SHU vs. Ascent College

Deciding between Sacred Heart University and Ascent College? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Sacred Heart University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • SHU Fairfield, CT
  • Ascent College Gainesville, VA
  • Setting
  • SHU Large Suburban
  • Ascent College Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • SHU 11,022
  • Ascent College 83
  • Type
  • SHU Private 4 Year
  • Ascent College Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • SHU
  • Ascent College
  • Religious Affiliation
  • SHU Roman Catholic
  • Ascent College Assemblies of God Church
  • Status
  • SHU Non-profit
  • Ascent College Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • SHU
  • Ascent College
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • SHU $50,404
  • Ascent College $8,550
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • SHU $50,404
  • Ascent College $8,550
  • Room & Board
  • SHU $19,140
  • Ascent College $11,960
  • Average Net Price
  • SHU $47,848
  • Ascent College -
  • Average Grant Aid
  • SHU $21,625
  • Ascent College $0
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • SHU 99%
  • Ascent College 0%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • SHU 16,495
  • Ascent College -
  • Admitted
  • SHU 10,781
  • Ascent College -
  • Acceptance Rate
  • SHU 65.4%
  • Ascent College Open
  • Enrolled
  • SHU 17.5%
  • Ascent College Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • SHU
  • Ascent College
  • Typical ACT score
  • SHU
  • Ascent College
  • Average High School GPA
  • SHU 3.55
  • Ascent College -
  • Typical High School Grades
  • SHU A-
  • Ascent College -
  • Admissions Standards
  • SHU Unavailable
  • Ascent College Unavailable
  • Applicant Competition
  • SHU Low
  • Ascent College
  • ACT Range
  • SHU
  • Ascent College
  • SAT Range
  • SHU
  • Ascent College
  • Submit Test Scores
  • SHU Test-free
  • Ascent College Open admission
  • Application Deadline
  • SHU
  • Ascent College
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • SHU 15:1
  • Ascent College 8:1
  • Popular Majors
  • SHU
    • Business (36%)
    • Health Professions (18%)
    • Psychology (13%)
    • Communication (6%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Ascent College
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (100%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • SHU 68%
  • Ascent College -
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • SHU $59,700
  • Ascent College N/A
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • SHU 76%
  • Ascent College -
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • SHU $25,000
  • Ascent College N/A
  • Median Loan Payment
  • SHU $258
  • Ascent College N/A
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • SHU 36%
  • Ascent College 43%
  • % Women
  • SHU 64%
  • Ascent College 57%
  • Racial Diversity
  • SHU Low
  • Ascent College Very High
  • HBCU
  • SHU No
  • Ascent College No
  • % White
  • SHU 71%
  • Ascent College 36%
  • % Asian
  • SHU 2%
  • Ascent College 3%
  • % Black
  • SHU 4%
  • Ascent College 45%
  • % Hispanic
  • SHU 8%
  • Ascent College 16%
  • % Native American
  • SHU 0%
  • Ascent College 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • SHU 0%
  • Ascent College 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • SHU 2%
  • Ascent College 0%
  • % International
  • SHU 1%
  • Ascent College 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • SHU 12%
  • Ascent College 0%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • SHU 23%
  • Ascent College 67%
  • % Out-of-State
  • SHU 76%
  • Ascent College 33%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • SHU Yes
  • Ascent College No
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • SHU No
  • Ascent College No
  • Meal Plan
  • SHU Yes
  • Ascent College No
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • SHU Yes
  • Ascent College Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • SHU No
  • Ascent College No

Comparable Facts

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

Sacred Heart University is larger than Ascent College based on total student enrollment (11,022 students vs. 83 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Sacred Heart University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Ascent College is in Gainesville, VA (Midsize City setting).
  • Sacred Heart University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ascent College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Sacred Heart University 15:1; Ascent College 8:1.

SHU vs. Ascent College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SHU or Ascent College? 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 Ascent College are 37.5% lower than at Sacred Heart University ($11,960 vs. $19,140).
  • Sacred Heart University is 489.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ascent College (about $41,854 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $8,550.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 489.5% higher at SHU than at Ascent College (about $41,854 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $8,550.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sacred Heart University than at Ascent College (99% vs. 0%).

SHU vs. Ascent College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SHU or Ascent College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Ascent College and SHU.

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

SHU vs. Ascent College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SHU and Ascent College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

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.