Fairfield University vs. Colgate

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

Hamilton College SHU Lehigh Vassar Villanova Cornell BC Colby College Providence Middlebury Bucknell University of Richmond
Fairfield University vs. Colgate University comparison
Fairfield University Colgate University College 3 College 4
Fairfield University Colgate University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Fairfield University Colgate
Location Fairfield, CT Hamilton, NY
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 6,019 3,141
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #138 #27
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fairfield.edu colgate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Fairfield University Colgate
Tuition (In State) $53,630 $63,904
Tuition (Out of State) $53,630 $63,904
Room & Board $16,750 $16,106
Avg Net Price $46,065 $27,074
Avg Grant Aid $25,279 $54,647
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 41%

Admission

Fairfield University Colgate
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 13,359 21,109
Admitted 6,971 2,624
Acceptance Rate 52.2% 12.4%
Enrolled % 19.1% 30.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.67 3.77
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Very High Exceptional
Applicant Competition Low Very High
ACT Range 28/31 32/34
SAT Range 1240/1370 1410/1530
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 Colgate
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Social Sciences (33%)
  • English and Literature (11%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)

Outcomes

Fairfield University Colgate
Graduation Rate 82% 92%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $77,100 $75,300
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 86%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $16,125
Median Loan Payment $279 $166

Diversity

Fairfield University Colgate
% Men 41% 44%
% Women 59% 56%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 76% 67%
% Black 2% 4%
% Hispanic 7% 9%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 2% 9%
% Unknown Race 8% 4%

Students

Fairfield University Colgate
% In-State 15% 19%
% Out-of-State 84% 71%

Campus

Fairfield University Colgate
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 Colgate based on total student enrollment (6,019 students vs. 3,141 students)

Fairfield University vs. Colgate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or Colgate?

  • Colgate University is 19.2% more expensive to attend than Fairfield University for in-state tuition ($63,904.00 vs. $53,630.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 19.2% higher at Colgate than Fairfield University ($63,904.00 vs. $53,630.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Colgate University than Fairfield University ($27,074 vs. $46,065)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 4% lower than costs at Fairfield University ($16,106 vs. $16,750)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Fairfield University than Colgate University (94% vs. 41%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 116.2% larger than aid received Fairfield University ($54,647 vs. $25,279)

Fairfield University vs. Colgate Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Colgate students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Fairfield University (3.67)
  • Fairfield University has a higher acceptance rate (52.2%) than Colgate (12.4%)

Fairfield University vs. Colgate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Fairfield University or Colgate? 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 Colgate and Fairfield University.

  • The graduation rate at Colgate is higher than Fairfield University (92% vs. 82%)
  • Graduates from Fairfield University earn on average $1,800 more per year than Colgate graduates after ten years. ($77,100 vs. $75,300)
  • Colgate University students graduate with a $10,875 lower median federal student loan debt than Fairfield University graduates. ($16,125 vs. $27,000)
  • Colgate graduates are paying $113 less per month on federal student loans 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/