Sacred Heart University logo

Sacred Heart University

Fairfield, CT

private nonprofitgraduate

Quick Facts

Inspiring Minds, Unleashing Hearts

1963
Founded
Private university
Type
6,524
Undergrad
4,206
Graduate
$357M
Endowment
(2025)
Doctoral/Professional Universities
Classification
President: John J. Petillo

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Sacred Heart University

Sacred Heart: Rapidly growing private university fostering minds and community spirit.

Sacred Heart University, a vibrant private institution founded in 1963, stands as a beacon of academic excellence and community spirit. Guided by its motto, "Inspiring Minds, Unleashing Hearts," Sacred Heart has experienced remarkable growth from its initial class of 173 students to a thriving community of over 10,500 undergraduates and graduates today. Uniquely led by the laity, it embodies a forward-thinking, locally oriented approach to higher education.

Prospective students will find a dynamic academic environment anchored by prominent schools such as the Jack Welch College of Business and the School of Communication & Media Arts, both housed in the impressive Frank and Marisa Martire Center for Business & Communications. The university's commitment to student success is further demonstrated through the comprehensive Student Success Center, offering vital educational support, and the state-of-the-art Center for Healthcare Education.

Life at Sacred Heart is defined by a rich student experience, with 50 percent of full-time undergraduates enjoying modern university housing across ten residential buildings. The campus boasts cutting-edge facilities like the Linda E. McMahon Student Commons, featuring dining, lounge spaces, and a bookstore, and the William H. Pitt Health and Recreation Center. With 32 varsity teams competing in NCAA Division I, a strong athletic spirit thrives. Recent years have seen significant investment in campus infrastructure, including a new Health and Wellness Center, the acquisition of the former GE corporate headquarters, and the completion of a modern hockey arena in early 2023, enhancing an already robust learning and living environment. Notably, Sacred Heart was even recognized by Princeton Review for having some of the "Happiest Students."

Key Highlights

  • Founded in 1963 as a private university, uniquely led by the laity, with a $0.4 billion endowment.
  • Rapid growth to over 10,500 full and part-time undergraduate and graduate students.
  • Home to 32 NCAA Division I varsity athletic teams.
  • 50% of full-time undergraduates reside in one of 10 modern residential buildings.
  • Features prominent academic centers, including the Jack Welch College of Business and the Center for Healthcare Education.
  • Ranked by Princeton Review as one of the schools with the "Happiest Students."
  • Completed a state-of-the-art hockey arena in January 2023, adding to significant campus expansion.

Timeline

1963
Founded by Walter W. Curtis, Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport
1981
Then-U.S. Vice President George H. W. Bush received an honorary degree
1990
Built its first dorms, beginning residential student acceptance
1997
The William H. Pitt Health and Recreation Center opened
2006
Jack Welch College of Business was named after a financial gift
2012
Linda E. McMahon Student Commons opened after a $5 million donation
2015
Opened the Frank and Marisa Martire Center for Business & Communications
2018
Merged with St. Vincent's College, becoming St. Vincent's College at Sacred Heart University
2019
Ranked on Princeton Review's list of 'Happiest Students'
2023
Completed construction of a new state-of-the-art hockey rink
🏛️
63 Years
of Excellence

Schools & Colleges

3 notable schools within Sacred Heart University

💼

Jack Welch College of Business

Named after former GE CEO Jack Welch, this college offers robust business programs and is housed in the state-of-the-art Frank and Marisa Martire Center.

🎭

School of Communication & Media Arts

Located within the Frank and Marisa Martire Center, offering programs in communication and media arts.

🏫

St. Vincent's College at Sacred Heart University

Formed in 2018 after a merger, this college provides specialized programs as part of the larger university.

Leadership

John J. Petillo
President

Data from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Find Scholarships at Sacred Heart University

Sign up free to discover grants and scholarships you qualify for at this school and thousands more.

Start Your Free Search