SHU vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University

Comparable Facts

Compare Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT with Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Sacred Heart University is larger than Potomac State College of West Virginia University based on total student enrollment (11,022 students vs. 1,077 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sacred Heart University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Potomac State College of West Virginia University is in Keyser, WV (Distant Town setting).
• Sacred Heart University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Potomac State College of West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sacred Heart University 15:1; Potomac State College of West Virginia University 13:1.

SHU vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SHU or Potomac State College of West Virginia 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 Potomac State College of West Virginia University than SHU ($9,541 vs. $47,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Potomac State College of West Virginia University are 34.3% lower than at Sacred Heart University ($12,580 vs. $19,140).
• Sacred Heart University is 854.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Potomac State College of West Virginia University (about $45,124 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $5,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 281.8% higher at SHU than at Potomac State College of West Virginia University (about $37,204 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $13,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sacred Heart University than at Potomac State College of West Virginia University (99% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sacred Heart University students is 213.9% larger than aid received by Potomac State College of West Virginia University students ($21,625 vs. $6,890).

SHU vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SHU or Potomac State College of West Virginia 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 Potomac State College of West Virginia University and SHU.

• Potomac State College of West Virginia University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SHU - Test-free; Potomac State College of West Virginia University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman SHU students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Potomac State College of West Virginia University (3.06).

SHU vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SHU and Potomac State College of West Virginia 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).

• Graduates from Sacred Heart University earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,700 vs. $50,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates have a $999 lower median loan debt than SHU graduates ($24,001 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SHU graduates ($248 vs. $258).
• More SHU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Potomac State College of West Virginia University students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 59%)

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.