SHU vs. Southern New Hampshire University

Comparable Facts

Compare Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT with Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, NH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern New Hampshire University is larger than SHU based on total student enrollment (189,531 students vs. 11,022 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sacred Heart University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Southern New Hampshire University is in Manchester, NH (Midsize City setting).
• Sacred Heart University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern New Hampshire University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sacred Heart University 15:1; Southern New Hampshire University 24:1.

SHU vs. Southern New Hampshire University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SHU or Southern New Hampshire 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 Southern New Hampshire University than SHU ($36,501 vs. $47,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern New Hampshire University are 33.1% lower than at Sacred Heart University ($12,800 vs. $19,140).
• Sacred Heart University is 193% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern New Hampshire University (about $33,204 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $17,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 193% higher at SHU than at Southern New Hampshire University (about $33,204 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $17,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sacred Heart University than at Southern New Hampshire University (99% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sacred Heart University students is 379.9% larger than aid received by Southern New Hampshire University students ($21,625 vs. $4,506).

SHU vs. Southern New Hampshire University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SHU or Southern New Hampshire 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 Southern New Hampshire University and SHU.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SHU - Test-free; Southern New Hampshire University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman SHU students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Southern New Hampshire University (3.18).
• Southern New Hampshire University has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than SHU (65.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at SHU vs. 38% at Southern New Hampshire University.

SHU vs. Southern New Hampshire University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SHU and Southern New Hampshire 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 Southern New Hampshire University's (61%).
• Graduates from Sacred Heart University earn a median of about $13,300 more per year than Southern New Hampshire University graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,700 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern New Hampshire University graduates have a $6,184 lower median loan debt than SHU graduates ($18,816 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Southern New Hampshire University graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SHU graduates ($194 vs. $258).
• More SHU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern New Hampshire University students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 51%)

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.