SHU vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

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

Sacred Heart University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (11,022 students vs. 5,570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

SHU vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SHU or Columbia 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 Columbia College Chicago than SHU ($29,473 vs. $47,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sacred Heart University are 7.2% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($19,140 vs. $20,629).
• Sacred Heart University is 47.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $16,316 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $34,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.9% higher at SHU than at Columbia College Chicago (about $16,316 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $34,088.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than at Sacred Heart University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 5.3% larger than aid received by Sacred Heart University students ($22,780 vs. $21,625).

SHU vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

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

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SHU - Test-free; Columbia College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SHU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Columbia College (3.41).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than SHU (65.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at SHU vs. 15.1% at Columbia College.

SHU vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SHU and Columbia 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).

• Sacred Heart University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Columbia College Chicago's (41%).
• Graduates from Sacred Heart University earn a median of about $22,400 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,700 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sacred Heart University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, SHU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More SHU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 46%)

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.