SHU vs. Cambridge College

Comparable Facts

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

Sacred Heart University is larger than Cambridge College based on total student enrollment (11,022 students vs. 1,835 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sacred Heart University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Cambridge College is in Boston, MA (Midsize City setting).
• Sacred Heart University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cambridge College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sacred Heart University 15:1; Cambridge College 12:1.

SHU vs. Cambridge College Cost Comparison

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

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Cambridge College than SHU ($31,072 vs. $47,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cambridge College are 37.3% lower than at Sacred Heart University ($12,000 vs. $19,140).
• Sacred Heart University is 174.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cambridge College (about $32,026 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $18,378.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 174.3% higher at SHU than at Cambridge College (about $32,026 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $18,378.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sacred Heart University than at Cambridge College (99% vs. 50%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sacred Heart University students is 620.8% larger than aid received by Cambridge College students ($21,625 vs. $3,000).

SHU vs. Cambridge College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SHU or Cambridge College? 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 Cambridge College and SHU.

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

SHU vs. Cambridge College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SHU and Cambridge College? 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 Cambridge College's (8%).
• Graduates from Sacred Heart University earn a median of about $20,500 more per year than Cambridge College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,700 vs. $39,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cambridge College graduates have a $4,375 lower median loan debt than SHU graduates ($20,625 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Cambridge College graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SHU graduates ($213 vs. $258).
• More SHU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cambridge College students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 41%)

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.