Sacred Heart University vs Fairfield University: which has better ROI?
Fairfield University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $192,380 in 4.8 years versus 6.9 years at Sacred Heart University, on median earnings of $88,794 vs $75,059 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Sacred Heart University | Fairfield University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $46,174 | $48,095 |
| Total net cost | $184,696 | $192,380 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $75,059 | $88,794 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 6.9 yrs | 4.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $349,284 | $616,300 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Sacred Heart University or Fairfield University?
Sacred Heart University, at $46,174 a year after aid versus $48,095 — a gap of $1,921 a year, or $7,684 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Sacred Heart University or Fairfield University graduates earn more?
Fairfield University graduates report a median $88,794 ten years after entry, $13,735 more than the $75,059 at Sacred Heart University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Sacred Heart University or Fairfield University?
Sacred Heart University: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Fairfield University, a difference of $1,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
84% of students finish at Fairfield University, against 73% at Sacred Heart University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.