Fairfield University vs. Lafayette College

Should I go to Fairfield University or Lafayette College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Fairfield University or Lafayette College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Lehigh Bucknell SHU Villanova Providence Marist College Fordham Union College Skidmore College Colgate University of Richmond UConn
Fairfield University vs. Lafayette College comparison
Fairfield University Lafayette College College 3 College 4
Fairfield University Lafayette College
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Fairfield University Lafayette College
Location Fairfield, CT Easton, PA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 6,019 2,729
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #138 #65
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fairfield.edu lafayette.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Fairfield University Lafayette College
Tuition (In State) $53,630 $58,110
Tuition (Out of State) $53,630 $58,110
Room & Board $16,750 $17,336
Avg Net Price $46,065 $37,186
Avg Grant Aid $25,279 $24,981
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 98%

Admission

Fairfield University Lafayette College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 13,359 10,500
Admitted 6,971 3,531
Acceptance Rate 52.2% 33.6%
Enrolled % 19.1% 21.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.67 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very High Exceptional
Applicant Competition Low High
ACT Range 28/31 30/33
SAT Range 1240/1370 1330/1480
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2024 Jan 15, 2024

Academics

Fairfield University Lafayette College
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Social Sciences (33%)
  • Engineering (19%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • English and Literature (8%)

Outcomes

Fairfield University Lafayette College
Graduation Rate 82% 88%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $77,100 $81,000
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 91%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $268

Diversity

Fairfield University Lafayette College
% Men 41% 50%
% Women 59% 50%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 76% 67%
% Black 2% 5%
% Hispanic 7% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 2%
% International 2% 9%
% Unknown Race 8% 7%

Students

Fairfield University Lafayette College
% In-State 15% 16%
% Out-of-State 84% 76%

Campus

Fairfield University Lafayette College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Fairfield University is larger than than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (6,019 students vs. 2,729 students)

Fairfield University vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or Lafayette College?

  • Lafayette College is 8.4% more expensive to attend than Fairfield University for in-state tuition ($58,110.00 vs. $53,630.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 8.4% higher at Lafayette College than Fairfield University ($58,110.00 vs. $53,630.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Lafayette College than Fairfield University ($37,186 vs. $46,065)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fairfield University are 3.5% lower than costs at Lafayette College ($16,750 vs. $17,336)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Lafayette College than Fairfield University (98% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fairfield University students is 1.2% larger than aid received Lafayette College ($25,279 vs. $24,981)

Fairfield University vs. Lafayette College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fairfield University or Lafayette College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Lafayette College or Fairfield University .

  • Accepted freshman Fairfield University students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Lafayette College (3.53)
  • Fairfield University has a higher acceptance rate (52.2%) than Lafayette College (33.6%)

Fairfield University vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Fairfield University or Lafayette College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Lafayette College and Fairfield University.

  • The graduation rate at Lafayette College is higher than Fairfield University (88% vs. 82%)
  • Graduates from Lafayette College earn on average $3,900 more per year than Fairfield University graduates after ten years. ($81,000 vs. $77,100)
  • Lafayette College students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Fairfield University graduates. ($26,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Lafayette College graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Fairfield University graduates. ($268 vs. $279)
  • More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fairfield University students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 82%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/