Paier College vs. SHU

Comparable Facts

Compare Paier College in Bridgeport, CT with Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Sacred Heart University is larger than Paier College based on total student enrollment (11,022 students vs. 203 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Paier College is located in Bridgeport, CT (Large Suburban setting); Sacred Heart University is in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting).
• Paier College is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. Sacred Heart University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Paier College 9:1; Sacred Heart University 15:1.

Paier College vs. SHU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Paier College or SHU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Paier College are 6% lower than at Sacred Heart University ($18,000 vs. $19,140).
• Sacred Heart University is 112.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Paier College (about $26,644 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $23,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 112.1% higher at SHU than at Paier College (about $26,644 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $23,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sacred Heart University than at Paier College (99% vs. 0%).

Paier College vs. SHU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Paier College or SHU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SHU and Paier College.

• Paier College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Paier College - Open admission; SHU - Test-free.

Paier College vs. SHU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Paier College and SHU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Sacred Heart University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Paier College's (56%).
• Graduates from Sacred Heart University earn a median of about $25,500 more per year than Paier College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,700 vs. $34,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sacred Heart University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Paier College graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, SHU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Paier College graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More SHU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Paier College students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 59%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.