SHU vs. Hampshire College

Comparable Facts

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

Sacred Heart University is larger than Hampshire College based on total student enrollment (11,022 students vs. 844 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sacred Heart University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Hampshire College is in Amherst, MA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Sacred Heart University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hampshire College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sacred Heart University 15:1; Hampshire College 13:1.

SHU vs. Hampshire College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SHU or Hampshire 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 Hampshire College than SHU ($27,895 vs. $47,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hampshire College are 16.6% lower than at Sacred Heart University ($15,958 vs. $19,140).
• Hampshire College is 16.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than SHU (about $8,492 more per year; $58,896.00 vs. $50,404.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.8% higher at Hampshire College than at Sacred Heart University (about $8,492 more per year; $58,896.00 vs. $50,404.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hampshire College than at Sacred Heart University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hampshire College students is 113.4% larger than aid received by Sacred Heart University students ($46,145 vs. $21,625).

SHU vs. Hampshire College Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SHU - Test-free; Hampshire College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hampshire College Jan 15, 2027.
• Hampshire College has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than SHU (65.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at SHU vs. 14.4% at Hampshire College.

SHU vs. Hampshire College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SHU and Hampshire 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 Hampshire College's (61%).
• Graduates from Sacred Heart University earn a median of about $22,600 more per year than Hampshire College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,700 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hampshire College graduates have a $1,469 lower median loan debt than SHU graduates ($23,531 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Hampshire College graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SHU graduates ($243 vs. $258).
• More SHU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hampshire College students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 72%)

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.