SHU vs. Lesley University

Deciding between Sacred Heart University and Lesley 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
Lesley University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • SHU Fairfield, CT
  • Lesley University Cambridge, MA
  • Setting
  • SHU Large Suburban
  • Lesley University Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • SHU 11,022
  • Lesley University 2,557
  • Type
  • SHU Private 4 Year
  • Lesley University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • SHU
  • Lesley University
  • Religious Affiliation
  • SHU Roman Catholic
  • Lesley University -
  • Status
  • SHU Non-profit
  • Lesley University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • SHU
  • Lesley University

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • SHU $50,404
  • Lesley University $34,256
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • SHU $50,404
  • Lesley University $34,256
  • Room & Board
  • SHU $19,140
  • Lesley University $19,920
  • Average Net Price
  • SHU $47,848
  • Lesley University $32,587
  • Average Grant Aid
  • SHU $21,625
  • Lesley University $19,167
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • SHU 99%
  • Lesley University 100%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • SHU 16,495
  • Lesley University 2,526
  • Admitted
  • SHU 10,781
  • Lesley University 2,447
  • Acceptance Rate
  • SHU 65.4%
  • Lesley University 96.9%
  • Enrolled
  • SHU 17.5%
  • Lesley University 7.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • SHU
  • Lesley University
  • Typical ACT score
  • SHU
  • Lesley University
  • Average High School GPA
  • SHU 3.55
  • Lesley University 3.31
  • Typical High School Grades
  • SHU A-
  • Lesley University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • SHU Unavailable
  • Lesley University Unavailable
  • Applicant Competition
  • SHU Low
  • Lesley University
  • ACT Range
  • SHU
  • Lesley University
  • SAT Range
  • SHU
  • Lesley University
  • Submit Test Scores
  • SHU Test-free
  • Lesley University Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • SHU
  • Lesley University

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • SHU 15:1
  • Lesley University 10:1
  • Popular Majors
  • SHU
    • Business (36%)
    • Health Professions (18%)
    • Psychology (13%)
    • Communication (6%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Lesley University
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (21%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (20%)
    • Psychology (20%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
    • Work and Family Studies (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • SHU 68%
  • Lesley University 49%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • SHU $59,700
  • Lesley University $38,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • SHU 76%
  • Lesley University 63%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • SHU $25,000
  • Lesley University $24,320
  • Median Loan Payment
  • SHU $258
  • Lesley University $251

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • SHU 36%
  • Lesley University 23%
  • % Women
  • SHU 64%
  • Lesley University 77%
  • Racial Diversity
  • SHU Low
  • Lesley University Medium
  • HBCU
  • SHU No
  • Lesley University No
  • % White
  • SHU 71%
  • Lesley University 67%
  • % Asian
  • SHU 2%
  • Lesley University 4%
  • % Black
  • SHU 4%
  • Lesley University 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • SHU 8%
  • Lesley University 10%
  • % Native American
  • SHU 0%
  • Lesley University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • SHU 0%
  • Lesley University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • SHU 2%
  • Lesley University 3%
  • % International
  • SHU 1%
  • Lesley University 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • SHU 12%
  • Lesley University 6%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • SHU 23%
  • Lesley University 62%
  • % Out-of-State
  • SHU 76%
  • Lesley University 34%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

Sacred Heart University is larger than Lesley University based on total student enrollment (11,022 students vs. 2,557 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Sacred Heart University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Lesley University is in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting).
  • Sacred Heart University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lesley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Sacred Heart University 15:1; Lesley University 10:1.

SHU vs. Lesley University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SHU or Lesley 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 Lesley University than SHU ($32,587 vs. $47,848).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sacred Heart University are 3.9% lower than at Lesley University ($19,140 vs. $19,920).
  • Sacred Heart University is 47.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lesley University (about $16,148 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $34,256.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 47.1% higher at SHU than at Lesley University (about $16,148 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $34,256.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lesley University than at Sacred Heart University (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sacred Heart University students is 12.8% larger than aid received by Lesley University students ($21,625 vs. $19,167).

SHU vs. Lesley University Admissions comparison

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

  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SHU - Test-free; Lesley University - Test-free.
  • Accepted freshman SHU students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Lesley University (3.31).
  • Lesley University has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than SHU (65.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at SHU vs. 7.9% at Lesley University.

SHU vs. Lesley University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SHU and Lesley 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 Lesley University's (49%).
  • Graduates from Sacred Heart University earn a median of about $21,100 more per year than Lesley University graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,700 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Lesley University graduates have a $680 lower median loan debt than SHU graduates ($24,320 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, Lesley University graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SHU graduates ($251 vs. $258).
  • More SHU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lesley University students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 63%)

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.