SHU vs. Ithaca College

Comparable Facts

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

Sacred Heart University is larger than Ithaca College based on total student enrollment (11,022 students vs. 4,767 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sacred Heart University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Ithaca College is in Ithaca, NY (Small Suburban setting).
• Sacred Heart University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ithaca College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sacred Heart University 15:1; Ithaca College 10:1.

SHU vs. Ithaca College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SHU or Ithaca 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 Ithaca College than SHU ($35,253 vs. $47,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ithaca College are 15.4% lower than at Sacred Heart University ($16,192 vs. $19,140).
• Ithaca College is 6.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SHU (about $3,136 more per year; $53,540.00 vs. $50,404.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.2% higher at Ithaca College than at Sacred Heart University (about $3,136 more per year; $53,540.00 vs. $50,404.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ithaca College than at Sacred Heart University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ithaca College students is 54.7% larger than aid received by Sacred Heart University students ($33,450 vs. $21,625).

SHU vs. Ithaca College Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsIthaca College 1230/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsIthaca College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SHU - Test-free; Ithaca College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ithaca College Feb 1, 2027.
• Ithaca College has a higher acceptance rate (69%) than SHU (65.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at SHU vs. 12.3% at Ithaca College.

SHU vs. Ithaca College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SHU and Ithaca 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).

• Ithaca College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Sacred Heart University's (68%).
• Graduates from Sacred Heart University earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than Ithaca College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,700 vs. $56,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sacred Heart University graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than Ithaca College graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, SHU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ithaca College graduates ($258 vs. $266).
• More Ithaca College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SHU students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 76%)

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.