Fairfield University vs. City College of New York

Deciding between Fairfield University and CUNY City College? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Fairfield University
CUNY City College

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • Fairfield University Fairfield, CT
  • City College of New York New York, NY
  • Setting
  • Fairfield University Large Suburban
  • City College of New York Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Fairfield University 6,864
  • City College of New York 15,544
  • Type
  • Fairfield University Private 4 Year
  • City College of New York Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Fairfield University #129
  • City College of New York #313
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Fairfield University Roman Catholic
  • City College of New York -
  • Status
  • Fairfield University Non-profit
  • City College of New York Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Fairfield University
  • City College of New York

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Fairfield University $58,350
  • City College of New York $7,340
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Fairfield University $58,350
  • City College of New York $15,290
  • Room & Board
  • Fairfield University $19,838
  • City College of New York $18,840
  • Average Net Price
  • Fairfield University $49,958
  • City College of New York $4,664
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Fairfield University $26,274
  • City College of New York $9,763
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Fairfield University 96%
  • City College of New York 88%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Fairfield University 18,509
  • City College of New York 34,322
  • Admitted
  • Fairfield University 6,162
  • City College of New York 20,600
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Fairfield University 33.3%
  • City College of New York 60%
  • Enrolled
  • Fairfield University 23.7%
  • City College of New York 12.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Fairfield University 1330
  • City College of New York 1250
  • Typical ACT score
  • Fairfield University 30
  • City College of New York
  • Average High School GPA
  • Fairfield University 3.67
  • City College of New York 3.2
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Fairfield University A-
  • City College of New York B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Fairfield University Very High
  • City College of New York Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • Fairfield University High
  • City College of New York Low
  • ACT Range
  • Fairfield University 29/32
  • City College of New York
  • SAT Range
  • Fairfield University 1260/1390
  • City College of New York 1070/1430
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Fairfield University Test optional
  • City College of New York Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027
  • City College of New York Feb 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Fairfield University 12:1
  • City College of New York 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Fairfield University
    • Business (34%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • City College of New York
    • Psychology (15%)
    • Engineering (13%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Fairfield University 82%
  • City College of New York 40%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Fairfield University $77,100
  • City College of New York $49,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Fairfield University 82%
  • City College of New York 52%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Fairfield University $27,000
  • City College of New York $11,400
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Fairfield University $279
  • City College of New York $117

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Fairfield University 40%
  • City College of New York 47%
  • % Women
  • Fairfield University 60%
  • City College of New York 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Fairfield University Very Low
  • City College of New York Very High
  • HBCU
  • Fairfield University No
  • City College of New York No
  • % White
  • Fairfield University 76%
  • City College of New York 15%
  • % Asian
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • City College of New York 25%
  • % Black
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • City College of New York 16%
  • % Hispanic
  • Fairfield University 7%
  • City College of New York 35%
  • % Native American
  • Fairfield University 0%
  • City College of New York 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Fairfield University 0%
  • City College of New York 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Fairfield University 1%
  • City College of New York 2%
  • % International
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • City College of New York 6%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Fairfield University 8%
  • City College of New York 0%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Fairfield University 13%
  • City College of New York 83%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Fairfield University 86%
  • City College of New York 0%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Fairfield University Yes
  • City College of New York Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Fairfield University No
  • City College of New York No
  • Meal Plan
  • Fairfield University Yes
  • City College of New York No
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Fairfield University Yes
  • City College of New York No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Fairfield University Yes
  • City College of New York Yes
  • Learn More
  • Fairfield University Details
  • City College of New York Details

Comparable Facts

Compare Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT with CUNY City College in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

CUNY City College is larger than Fairfield University based on total student enrollment (15,544 students vs. 6,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Fairfield University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); CUNY City College is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
  • Fairfield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. CUNY City College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairfield University 12:1; CUNY City College 15:1.

Fairfield University vs. City College of New York Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or City College of New York? 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 CUNY City College than Fairfield University ($4,664 vs. $49,958).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at CUNY City College are 5% lower than at Fairfield University ($18,840 vs. $19,838).
  • Fairfield University is 695% more expensive for in-state tuition than City College of New York (about $51,010 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $7,340.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 281.6% higher at Fairfield University than at CUNY City College (about $43,060 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $15,290.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairfield University than at CUNY City College (96% vs. 88%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fairfield University students is 169.1% larger than aid received by CUNY City College students ($26,274 vs. $9,763).

Fairfield University vs. City College of New York Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fairfield University or City College of New York? 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 City College of New York and Fairfield University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fairfield University (1330) is 80 points higher than at City College of New York (1250).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 1260/1390; CUNY City College 1070/1430.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 29/32.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairfield University - Test optional; City College of New York - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027; City College of New York Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Fairfield University students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at City College of New York (3.2).
  • City College of New York has a higher acceptance rate (60%) than Fairfield University (33.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 12.3% at City College of New York.

Fairfield University vs. City College of New York Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fairfield University and City College of New York? 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 CUNY City College's (40%).
  • Graduates from Fairfield University earn a median of about $27,300 more per year than City College of New York graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,100 vs. $49,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY City College graduates have a $15,600 lower median loan debt than Fairfield University graduates ($11,400 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, City College of New York graduates have an estimated $162 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fairfield University graduates ($117 vs. $279).
  • More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former City College of New York students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 52%)

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.