CCSU vs. SHU

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, CT with Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Sacred Heart University is larger than CCSU based on total student enrollment (11,022 students vs. 9,997 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Connecticut State University is located in New Britain, CT (Large Suburban setting); Sacred Heart University is in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting).
• Central Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sacred Heart University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Connecticut State University 14:1; Sacred Heart University 15:1.

CCSU vs. SHU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CCSU or SHU? 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 Central Connecticut State University than SHU ($17,528 vs. $47,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Connecticut State University are 31.6% lower than at Sacred Heart University ($13,086 vs. $19,140).
• Sacred Heart University is 286.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than CCSU (about $37,354 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $13,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 204.6% higher at SHU than at Central Connecticut State University (about $33,854 more per year; $50,404.00 vs. $16,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sacred Heart University than at Central Connecticut State University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sacred Heart University students is 144.6% larger than aid received by Central Connecticut State University students ($21,625 vs. $8,842).

CCSU vs. SHU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CCSU or SHU? 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 SHU and CCSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Connecticut State University 960/1190.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CCSU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); SHU - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: CCSU Aug 26, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SHU students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at CCSU (3.2).
• CCSU has a higher acceptance rate (73.3%) than SHU (65.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.6% at CCSU vs. 17.5% at SHU.

CCSU vs. SHU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CCSU and SHU? 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 Central Connecticut State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Sacred Heart University earn a median of about $10,700 more per year than CCSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,700 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Connecticut State University graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than SHU graduates ($22,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, CCSU graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SHU graduates ($232 vs. $258).
• More SHU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CCSU students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 63%)

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.