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Sacred Heart University

#516 in US ranking Fairfield, CT
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$71,445
Tuition & fees
$52,410
Avg. aid
$21,629
Receiving aid
100%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
65%

Outcomes

Graduation rate
73%
Median salary
$60,078
1 yr after graduation

What does Sacred Heart University offer in terms of athletics?

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.

What student groups and Associations are available at Sacred Heart University?

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.

Who studies at Sacred Heart University?

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.

How does student life look like at Sacred Heart University?

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.

What libraries are available to students at Sacred Heart University?

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.

Sacred Heart University Student Life for 2027

Total enrollment

11022

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

1924

Member of Athletic Associations

NCAA

Total staff

353 full time, 678 part time

Veterans affair office

Yes

Sacred Heart University Student Body

Undergraduate vs. graduate students

Undergraduate: 7,204
Graduate: 3,818

Full-time vs. part-time students

Full-time: 8,605
Part-time: 2,417

Full-time degree-seeking students by gender

Women: 1,215
Men: 709

Students by race/ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino: 1,097
Black or African American: 231
White: 5,129
American Indian or Alaska Native: 7
Asian: 124
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 6
Two or more races: 182
Unknown: 289

Freshly enrolled students' age

Under 25 years
Over 25 years

Sacred Heart University Sports & Athletics

  • Member of NCAA

Varsity 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

Varsity Intramural Aid

Badminton

–Both–

Baseball

MenMenMen

Basketball

BothBothBoth

Bowling

WomenBothWomen

Cheerleading

Women––

Crew

Women–Women

Cross-country running

BothBothBoth

Equestrian sports

Women–Women

Fencing

BothWomenBoth

Field hockey

Women–Women

Football

MenMenMen

Golf

BothBothBoth

Gymnastics

–Both–

Ice hockey

BothMenBoth

Indoor track

Women––

Lacrosse

BothBothBoth

Rock climbing

–Both–

Rowing

Women–Women

Rugby

WomenMenWomen

Sailing

–Both–

Soccer

BothBothBoth

Softball

WomenBothWomen

Swimming and diving

WomenWomenWomen

Tennis

BothBothBoth

Track and field

Both–Both

Ultimate Frisbee

–Men–

Volleyball

BothBothBoth

Weight lifting

–Both–

Wrestling

MenMenMen

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.

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