YOUR RETURN ON A SACRED HEART EDUCATION
With the cost of college on the rise, investing in a college education can be daunting for many students and their families. In assessing any college, particularly in today's challenging economy, the question must be asked: Will this college give back a return on investment?
Fortunately, for those who choose Sacred Heart University, the answer is a resounding "yes."
Return On Quality
Sacred Heart has long been recognized as one the nation's leading universities. SHU is ranked among The Princeton Review’s “Best 371 Colleges” and “Best 301 Business Schools” with a top-tier ranking in U.S. News & World Report for the past seven years. The prestigious Lilly Foundation recently agreed to sponsor a national forum for other colleges to learn of SHU’s award-winning Core Curriculum, The Human Journey, and how it might be imitated elsewhere. And the University has hosted international gatherings dedicated to exploring themes related to the Catholic intellectual tradition and global justice issues of Notre Dame.
Return On Location
In any college investment, location can hold tremendous value. SHU is located in Fairfield, Connecticut, which ranks among the top places to live in the Northeast and #7 in the country in a CNN/Money list of "Best Places to Live: Top-Earning Towns." Fairfield is 90 minutes from Manhattan and 150 minutes from Boston. Nearby Fortune 500 headquarters offer our students a plethora of professional opportunities – including internships, co-ops, jobs, research, collaborative projects, and more. In addition to partnerships with leading academic centers worldwide, the University also hosts two unique campus experiences: in Luxembourg, where graduates from 30 countries have studied business, and in the Irish-speaking community of Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland.
Return On Relationships
A commitment to personal attention has long distinguished an SHU education. A student faculty ratio of 13 to 1, average class size under 22 students, and a nationally recognized freshman academic advising program are just some of the ways our faculty and staff personally connect with students and foster their success. Also, SHU’s innovative Major in Success career coaching program is designed to help freshmen and sophomores learn more about themselves assist them with major decisions and explore compatible career options.
Return On Academic Excellence
 |
Employers and graduate schools appreciate the value and rigor of a Sacred Heart education, and it's not hard to see why. More than 75% of SHU's 210 full-time faculty members hold the highest degrees in their discipline, and many are widely respected practitioners in their field. Our John F. Welch College of Business – named for the legendary former chairman and CEO of General Electric – is accredited by AACSB International, a designation achieved by less than 5% of business schools worldwide. Several of our University's health sciences programs have earned a national ranking. And our Core Curriculum has been recognized by the American Association of Colleges & Universities (AAC&U) as a national leader in high-quality undergraduate curricula. SHU is the state’s leading independent educator of teachers and administrators, and its two doctoral programs – in Physical Therapy and in Nursing Practice – are earning top grades from accreditors and students alike. Academic programs continue to grow, to meet the needs of a fast-changing economy, with such additions coming on line as a Master’s in Communication and one in Environmental Systems and Management.
Return On Experience
Just as valuable as the quality instruction at SHU is our University's emphasis on active, real-world learning – through internships, service learning, volunteer programs, work-study, study abroad, and more. Nearly two-thirds of SHU students complete at least one internship prior to graduating, with many completing three or more internships throughout their undergraduate careers. An award-winning roster of community volunteer opportunities allows students to complement their classroom learning with service in the community – from nearby cities to places as distant as the Gulf Coast and Central America.
Return On Leadership
Another valuable experience at SHU is leadership. We challenge our students to step up, take risks, to be out front leading and encouraging others. To develop these critical leadership skills, our students participate in a wide range of leadership programs on campus, taking on elected positions in our 80+ clubs and organizations, leading campus activities and events, directing community projects, competing athletically, and more.
Return On Values
Sacred Heart was founded in the Catholic intellectual tradition, characterized by rigorous coursework and a commitment to spiritual and ethical values. These principles and beliefs are lived out each day at SHU – from the mutual respect shared across our community, to our commitment to serving others, to the character displayed by our 31 Division I athletic teams, which have won the Commissioner’s Cup three years running as the best program in the Northeast Conference.
Return On Success
Even in a challenging economy, SHU students are highly successful upon graduation, with 96% securing jobs and/or graduate education. As many as 45% of our graduates continue directly on to graduate school to receive their master’s or doctorate degrees. Our four-year graduation rate exceeds the national average for all institutions, public and private.
Return On Investment
Does a Sacred Heart education come with a price? Sure it does. But with all that it offers, it is surely money well spent. A SHU education is an investment, perhaps the most important investment you'll ever make, but it is one that will pay great dividends and bring you a lifetime of returns.