# Sacred Heart University

> private Roman Catholic university located in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States

**Wikidata**: [Q1276963](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1276963)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_Heart_University)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sacred-heart-university

## Summary
Sacred Heart University is a private Roman Catholic university located in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1963, it is a higher education institution classified as a master's college with larger programs. The university serves over 9,000 students and maintains an endowment of approximately $238 million as of 2022.

## Key Facts
- **Location:** 5151 Park Ave, Fairfield, Connecticut, United States (Postal Code: 06825-1000).
- **Founded:** 1963.
- **Affiliation:** Roman Catholic (Catholic Church); member of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities.
- **Classification:** Private not-for-profit educational institution; "Master's colleges and universities: larger programs" (Carnegie Classification).
- **Enrollment:** 9,313 students (as of September 2020); 8,229 full-time equivalent students (as of September 2021).
- **Employees:** 1,583 (as of September 2020).
- **Endowment:** $238,688,554 USD (as of June 30, 2022).
- **Admissions:** Acceptance rate of 66% (0.66) with an admission yield rate of 21% (0.21) as of 2020.
- **Athletics:** Sacred Heart Pioneers.
- **Academic Calendar:** Semester system.

## FAQs
### Q: Where is Sacred Heart University located?
A: The university is located at 5151 Park Avenue in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States.

### Q: Is Sacred Heart University a religious institution?
A: Yes, it is a private Roman Catholic university affiliated with the Catholic Church and a member of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities.

### Q: How large is the student body?
A: As of September 2020, the university had a total student population of 9,313.

### Q: What is the financial standing of the university?
A: As of June 30, 2022, the university's endowment was valued at $238,688,554, and its total assets were reported as $899,337,453 as of June 30, 2020.

## Why It Matters
Sacred Heart University represents a significant institution within the landscape of American Catholic higher education. Established in the mid-20th century, it has grown into a substantial educational entity with over 9,000 students and a workforce of over 1,500 employees. Its classification as a "master's college and university" with larger programs indicates a significant focus on graduate education and professional studies, distinguishing it from primarily undergraduate liberal arts colleges.

Financially, the university plays a notable role in the regional economy of Fairfield, Connecticut, managing nearly $900 million in total assets and maintaining a robust endowment that surpassed $238 million in 2022. Its membership in organizations such as the Association of American Colleges and Universities and the American Council on Education highlights its active participation in broader academic policy and development. By offering a highly residential, four-year educational experience rooted in Christian teachings, it provides a specific niche for students seeking a faith-based education in the Northeastern United States.

## Notable For
- **Catholic Identity:** Being a prominent private Roman Catholic university in Fairfield, Connecticut.
- **Carnegie Classification:** Recognition as a "Master's College and University" with larger programs and "Selective" admissions with a lower transfer-in rate.
- **Financial Growth:** An endowment that grew from approximately $189 million in 2020 to over $238 million by 2022.
- **Athletics:** Hosting the "Sacred Heart Pioneers" athletics program.
- **Founding Leadership:** Having William H. Conley serve as rector starting at its inception in 1963.

## Body

### History and Governance
Sacred Heart University was established in 1963. Its founding leadership included William H. Conley, who served as rector starting in that year. The institution operates as a private not-for-profit educational institution and identifies as a Christian school. It is formally affiliated with the Catholic Church and holds membership in the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities.

### Location and Campus
The university's headquarters and main campus are situated in Fairfield, Connecticut. The specific street address is 5151 Park Ave, Fairfield, CT, 06825-1000. Geographically, the campus is located at coordinates 41.2214° N, 73.2419° W. The location is classified as a census-designated place with a population record of 1,446 during the 2020 United States Census (note: this population figure likely refers to a specific census tract or on-campus housing count rather than the town of Fairfield itself).

### Academics and Students
The university functions within the higher education industry, adhering to a semester-based academic calendar. According to Carnegie Classifications, it is categorized as a "four-year, medium, highly residential" institution with "selective" admissions and a "lower transfer-in" rate. The academic focus is described as "professions plus arts & sciences, some graduate coexistence."

Student enrollment has remained robust, with a headcount of 9,313 recorded in September 2020. The full-time equivalent (FTE) student count was 8,229 as of September 2021. Admission statistics from 2020 indicate an admission rate of 0.66 (66%) and a yield rate of 0.21 (21%).

### Financials
The institution maintains significant financial resources. Its endowment market value has fluctuated over recent years:
- **2020:** $189,836,570 (June 30)
- **2021:** $245,516,767 (June 30)
- **2022:** $238,688,554 (June 30)

Additionally, the university's total assets were reported at $899,337,453 as of June 30, 2020.

### Institutional Identifiers and Memberships
Sacred Heart University is recognized by multiple global identifiers:
- **GRID ID:** grid.262900.f
- **ISNI:** 0000000106265147
- **ROR ID:** 0085j8z36
- **IPEDS ID:** 130253

It holds memberships in the Association of American Colleges and Universities, the American Council on Education, and the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition.

### Digital Presence and Athletics
The university operates a primary website at `sacredheart.edu`. It maintains verified social media profiles on platforms including Twitter (`@sacredheartuniv`), Instagram (`sacredheartuniversity`), Facebook, TikTok, and Threads. The university's YouTube channel, started in 2009, has accumulated over 400,000 views. The athletic teams are known as the Sacred Heart Pioneers.

## References

1. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
2. System for Award Management
3. GRID Release 2017-01-10
4. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20240120073011/https://secure.aacu.org/iMIS/AACUR/Membership/MemberListAACU.aspx)
5. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20240120080233/https://acememberdirectory.azurewebsites.net/)
6. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20231015070603/https://sparcopen.org/who-we-are/members/)
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Dr. William H. Conley, 67, Of Sacred Heart University
9. [Source](https://digitalcommons.sacredheart.edu/univpub_obelisk/87/)
10. [2020 United States Census](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?t=Populations%20and%20People&g=0100000US,%241600000&y=2020)
11. [2016–2020 American Community Survey](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?d=ACS%205-Year%20Estimates%20Detailed%20Tables)
12. GeoNames
13. Google Knowledge Graph
14. [U.S. and Canadian 2022 NTSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2022 Endowment Market Value, Change in Market Value from FY21 to FY22, and FY22 Endowment Market Values Per Full-time Equivalent Student (Excel). National Association of College and University Business Officers. 2023](https://www.nacubo.org/Research/2022/Public-NTSE-Tables)
15. GRID Release 2015-12-14
16. GRID Release 2016-12-06
17. Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education
18. Quora
19. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
20. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
21. [U.S. and Canadian 2022 NTSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2022 Endowment Market Value, Change in Market Value from FY21 to FY22, and FY22 Endowment Market Values Per Full-time Equivalent Student (Excel). 2023](https://www.nacubo.org/Research/2022/Public-NTSE-Tables)
22. [Source](https://www.sacredheart.edu/)
23. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
24. YouTube API
25. National Center for Education Statistics
26. [2016–2020 American Community Survey](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?t=Income%20and%20Poverty&g=0100000US,%241600000&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S1902)
27. [Internet Domains Wikibase](https://domains.wikibase.cloud/entity/Q120973)