Fairfield University vs. Amherst

Fairfield University and Amherst College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Fairfield University
Amherst College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 33.3%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1330.
  • Cheaper after aid: Amherst. Average net price is $19,049 vs $49,958 at Fairfield University.
  • Graduation: Fairfield University 82% vs Amherst 96%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Fairfield University $77,100 vs Amherst $82,000 (median).
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Key differences

Fairfield University Amherst College
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Fairfield University33.3%
Amherst9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Fairfield University1260-1390
Amherst1490-1580
Average net price
Amherst $30,909 less
Fairfield University$49,958
Amherst$19,049
In-state tuition
Fairfield University $12,130 less
Fairfield University$58,350
Amherst$70,480
Out-of-state tuition
Fairfield University $12,130 less
Fairfield University$58,350
Amherst$70,480
Graduation rate
Amherst +14 pts
Fairfield University82%
Amherst96%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$4,900
Fairfield University$77,100
Amherst$82,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Fairfield University 18,509
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Admitted
  • Fairfield University 6,162
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Acceptance rate
  • Fairfield University 33.3%
  • Amherst 9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Fairfield University 23.7%
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Fairfield University 1330
  • Amherst 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Fairfield University 30
  • Amherst 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Fairfield University 3.67
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Typical high school grades
  • Fairfield University A-
  • Amherst A
  • Admissions standards
  • Fairfield University Very High
  • Amherst Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Fairfield University High
  • Amherst Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Fairfield University 1260-1390
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • ACT range
  • Fairfield University 29-32
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Fairfield University Test optional
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Fairfield University $58,350
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Fairfield University $58,350
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Room & board
  • Fairfield University $19,838
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Average net price
  • Fairfield University $49,958
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Average grant aid
  • Fairfield University $26,274
  • Amherst $68,591
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Fairfield University 96%
  • Amherst 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • Fairfield University 82%
  • Amherst 96%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Fairfield University $77,100
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Fairfield University 82%
  • Amherst 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Fairfield University $27,000
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Median loan payment
  • Fairfield University $279
  • Amherst $134
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Fairfield University 12:1
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Fairfield University
    • Business (34%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Location
  • Fairfield University Fairfield, CT
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Setting
  • Fairfield University Large Suburban
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Fairfield University 6,864
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Type
  • Fairfield University Private 4 Year
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Fairfield University #129
  • Amherst #13

Comparable Facts

Compare Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT with Amherst College in Amherst, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Fairfield University is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (6,864 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Fairfield University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Amherst College is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
  • Fairfield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairfield University 12:1; Amherst College 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Amherst College are 7.3% lower than at Fairfield University ($18,390 vs. $19,838).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 20.8% higher at Amherst than at Fairfield University (about $12,130 more per year; $70,480 vs. $58,350).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairfield University than at Amherst College (96% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 161.1% larger than aid received by Fairfield University students ($68,591 vs. $26,274).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Amherst than at Fairfield University (34 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Fairfield University and Amherst.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027; Amherst Jan 2, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.24 higher than at Fairfield University (3.67).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 38.8% at Amherst.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $14,025 lower median loan debt than Fairfield University graduates ($12,975 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fairfield University graduates ($134 vs. $279).
  • More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fairfield University students, three years after graduation (83% vs. 82%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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