Fairfield University vs. Colgate

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

Fairfield University
Colgate University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colgate (13.9% admitted vs 33.3%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1330.
  • Cheaper after aid: Colgate. Average net price is $28,736 vs $49,958 at Fairfield University.
  • Graduation: Fairfield University 82% vs Colgate 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Fairfield University $77,100 vs Colgate $75,300 (median).
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Key differences

Fairfield University Colgate University
Acceptance rate
Colgate more selective
Fairfield University33.3%
Colgate13.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Colgate higher
Fairfield University1260-1390
Colgate1430-1540
Average net price
Colgate $21,222 less
Fairfield University$49,958
Colgate$28,736
In-state tuition
Fairfield University $11,956 less
Fairfield University$58,350
Colgate$70,306
Out-of-state tuition
Fairfield University $11,956 less
Fairfield University$58,350
Colgate$70,306
Graduation rate
Colgate +10 pts
Fairfield University82%
Colgate92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Fairfield University +$1,800
Fairfield University$77,100
Colgate$75,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Fairfield University 18,509
  • Colgate 20,682
  • Admitted
  • Fairfield University 6,162
  • Colgate 2,871
  • Acceptance rate
  • Fairfield University 33.3%
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Fairfield University 23.7%
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Fairfield University 1330
  • Colgate 1490
  • Typical ACT score
  • Fairfield University 30
  • Colgate 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Fairfield University 3.67
  • Colgate 3.77
  • Typical high school grades
  • Fairfield University A-
  • Colgate A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Fairfield University Very High
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Fairfield University High
  • Colgate Very High
  • SAT range
  • Fairfield University 1260-1390
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • ACT range
  • Fairfield University 29-32
  • Colgate 33-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Fairfield University Test optional
  • Colgate Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Fairfield University $58,350
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Fairfield University $58,350
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Room & board
  • Fairfield University $19,838
  • Colgate $17,610
  • Average net price
  • Fairfield University $49,958
  • Colgate $28,736
  • Average grant aid
  • Fairfield University $26,274
  • Colgate $58,334
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Fairfield University 96%
  • Colgate 43%
  • Graduation rate
  • Fairfield University 82%
  • Colgate 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Fairfield University $77,100
  • Colgate $75,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Fairfield University 82%
  • Colgate 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Fairfield University $27,000
  • Colgate $16,125
  • Median loan payment
  • Fairfield University $279
  • Colgate $166
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Fairfield University 12:1
  • Colgate 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Fairfield University
    • Business (34%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • Location
  • Fairfield University Fairfield, CT
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • Setting
  • Fairfield University Large Suburban
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Fairfield University 6,864
  • Colgate 3,211
  • Type
  • Fairfield University Private 4 Year
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Fairfield University #129
  • Colgate #30

Comparable Facts

Compare Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT with Colgate University in Hamilton, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Fairfield University is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (6,864 students vs. 3,211 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Fairfield University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Colgate University is in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting).
  • Fairfield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairfield University 12:1; Colgate University 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 11.2% lower than at Fairfield University ($17,610 vs. $19,838).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 20.5% higher at Colgate than at Fairfield University (about $11,956 more per year; $70,306 vs. $58,350).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairfield University than at Colgate University (96% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 122% larger than aid received by Fairfield University students ($58,334 vs. $26,274).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Colgate than at Fairfield University (33 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Fairfield University and Colgate.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027; Colgate Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Colgate average a 3.77 high school GPA, 0.1 higher than at Fairfield University (3.67).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 28.7% at Colgate.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $10,875 lower median loan debt than Fairfield University graduates ($16,125 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $113 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fairfield University graduates ($166 vs. $279).
  • More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fairfield University students, three years after graduation (86% 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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