SHU vs. University of Puget Sound

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

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Sacred Heart University vs. University of Puget Sound comparison
Sacred Heart University University of Puget Sound College 3 College 4
Sacred Heart University University of Puget Sound
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Overview

SHU University of Puget Sound
Location Fairfield, CT Tacoma, WA
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 10,721 2,023
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #182
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sacredheart.edu pugetsound.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

SHU University of Puget Sound
Tuition (In State) $46,310 $57,330
Tuition (Out of State) $46,310 $57,330
Room & Board $17,520 $14,430
Avg Net Price $45,280 $41,363
Avg Grant Aid $19,484 $32,482
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

SHU University of Puget Sound
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 13,316 5,345
Admitted 8,750 4,418
Acceptance Rate 65.7% 82.7%
Enrolled % 20.3% 9.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.55 3.56
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 27/32
SAT Range 1170/1390
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2024

Academics

SHU University of Puget Sound
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (36%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Social Sciences (21%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • English and Literature (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)

Outcomes

SHU University of Puget Sound
Graduation Rate 68% 73%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $59,700 $57,600
Making Student Loan Payments 76% 84%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $279

Diversity

SHU University of Puget Sound
% Men 35% 40%
% Women 65% 60%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 71% 74%
% Black 4% 1%
% Hispanic 8% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 8%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 12% 2%

Students

SHU University of Puget Sound
% In-State 23% 23%
% Out-of-State 75% 76%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Sacred Heart University is larger than than University of Puget Sound based on total student enrollment (10,721 students vs. 2,023 students)

SHU vs. University of Puget Sound Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SHU or University of Puget Sound?

  • University of Puget Sound is 23.8% more expensive to attend than SHU for in-state tuition ($57,330.00 vs. $46,310.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 23.8% higher at University of Puget Sound than Sacred Heart University ($57,330.00 vs. $46,310.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Puget Sound than SHU ($41,363 vs. $45,280)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Puget Sound are 21.4% lower than costs at Sacred Heart University ($14,430 vs. $17,520)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Puget Sound than Sacred Heart University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Puget Sound students is 66.7% larger than aid received Sacred Heart University ($32,482 vs. $19,484)

SHU vs. University of Puget Sound Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman University of Puget Sound students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at SHU (3.55)
  • University of Puget Sound has a higher acceptance rate (82.7%) than SHU (65.7%)

SHU vs. University of Puget Sound Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SHU or University of Puget Sound? 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 University of Puget Sound and SHU.

  • The graduation rate at University of Puget Sound is higher than Sacred Heart University (73% vs. 68%)
  • Graduates from Sacred Heart University earn on average $2,100 more per year than University of Puget Sound graduates after ten years. ($59,700 vs. $57,600)
  • Sacred Heart University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Puget Sound graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • SHU graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than University of Puget Sound graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More University of Puget Sound graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SHU students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 76%)

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