Fairfield University vs. Colby-Sawyer

Comparable Facts

Compare Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT with Colby Sawyer College in New London, NH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fairfield University is larger than Colby-Sawyer based on total student enrollment (6,864 students vs. 972 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fairfield University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Colby Sawyer College is in New London, NH (Distant Rural setting).
• Fairfield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Colby Sawyer College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairfield University 12:1; Colby Sawyer College 10:1.

Fairfield University vs. Colby-Sawyer Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or Colby-Sawyer? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Colby Sawyer College than Fairfield University ($27,496 vs. $49,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby Sawyer College are 12.5% lower than at Fairfield University ($17,364 vs. $19,838).
• Fairfield University is 205.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colby-Sawyer (about $39,225 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $19,125.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 205.1% higher at Fairfield University than at Colby Sawyer College (about $39,225 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $19,125.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colby Sawyer College than at Fairfield University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fairfield University students is 136.7% larger than aid received by Colby Sawyer College students ($26,274 vs. $11,098).

Fairfield University vs. Colby-Sawyer Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fairfield University or Colby-Sawyer? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Colby-Sawyer and Fairfield University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 1260/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairfield University - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Colby-Sawyer - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027.
• Colby-Sawyer has a higher acceptance rate (80.1%) than Fairfield University (33.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 13% at Colby-Sawyer.

Fairfield University vs. Colby-Sawyer Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fairfield University and Colby-Sawyer? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Fairfield University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Colby Sawyer College's (54%).
• Graduates from Fairfield University earn a median of about $32,200 more per year than Colby-Sawyer graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,100 vs. $44,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby Sawyer College and Fairfield University graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Colby Sawyer College and Fairfield University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colby-Sawyer students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 77%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.