SHU vs. Iona University

Comparable Facts

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

Sacred Heart University is larger than Iona University based on total student enrollment (11,022 students vs. 3,958 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sacred Heart University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Iona University is in New Rochelle, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Sacred Heart University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Iona University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sacred Heart University 15:1; Iona University 16:1.

SHU vs. Iona University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SHU or Iona University? 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 Iona University than SHU ($29,978 vs. $47,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iona University are 1.7% lower than at Sacred Heart University ($18,820 vs. $19,140).
• Sacred Heart University is 6.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iona University (about $3,144 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $47,260.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.7% higher at SHU than at Iona University (about $3,144 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $47,260.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Iona University than at Sacred Heart University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Iona University students is 42.3% larger than aid received by Sacred Heart University students ($30,780 vs. $21,625).

SHU vs. Iona University Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsIona University 1110/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsIona University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SHU - Test-free; Iona University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iona University Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SHU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Iona University (3.4).
• Iona University has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than SHU (65.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at SHU vs. 12.9% at Iona University.

SHU vs. Iona University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SHU and Iona 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).

• Sacred Heart University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Iona University's (57%).
• Graduates from Sacred Heart University earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than Iona University graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,700 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sacred Heart University graduates have a $1,047 lower median loan debt than Iona University graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,047).
• Among borrowers, SHU graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Iona University graduates ($258 vs. $269).
• More SHU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iona University students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 73%)

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.