SHU vs. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology

Comparable Facts

Compare Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT with Harrisburg University of Science and Technology in Harrisburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Sacred Heart University is larger than Harrisburg University of Science and Technology based on total student enrollment (11,022 students vs. 3,650 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sacred Heart University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is in Harrisburg, PA (Small City setting).
• Sacred Heart University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sacred Heart University 15:1; Harrisburg University of Science and Technology 18:1.

SHU vs. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SHU or Harrisburg University of Science and Technology? 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 Harrisburg University of Science and Technology than SHU ($15,984 vs. $47,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology are 42.3% lower than at Sacred Heart University ($11,040 vs. $19,140).
• Sacred Heart University is 106.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (about $26,004 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $24,400.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 106.6% higher at SHU than at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (about $26,004 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $24,400.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Sacred Heart University as at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sacred Heart University students is 9.7% larger than aid received by Harrisburg University of Science and Technology students ($21,625 vs. $19,706).

SHU vs. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SHU or Harrisburg University of Science and Technology? 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 Harrisburg University of Science and Technology and SHU.

• Harrisburg University of Science and Technology reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SHU - Test-free; Harrisburg University of Science and Technology - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman SHU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (3.42).
• Harrisburg University of Science and Technology has a higher acceptance rate (87.4%) than SHU (65.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at SHU vs. 9.6% at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.

SHU vs. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SHU and Harrisburg University of Science and Technology? 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 Harrisburg University of Science and Technology's (9%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sacred Heart University graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Harrisburg University of Science and Technology graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,500).
• Among borrowers, SHU graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Harrisburg University of Science and Technology graduates ($258 vs. $274).
• More SHU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harrisburg University of Science and Technology students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 43%)

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.