SHU vs. Lincoln University

Comparable Facts

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

Sacred Heart University is larger than Lincoln University based on total student enrollment (11,022 students vs. 1,670 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sacred Heart University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Lincoln University is in Lincoln University, PA (Town Fringe setting).
• Sacred Heart University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lincoln University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sacred Heart University 15:1; Lincoln University 12:1.

SHU vs. Lincoln University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SHU or Lincoln 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 Lincoln University than SHU ($14,473 vs. $47,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lincoln University are 39.3% lower than at Sacred Heart University ($11,616 vs. $19,140).
• Sacred Heart University is 302.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lincoln University (about $37,892 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $12,512.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 160% higher at SHU than at Lincoln University (about $31,020 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $19,384.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sacred Heart University than at Lincoln University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sacred Heart University students is 57.3% larger than aid received by Lincoln University students ($21,625 vs. $13,750).

SHU vs. Lincoln University Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsLincoln University 820/960.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SHU - Test-free; Lincoln University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lincoln University May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SHU students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Lincoln University (3.06).
• Lincoln University has a higher acceptance rate (65.7%) than SHU (65.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at SHU vs. 12.3% at Lincoln University.

SHU vs. Lincoln University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SHU and Lincoln 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 Lincoln University's (40%).
• Graduates from Sacred Heart University earn a median of about $24,600 more per year than Lincoln University graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,700 vs. $35,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sacred Heart University graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Lincoln University graduates ($25,000 vs. $31,500).
• Among borrowers, SHU graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lincoln University graduates ($258 vs. $325).
• More SHU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lincoln University students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 32%)

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.