SHU vs. Fairfield University vs. Siena College

Should I go to Sacred Heart University or Fairfield University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if SHU or Fairfield 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

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Providence Marist College UConn Quinnipiac Loyola University Maryland Bentley Villanova Holy Cross Fordham Elon BC UMass
Sacred Heart University vs. Fairfield University vs. Siena College comparison
Sacred Heart University Fairfield University Siena College College 4
Sacred Heart University Fairfield University Siena College
Remove Remove Remove +Add

Overview

SHU Fairfield University Siena College
Location Fairfield, CT Fairfield, CT Loudonville, NY
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 11,179 6,289 3,623
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #128 #311
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic Roman Catholic Roman Catholic -
Status Non-profit Non-profit Non-profit
Website sacredheart.edu fairfield.edu siena.edu
Team Colors                              

Costs

SHU Fairfield University Siena College
Tuition (In State) $48,160 $55,510 $42,580
Tuition (Out of State) $48,160 $55,510 $42,580
Room & Board $18,450 $17,400 $16,700
Avg Net Price $46,165 $47,630 $32,602
Avg Grant Aid $20,597 $25,877 $29,727
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 95% 98%

Admission

SHU Fairfield University Siena College
Applied 14,284 15,463 8,992
Admitted 9,667 6,956 6,346
Acceptance Rate 67.7% 45% 70.6%
Enrolled % 19.7% 20.6% 12.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.55 3.67 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Very High Difficult
Applicant Competition Low Low Low
ACT Range 29/32 26/29
SAT Range 1240/1380 1093/1360
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2026 Feb 15, 2026

Academics

SHU Fairfield University Siena College
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 12:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (36%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (34%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Business (44%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • English and Literature (8%)

Outcomes

SHU Fairfield University Siena College
Graduation Rate 68% 82% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $59,700 $77,100 $59,800
Making Student Loan Payments 76% 82% 81%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $27,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $279 $279

Diversity

SHU Fairfield University Siena College
% Men 15% 7% 2%
% Women 23% 14% 2%
Racial Diversity Low Low Very Low
HBCU No No No
% White 71% 76% 80%
% Black 4% 2% 4%
% Hispanic 8% 7% 7%
% Native American 0% 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 1% 2%
% International 1% 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 12% 8% 1%

Students

SHU Fairfield University Siena College
% In-State 22% 15% 79%
% Out-of-State 77% 84% 17%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Sacred Heart University is larger than than Fairfield University based on total student enrollment (11,179 students vs. 6,289 students)

SHU vs. Fairfield University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SHU or Fairfield University?

  • Fairfield University is 15.3% more expensive to attend than SHU for in-state tuition ($55,510.00 vs. $48,160.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 15.3% higher at Fairfield University than Sacred Heart University ($55,510.00 vs. $48,160.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Sacred Heart University than Fairfield University ($46,165 vs. $47,630)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fairfield University are 6% lower than costs at Sacred Heart University ($17,400 vs. $18,450)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Sacred Heart University than Fairfield University (99% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fairfield University students is 25.6% larger than aid received Sacred Heart University ($25,877 vs. $20,597)

SHU vs. Fairfield University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Fairfield University students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at SHU (3.55)
  • SHU has a higher acceptance rate (67.7%) than Fairfield University (45%)

SHU vs. Fairfield University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SHU or Fairfield 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 Fairfield University and SHU.

  • The graduation rate at Fairfield University is higher than Sacred Heart University (82% vs. 68%)
  • Graduates from Fairfield University earn on average $17,400 more per year than SHU graduates after ten years. ($77,100 vs. $59,700)
  • Sacred Heart University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Fairfield University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • SHU graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Fairfield University graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SHU students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 76%)

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