
Santurce, PRprivate nonprofitwww.sagrado.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 37%–62% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Universidad del Sagrado Corazón is a private, urban university in Santurce, Puerto Rico, that operates with a distinctively open and community-focused ethos. It's a place where a majority-female student body pursues over 50 majors in a supportive environment that emphasizes hands-on learning and a strong sense of belonging. While its graduation and post-graduate earnings metrics reflect the economic challenges of its regional context, Sagrado provides an accessible, relatively affordable pathway to a degree for thousands of Puerto Rican students.
Test-blind — scores not considered
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
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Outcomes & value
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023).
Sagrado's admissions process is accessible and moderately selective, with an that typically hovers around 58%. The university received between 3,073 and 3,638 applications for a recent cycle, admitting a large portion to enroll a first-year class of nearly 1,000 students. Notably, the university accepts the Common Application, streamlining the process for applicants. While some sources list an SAT range, others explicitly state that "the SAT and ACT score is not considered for admission," suggesting a or test-blind policy. The rate—the percentage of admitted students who enroll—has been reported at figures as varied as 38% and 61.1%, indicating a competitive landscape where many admitted students have other options. The undergraduate student body is predominantly female, with a gender distribution of 65.5% female and 34.5% male students.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
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Sagrado offers a comprehensive undergraduate education through over 57 majors and concentrations. The academic structure is built around major concentrations typically comprising 27 credits. The university's Business School is a notable component, offering degrees like the Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Analysis. The learning environment is characterized by a student-faculty ratio of 21:1 or 23:1, with a majority (63.4%) of classes having fewer than 20 students, allowing for more personalized instruction.
What truly distinguishes Sagrado's academic philosophy is its institutional commitment to experiential learning. The university "incorporates undergraduate research experiences and service learning in most academic programs" and proudly notes it is "the only Puerto Rican university" featured by the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) for such practices. This hands-on approach is designed to provide comprehensive training and career preparation rooted in the Puerto Rican context.
Life at Sagrado is defined by an intentional focus on community and belonging. The university actively designs extracurricular activities to foster this sense of connection, supported by a network of faculty and staff dedicated to guiding students. With a total undergraduate enrollment of 4,494 (as of fall 2024), the campus is active and populated, set in an urban Santurce environment. Most students are commuters, but for those who live on campus, housing costs an average of $9,200 per year. The student-run news platform, inSagrado, covers campus events and highlights, serving as a hub for what's happening and "what distinguishes us." This emphasis on a supportive, integrated community is a recurring theme in the university's self-description, aimed at making students feel connected from their freshman year onward.
Student outcomes at Sagrado reflect both the university's role as a vital access point and the broader economic realities of Puerto Rico. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Post-graduation earnings are modest compared to U.S. national medians; graduates report a median salary of $27,544 six years after enrollment (roughly 37% below the national median). The figure improves over time, with a median of $31,754 reported ten years after entry. These earnings metrics must be contextualized within the local economy. The university's student loan default rate is 15.6%, a figure that underscores the financial challenges some graduates face in the early stages of their careers.
Sagrado is a relatively affordable private university, especially after financial aid is applied. The sticker price (total ) is approximately $19,728 per year. However, the average —what students actually pay after grants and scholarships—is significantly lower. Sources report varying net prices between $3,495, $12,796, and $13,076; the canonical figure from the College Scorecard is $12,924. This reduction is achieved through substantial aid packages, which average $7,029 and frequently include institutional grants.
Financial aid is primarily driven by federal programs. A high percentage (83%) of students receive federal grants, averaging $6,534. State/local and institutional grants are also common. Loans remain part of the aid landscape for many students; the university offers non-subsidized loans to undergraduates who may not have to demonstrate financial need to qualify. There is no indication in the provided sources that Sagrado has a "no-loan" policy or commits to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need without loans. The process begins with the FAFSA, and aid eligibility can vary significantly by family income.
Universidad del Sagrado Corazón stands out for its deeply rooted, community-first mission within Puerto Rico. It's not trying to be an ultra-selective research powerhouse; instead, it succeeds as an open, supportive, and practical institution. Its singular claim to academic distinction is its formal, university-wide embedding of undergraduate research and service learning across most programs—a practice it notes is unique among Puerto Rican universities. This creates an educational experience that is hands-on and connected to the island's needs from day one.
The vibe is one of comunidad (community). From its promotional materials to its student life programming, the university relentlessly focuses on fostering a sense of belonging, support, and guidance. This, combined with a admissions policy and a that makes a private degree attainable for many, positions Sagrado as a crucial engine of opportunity. It serves a student body that is overwhelmingly local and predominantly female, providing them with a direct pathway to a degree and a professional network in Puerto Rico. Its identity is inextricably linked to its place: it is of Puerto Rico, for Puerto Rico.