SHU vs. Virginia Union University

Comparable Facts

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

Sacred Heart University is larger than Virginia Union University based on total student enrollment (11,022 students vs. 1,646 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sacred Heart University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Union University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Sacred Heart University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Union University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sacred Heart University 15:1; Virginia Union University 16:1.

SHU vs. Virginia Union University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SHU or Virginia Union 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 Virginia Union University than SHU ($11,483 vs. $47,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Union University are 42.4% lower than at Sacred Heart University ($11,016 vs. $19,140).
• Sacred Heart University is 188.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Virginia Union University (about $32,954 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $17,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 188.8% higher at SHU than at Virginia Union University (about $32,954 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $17,450.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sacred Heart University than at Virginia Union University (99% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sacred Heart University students is 23.4% larger than aid received by Virginia Union University students ($21,625 vs. $17,524).

SHU vs. Virginia Union University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SHU or Virginia Union 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 Virginia Union University and SHU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia Union University 850/885.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SHU - Test-free; Virginia Union University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SHU students have a 0.84 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Virginia Union University (2.71).
• Virginia Union University has a higher acceptance rate (98%) than SHU (65.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at SHU vs. 14.3% at Virginia Union University.

SHU vs. Virginia Union University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SHU and Virginia Union 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 Virginia Union University's (29%).
• Graduates from Sacred Heart University earn a median of about $26,400 more per year than Virginia Union University graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,700 vs. $33,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sacred Heart University graduates have a $8,750 lower median loan debt than Virginia Union University graduates ($25,000 vs. $33,750).
• Among borrowers, SHU graduates have an estimated $90 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Union University graduates ($258 vs. $348).
• More SHU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Virginia Union University students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 19%)

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.