SHU vs. Excelsior University

Deciding between Sacred Heart University and Excelsior University? 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
  • Excelsior University Albany, NY
  • Setting
  • SHU Large Suburban
  • Excelsior University Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • SHU 11,022
  • Excelsior University 12,941
  • Type
  • SHU Private 4 Year
  • Excelsior University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • SHU
  • Excelsior University
  • Religious Affiliation
  • SHU Roman Catholic
  • Excelsior University -
  • Status
  • SHU Non-profit
  • Excelsior University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • SHU
  • Excelsior University
  • Cost

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

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

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • SHU 15:1
  • Excelsior University 21:1
  • Popular Majors
  • SHU
    • Business (36%)
    • Health Professions (18%)
    • Psychology (13%)
    • Communication (6%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Excelsior University
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • SHU 68%
  • Excelsior University -
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • SHU $59,700
  • Excelsior University N/A
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • SHU 76%
  • Excelsior University 55%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • SHU $25,000
  • Excelsior University $10,870
  • Median Loan Payment
  • SHU $258
  • Excelsior University $112
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • SHU 36%
  • Excelsior University 48%
  • % Women
  • SHU 64%
  • Excelsior University 52%
  • Racial Diversity
  • SHU Low
  • Excelsior University High
  • HBCU
  • SHU No
  • Excelsior University No
  • % White
  • SHU 71%
  • Excelsior University 58%
  • % Asian
  • SHU 2%
  • Excelsior University 3%
  • % Black
  • SHU 4%
  • Excelsior University 22%
  • % Hispanic
  • SHU 8%
  • Excelsior University 10%
  • % Native American
  • SHU 0%
  • Excelsior University 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • SHU 0%
  • Excelsior University 1%
  • % Two or More Races
  • SHU 2%
  • Excelsior University 3%
  • % International
  • SHU 1%
  • Excelsior University 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • SHU 12%
  • Excelsior University 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • SHU 23%
  • Excelsior University 35%
  • % Out-of-State
  • SHU 76%
  • Excelsior University 60%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT with Excelsior University in Albany, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Excelsior University is larger than SHU based on total student enrollment (12,941 students vs. 11,022 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Sacred Heart University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Excelsior University is in Albany, NY (Small City setting).
  • Sacred Heart University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Excelsior University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Sacred Heart University 15:1; Excelsior University 21:1.

SHU vs. Excelsior University Cost Comparison

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

  • In-state tuition differs between Sacred Heart University and Excelsior University ($50,404.00 vs. $0.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition differs between SHU and Excelsior University ($50,404.00 vs. $0.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sacred Heart University than at Excelsior University (99% vs. 0%).

SHU vs. Excelsior University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SHU or Excelsior University? 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 Excelsior University and SHU.

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

SHU vs. Excelsior University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SHU and Excelsior University? 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).

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Excelsior University graduates have a $14,130 lower median loan debt than SHU graduates ($10,870 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, Excelsior University graduates have an estimated $146 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SHU graduates ($112 vs. $258).
  • More SHU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Excelsior University students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 55%)

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.