
Sacred Heart University competes in NCAA Division I athletics. Most of its varsity programs compete in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, while conference arrangements for particular sports - including football and ice hockey - can differ.
Varsity opportunities include sports such as basketball, soccer, lacrosse, volleyball, and swimming and diving. Competitive team participation is distinct from club sports, intramurals, and recreational fitness, which offer other ways to be active. Students interested in a particular team should verify whether it is varsity or club level, its current conference, and its tryout or recruiting process. Athletic aid, where offered, is subject to team and eligibility rules rather than guaranteed by participation.
Sacred Heart University has student organizations spanning academic interests, service, performing arts, and social life. Reported examples include the Student Nurses Association, Exercise Science Club, American Sign Language Club, Business Administration Club, and a group associated with the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association.
Students can also look for student-government opportunities, Greek-letter organizations, and campus media. Sacred Heart reports a student newspaper, radio station, and television station, as well as theater and choral groups. Club activity and membership requirements can change from year to year, so an organization directory or activities fair is the best way to identify groups currently recruiting members.
Sacred Heart University reports roughly 11,022 students across its programs. Its entering undergraduate class is sizable: reported first-time degree-seeking enrollment was 1,885, compared with 134 incoming transfer students in the same reporting context.
The reported geographic mix is notably national for a Connecticut institution: about 23% of the measured student group came from Connecticut and 76% from other U.S. states, with a smaller share from other countries. Students in their late teens and early twenties make up much of the population, although the university also enrolls adult learners. These figures describe enrollment, not the experience or identity of any individual student.
Residential and commuter students are both prominent. That mix can affect when students are on campus, so applicants comparing daily life should consider their likely schedule and housing plans as well as overall enrollment.
Student life at Sacred Heart University combines residential activities with a substantial commuter presence. About half of students are reported to live on campus, making it important for activities and support services to serve students who arrive and leave on different schedules.
Students can connect through campus programming, media and performing arts, recreation, and service opportunities. The university also reports a health clinic and personal or psychological counseling. For a student evaluating fit, useful questions include when events occur, how to reach services between classes, and whether activities are accessible from both the main and West Campus facilities.
Ryan Matura Library is Sacred Heart University's main academic library. The institution reports two campus libraries and offers reservable study rooms, giving students options for individual or group work.
Library services extend beyond physical books to research help and access to academic information resources. Students with substantial research assignments should ask a librarian about subject databases, journal access, and obtaining materials not held locally. Published library hours should be checked around exams and breaks; the reported facilities do not provide a routinely open 24-hour study area.
Total enrollment
11022Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen
1924Member of Athletic Associations
NCAATotal staff
353 full time, 678 part timeVeterans affair office
YesVarsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).
Sport
Badminton
Baseball
Basketball
Bowling
Cheerleading
Crew
Cross-country running
Equestrian sports
Fencing
Field hockey
Football
Golf
Gymnastics
Ice hockey
Indoor track
Lacrosse
Rock climbing
Rowing
Rugby
Sailing
Soccer
Softball
Swimming and diving
Tennis
Track and field
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Weight lifting
Wrestling
Data last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.