Cost of Education
Direct Costs
Direct Costs include tuition & fees, housing (if living on campus) and meals.
| Cost of Attendance: 2026-2027 Estimated Direct (Living On Campus) Charges | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (Full-Time Undergraduate) | $54,520 |
| On-Campus Housing (median price) | $13,730 |
| Big Red Meal Plan (required for all first-year residential students) | $6,970 |
| Estimated Direct (Living On Campus) Charges | $75,220 |
| Cost of Attendance: 2026-2027 Estimated Direct (Commuter) Charges | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (Full-Time Undergraduate) | $54,520 |
| Jefferson Meal Plan (required for all commuter students.) | $1,030 |
| Estimated Direct (Commuter) Charges | $55,550 |
Indirect Costs
Indirect costs include: off-campus Living Expenses (Housing & Food); Books and Course Materials; Supplies and Equipment; Transportation; Miscellaneous Personal Expenses; Professional Licensure; Certification; or a First Professional Credential, and Federal Student Loans Fees.
These are not direct charges from the University and may likely vary from student to student. However, in estimating your overall family share, these items should be taken into consideration.
- For off-campus students renting, we estimate $14,300 per year for estimated living expenses for housing and food. For students living with parents, we estimate $3,150 for their housing and food.
- We estimate that the average first-year student will spend $1,200 on books & course material for the academic year. Many students majoring in the sciences or business may find their books to be greater than the average - approximately $1,200 to $1,400 per academic year.
- Sacred Heart University strongly encourages all full-time undergraduate students to purchase a personal laptop that meets University standards. SHU provides approved purchasing options through Connection for select Lenovo models and through the Apple Education Store for Apple devices. Purchases are made directly with the vendor, not through the University. Approximately $1,650 per academic year for supplies & equipment. Laptop Program
- Costs for transportation should also be within your plan. Items like trips to and from home. We recommend you budget for $1,000 (if living on campus) to $1,500 (if living off-campus or living with parents or relatives) per academic year.
- Other miscellaneous personal expenses would include, clothing, haircuts, toiletries, entertainment, etc. tend to vary according to individual needs. Approximately $1,500 per academic year for miscellaneous personal expenses.
- Families borrowing federal student loans should also include estimated loans fees and/or origination fees. Loan fees will vary depending on a student's exact loan amounts. The average student loan fees for an incoming freshman would be estimated at $58 per academic year.
- All students are required by law to have health insurance; students will be billed for the University's health insurance plan but may choose to either enroll in the plan or to waive the charge if their own health insurance meets the qualifications for coverage. The cost of health insurance is $3,252 for the 2026-2027 academic year.
The University offers a payment plan for the final cost of attendance.
If the remaining balance or monthly payment still seems a bit too high, there are other long-term options. Families have the option of financing their share through federal and private educational loan programs. Many families consider educational loan options in addition or in lieu of a University payment plan.
Cost of Education Worksheet
|
Determine your approximate cost below. The following estimated costs are for the full 2026-2027 academic year. |
|
|---|---|
| 2026-2027 Full-Time Undergraduate Tuition and Fees: | $54,520 |
| Charges for On-Campus Housing: Resident Students Only $13,730 (median price) |
$ (if living on campus) |
| Resident Meal Plan: Based on the Big Red plan, which is required for all first-year resident students (on campus). $6,970 |
$ (if living on campus) |
| Commuter Meal Plan: Based on the Jefferson Meal plan, which is required for all commuter students. $1,030 |
$ (if commuting) |
| Total Charges for 2026-2027 Direct charges which the University will bill the student. |
$ |
| Deduct: Financial Assistance scholarships and grants. To determine the total amount you should deduct, add together similar awards on your letter, for example: Trustee Scholarships, Pell Grants, SHU Grant-in-Aid and SEOG. (Do not include work study) | Minus $__________ |
| Deduct: The amount of Direct Loan(s) you intend to borrow. For example, the maximum amount a first-year student can borrow is $5,500 less 1.057% Origination Fees. In other words, $5,441.87 in loan proceeds can be applied to direct charges. | Minus $__________ |
| Deduct: Other payments. For example, a $1,500 deposit is required for all incoming residential students. ($150 is held as a housing damage deposit and $1,350 is applied to the fall semester bill.) | Minus $__________ |
| The estimated amount I have to directly pay for the 2026-2027 Academic Year. | $____________ |
| Payment Plan: With the University's deferred payment plans you can easily budget the remaining cost in 10 monthly payments. A participation fee will be assessed each semester. |
$________/per month (estimated amount to pay the University divided by 10 months) |