SHU vs. National Louis University

Comparable Facts

Compare Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT with National Louis University in Chicago, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Sacred Heart University is larger than National Louis University based on total student enrollment (11,022 students vs. 8,915 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sacred Heart University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); National Louis University is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
• Sacred Heart University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. National Louis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sacred Heart University 15:1; National Louis University 17:1.

SHU vs. National Louis University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SHU or National Louis 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 National Louis University than SHU ($13,150 vs. $47,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at National Louis University are 23.2% lower than at Sacred Heart University ($14,700 vs. $19,140).
• Sacred Heart University is 296.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than National Louis University (about $37,699 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $12,705.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 296.7% higher at SHU than at National Louis University (about $37,699 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $12,705.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sacred Heart University than at National Louis University (99% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sacred Heart University students is 95.6% larger than aid received by National Louis University students ($21,625 vs. $11,056).

SHU vs. National Louis University Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SHU - Test-free; National Louis University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman SHU students have a 0.75 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at National Louis University (2.8).
• National Louis University has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than SHU (65.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at SHU vs. 18.4% at National Louis University.

SHU vs. National Louis University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SHU and National Louis 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 National Louis University's (26%).
• Graduates from Sacred Heart University earn a median of about $10,400 more per year than National Louis University graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,700 vs. $49,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, National Louis University graduates have a $5,163 lower median loan debt than SHU graduates ($19,837 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, National Louis University graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SHU graduates ($205 vs. $258).
• More SHU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former National Louis University students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 44%)

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.