Fairfield University vs. Smith College

Should I go to Fairfield University or Smith College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Fairfield University or Smith 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.

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Fairfield University vs. Smith College comparison
Fairfield University Smith College College 3 College 4
Fairfield University Smith College
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Overview

Fairfield University Smith College
Location Fairfield, CT Northampton, MA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 6,019 2,873
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #138 #68
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fairfield.edu smith.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Fairfield University Smith College
Tuition (In State) $53,630 $58,480
Tuition (Out of State) $53,630 $58,480
Room & Board $16,750 $20,340
Avg Net Price $46,065 $30,790
Avg Grant Aid $25,279 $49,109
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 64%

Admission

Fairfield University Smith College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 13,359 7,269
Admitted 6,971 1,662
Acceptance Rate 52.2% 22.9%
Enrolled % 19.1% 37.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.67 4.0
Typical High School Grades B+ A/A+
Admissions Standards Very High Exceptional
Applicant Competition Low Very High
ACT Range 28/31 31/34
SAT Range 1240/1370 1370/1520
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 Smith College
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 8:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Social Sciences (22%)
  • Foreign Languages (12%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Ethnic Studies (9%)

Outcomes

Fairfield University Smith College
Graduation Rate 82% 85%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $77,100 $48,900
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $19,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $196

Diversity

Fairfield University Smith College
% Men 41% 2%
% Women 59% 98%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 76% 45%
% Black 2% 5%
% Hispanic 7% 10%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 5%
% International 2% 14%
% Unknown Race 8% 8%

Students

Fairfield University Smith College
% In-State 15% 11%
% Out-of-State 84% 76%

Campus

Fairfield University Smith 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 Smith College based on total student enrollment (6,019 students vs. 2,873 students)

Fairfield University vs. Smith College Cost Comparison

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

  • Smith College is 9% more expensive to attend than Fairfield University for in-state tuition ($58,480.00 vs. $53,630.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 9% higher at Smith College than Fairfield University ($58,480.00 vs. $53,630.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Smith College than Fairfield University ($30,790 vs. $46,065)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fairfield University are 21.4% lower than costs at Smith College ($16,750 vs. $20,340)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Fairfield University than Smith College (94% vs. 64%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Smith College students is 94.3% larger than aid received Fairfield University ($49,109 vs. $25,279)

Fairfield University vs. Smith College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Smith College students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Fairfield University (3.67)
  • Fairfield University has a higher acceptance rate (52.2%) than Smith College (22.9%)

Fairfield University vs. Smith College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Fairfield University or Smith 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 Smith College and Fairfield University.

  • The graduation rate at Smith College is higher than Fairfield University (85% vs. 82%)
  • Graduates from Fairfield University earn on average $28,200 more per year than Smith College graduates after ten years. ($77,100 vs. $48,900)
  • Smith College students graduate with a $8,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Fairfield University graduates. ($19,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Smith College graduates are paying $83 less per month on federal student loans than Fairfield University graduates. ($196 vs. $279)
  • More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Smith College students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 80%)

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