SHU vs. Empire State University

Comparable Facts

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

Sacred Heart University is larger than Empire State University based on total student enrollment (11,022 students vs. 10,469 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sacred Heart University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Empire State University is in Saratoga Springs, NY (Small Suburban setting).
• Sacred Heart University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Empire State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sacred Heart University 15:1; Empire State University 17:1.

SHU vs. Empire State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SHU or Empire State 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 Empire State University than SHU ($11,659 vs. $47,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Empire State University are 25.7% lower than at Sacred Heart University ($14,230 vs. $19,140).
• Sacred Heart University is 559% more expensive for in-state tuition than Empire State University (about $42,756 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $7,648.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 187.1% higher at SHU than at Empire State University (about $32,846 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $17,558.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sacred Heart University than at Empire State University (99% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sacred Heart University students is 162.3% larger than aid received by Empire State University students ($21,625 vs. $8,243).

SHU vs. Empire State University Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SHU - Test-free; Empire State University - Not reported.

SHU vs. Empire State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SHU and Empire State 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 Empire State University's (19%).
• Graduates from Sacred Heart University earn a median of about $13,700 more per year than Empire State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,700 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Empire State University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than SHU graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Empire State University graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SHU graduates ($240 vs. $258).
• More SHU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Empire State 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.