SHU vs. Washington Adventist University

Should I go to Sacred Heart University or Washington Adventist University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if SHU or Washington Adventist University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Sacred Heart University vs. Washington Adventist University comparison
Sacred Heart University Washington Adventist University College 3 College 4
Sacred Heart University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

SHU Washington Adventist University
Location Fairfield, CT Takoma Park, MD
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 10,721 671
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic Seventh Day Adventists - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sacredheart.edu wau.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

SHU Washington Adventist University
Tuition (In State) $46,310 $23,400
Tuition (Out of State) $46,310 $23,400
Room & Board $17,520 $10,440
Avg Net Price $45,280 $17,088
Avg Grant Aid $19,484 $15,534
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

SHU Washington Adventist University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 13,316 1,223
Admitted 8,750 629
Acceptance Rate 65.7% 51.4%Open
Enrolled % 20.3% 9.4%Open
Avg High School GPA 3.55 3.24
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

SHU Washington Adventist University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 6:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (36%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (45%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (4%)

Outcomes

SHU Washington Adventist University
Graduation Rate 68% 27%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $59,700 $47,900
Making Student Loan Payments 76% 39%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $26,039
Median Loan Payment $258 $269

Diversity

SHU Washington Adventist University
% Men 35% 35%
% Women 65% 65%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 71% 16%
% Black 4% 49%
% Hispanic 8% 11%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 2% 1%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 12% 13%

Students

SHU Washington Adventist University
% In-State 23% 56%
% Out-of-State 75% 44%

Campus

SHU Washington Adventist University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Sacred Heart University is larger than than Washington Adventist University based on total student enrollment (10,721 students vs. 671 students)

SHU vs. Washington Adventist University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SHU or Washington Adventist University?

  • Sacred Heart University is 97.9% more expensive to attend than Washington Adventist University for in-state tuition ($46,310.00 vs. $23,400.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 97.9% higher at SHU than Washington Adventist University ($46,310.00 vs. $23,400.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Washington Adventist University than SHU ($17,088 vs. $45,280)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington Adventist University are 67.8% lower than costs at Sacred Heart University ($10,440 vs. $17,520)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Washington Adventist University than Sacred Heart University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sacred Heart University students is 25.4% larger than aid received Washington Adventist University ($19,484 vs. $15,534)

SHU vs. Washington Adventist University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SHU or Washington Adventist University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Washington Adventist University or SHU .

  • Accepted freshman SHU students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Washington Adventist University (3.24)
  • SHU has a higher acceptance rate (65.7%) than Washington Adventist University (51.4%)

SHU vs. Washington Adventist University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SHU or Washington Adventist University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Washington Adventist University and SHU.

  • The graduation rate at SHU is higher than Washington Adventist University (68% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Sacred Heart University earn on average $11,800 more per year than Washington Adventist University graduates after ten years. ($59,700 vs. $47,900)
  • Sacred Heart University students graduate with a $1,039 lower median federal student loan debt than Washington Adventist University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $26,039)
  • SHU graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Washington Adventist University graduates. ($258 vs. $269)
  • More SHU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Washington Adventist University students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 39%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/