SHU vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

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

Sacred Heart University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (11,022 students vs. 6,053 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

SHU vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SHU or NSU? 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 Norfolk State University than SHU ($9,124 vs. $47,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Norfolk State University are 39.4% lower than at Sacred Heart University ($11,591 vs. $19,140).
• Sacred Heart University is 395.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $40,224 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $10,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 132.5% higher at SHU than at Norfolk State University (about $28,722 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $21,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sacred Heart University than at Norfolk State University (99% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sacred Heart University students is 43.6% larger than aid received by Norfolk State University students ($21,625 vs. $15,056).

SHU vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SHU or NSU? 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 NSU and SHU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorfolk State University 823/1030.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorfolk State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SHU - Test-free; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NSU May 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SHU students have a 0.65 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at NSU (2.9).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than SHU (65.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at SHU vs. 13.2% at NSU.

SHU vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SHU and NSU? 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 Norfolk State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Sacred Heart University earn a median of about $23,000 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,700 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sacred Heart University graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($25,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, SHU graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($258 vs. $320).
• More SHU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 27%)

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.