, singer-songwriter—Jeff LeBlanc, football player—Jon Corto, and politician Pat—Boyd from the United States are some of the well-known figures connected to Sacred Heart University. Further, Suzanne Greco, the well-known fast-food chain Subway CEO, is also one of the university's accomplished graduates. Let’s check a few alumni-related facts at SHU: 

  • There are 50,922 living Sacred Heart University alumni 
  • There are 1,110 married alumni couples
  • There are 1,154 alumni that have had siblings graduate from SHU
  • SHU alumni hail from 66 countries
  • The alumni at SHU participate in various events and conferences like Christmas celebration, game tournaments, etc. 
  • The university of various benefits to the alumni like Golfclub access, lifetime email account, no application fee for graduate programs, pioneer pride program, on-campus resources, etc. 

Michael Amalfitano - president and CEO, Embraer Executive Jets
Michael G. Archbold – former CEO, Talbots, Vitamin Shoppe and GNC
Joseph Berardino  – managing director, Alvarez & Marsal; former CEO, Arthur Andersen

Ronald A. Bosco – Distinguished Professor of English and American Literature, University at Albany
William Doerner – Professor, Florida State University, College of Criminology and Criminal Justice
James Hanrahan – founding Chancellor, St. Thomas More School


City Life
  • Connecticut is the kind of place where people want to work — because it's the kind of place they love to live. Connecticut's quality of life consistently ranks among the top states in the country, thanks to our highly ranked schools, our low crime rates, our healthy population and so much more.
  • 101 state parks and pristine lakes and ponds of all sizes, which are perfect for fishing, hiking and exploring.
  • #2 in the U.S. for college readiness, and #4 for top high schools in the nation.
  • 21 world-class museums and home to 5 Tony Award-winning regional producing theaters.

The Town of Fairfield, Connecticut is located in Fairfield County, along the shoreline of the Long Island Sound, between the cities of Bridgeport and Stamford. Fairfield is a thriving southern New England town of approximately 61,000 residents that is consistently named by Money Magazine as one of the best places to live in the State of Connecticut. Lately, the Town of Fairfield has placed a significant focus on economic development and it is working closely with some of its nearby municipalities in Fairfield County, specifically Greenwich, Stamford, Norwalk, and Westport, in order to market itself to potential new businesses. 


Weather
Comparison Notes

Fairfield University vs Sacred Heart University

Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)

Fairfield University ranks above Sacred Heart University (SHU) in national rankings. Fairfield appears as 124th in US News National Universities 2025, while SHU is ranked around 410th in the world in the Center for World University Rankings 2025. Fairfield performs well in Business, Nursing, and Social Sciences, with solid regional awareness in the Northeast. SHU is notable for Health Professions (particularly Nursing) and Business, ranking in the top 50% for these fields (EduRank 2025). Fairfield’s Jesuit education enhances its academic reputation, while SHU’s practical, career-focused programs are well regarded locally.

General Information

SHU is slightly larger, with a total enrollment of over 11,000 students compared to Fairfield’s 6,298. Fairfield offers 40 undergraduate and 9 graduate programs, emphasizing a well-rounded Jesuit liberal arts education. SHU offers 43 undergraduate and 13 graduate degrees, with an emphasis on professional-oriented education in Business and Health Professions. Both institutions are set in a suburban location in Fairfield, Connecticut, but Fairfield's campus is famous for its picturesque vicinity to the Connecticut coast, whereas SHU's campus boasts active student life with many clubs and activities.

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

Fairfield's admission is considerably more selective, with a 25% acceptance rate, against SHU's 66–68%. Fairfield's middle 50% SAT score range is 1310–1420, and its average GPA admitted is 3.9, whereas SHU is test-optional with an average GPA of 3.6. Fairfield has a larger applicant pool and a greater yield rate, indicative of high demand. Fairfield foregrounds Jesuit values and academic excellence, whereas SHU focuses on accessibility and diversity.

Research Impact & Facilities

Both institutions have smaller research profiles than major universities. Fairfield is a master's university, with research centered on undergraduate engagement in Social Sciences and Business with a small library system in place. SHU is a doctoral/research university, with research centered on applied research in Health Professions and Business, with contemporary facilities like the Center for Healthcare Education. Fairfield's Jesuit framework lends itself to service-based research, while SHU partnerships with local industries serve to create pragmatic research environments.

Cost & Financial Aid

The tuition for Fairfield is around $58,350, with room and board costing around $17,400, whereas SHU's tuition is $50,404, with room and board costing $18,450. Fairfield's financial aid package is more average ($25,877 compared to SHU's $20,597), with 95% of students qualifying for financial aid, as opposed to SHU's 99%. SHU is cheaper overall, but Fairfield's bigger packages help students of higher need. Both institutions offer a combination of need-based and merit-based aid, with Fairfield having more substantial support for international students.

Career Outcomes & Alumni Achievement

Fairfield graduates also have significantly higher median salaries ($77,100 compared to SHU's $59,700 ten years after graduation) and a higher graduation rate (84% compared to 74%). Fairfield's alumni perform well in Business, Finance, and Social Sciences with the benefit of a solid Northeast network and high job placement in professional areas. SHU alumni excel in Health Professions, especially Nursing, and Business, with a strong Connecticut regional network. Fairfield's Jesuit experience develops leaders and community servants, complemented by SHU's job-focused programs for strong local employability.