Fairfield University vs. NYU

Deciding between Fairfield University and New York University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,500 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Fairfield University
New York University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Fairfield University Fairfield, CT
  • NYU New York, NY
  • Setting
  • Fairfield University Large Suburban
  • NYU Large City
  • Enrollment
  • Fairfield University 6,864
  • NYU 56,832
  • Type
  • Fairfield University Private 4 Year
  • NYU Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Fairfield University #129
  • NYU #43
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Fairfield University Roman Catholic
  • NYU -
  • Status
  • Fairfield University Non-profit
  • NYU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Fairfield University
  • NYU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Fairfield University $58,350
  • NYU $62,796
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Fairfield University $58,350
  • NYU $62,796
  • Room & Board
  • Fairfield University $19,838
  • NYU $23,530
  • Average Net Price
  • Fairfield University $49,958
  • NYU $30,325
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Fairfield University $26,274
  • NYU $53,901
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Fairfield University 96%
  • NYU 37%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Fairfield University 18,509
  • NYU 110,807
  • Admitted
  • Fairfield University 6,162
  • NYU 10,232
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Fairfield University 33.3%
  • NYU 9.2%
  • Enrolled
  • Fairfield University 23.7%
  • NYU 55.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Fairfield University 1330
  • NYU 1520
  • Typical ACT score
  • Fairfield University 30
  • NYU 34
  • Average High School GPA
  • Fairfield University 3.67
  • NYU 3.79
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Fairfield University B+
  • NYU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Fairfield University Very High
  • NYU Elite
  • Applicant Competition
  • Fairfield University High
  • NYU Extreme
  • ACT Range
  • Fairfield University 29/32
  • NYU 34/35
  • SAT Range
  • Fairfield University 1260/1390
  • NYU 1480/1560
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Fairfield University Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
  • NYU Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
  • Application Deadline
  • Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027
  • NYU

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Fairfield University 12:1
  • NYU 8:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Fairfield University
    • Business (34%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • NYU
    • Business (19%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (18%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Communication (9%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Fairfield University 82%
  • NYU 86%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Fairfield University $77,100
  • NYU $76,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Fairfield University 82%
  • NYU 77%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Fairfield University $27,000
  • NYU $23,250
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Fairfield University $279
  • NYU $240

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Fairfield University 7%
  • NYU 21%
  • % Women
  • Fairfield University 14%
  • NYU 28%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Fairfield University Low
  • NYU Very High
  • HBCU
  • Fairfield University No
  • NYU No
  • % White
  • Fairfield University 76%
  • NYU 34%
  • % Asian
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • NYU 20%
  • % Black
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • NYU 5%
  • % Hispanic
  • Fairfield University 7%
  • NYU 12%
  • % Native American
  • Fairfield University 0%
  • NYU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Fairfield University 0%
  • NYU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Fairfield University 1%
  • NYU 4%
  • % International
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • NYU 17%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Fairfield University 8%
  • NYU 8%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Fairfield University 13%
  • NYU 26%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Fairfield University 86%
  • NYU 49%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Fairfield University Yes
  • NYU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Fairfield University No
  • NYU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Fairfield University Yes
  • NYU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Fairfield University Yes
  • NYU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Fairfield University Yes
  • NYU No

Comparable Facts

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

New York University is larger than Fairfield University based on total student enrollment (56,832 students vs. 6,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Fairfield University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); New York University is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
  • Fairfield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. New York University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairfield University 12:1; New York University 8:1.

Fairfield University vs. NYU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or NYU? 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 New York University than Fairfield University ($30,325 vs. $49,958).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fairfield University are 15.7% lower than at New York University ($19,838 vs. $23,530).
  • New York University is 7.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fairfield University (about $4,446 more per year; $62,796.00 vs. $58,350.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 7.6% higher at NYU than at Fairfield University (about $4,446 more per year; $62,796.00 vs. $58,350.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairfield University than at New York University (96% vs. 37%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by New York University students is 105.1% larger than aid received by Fairfield University students ($53,901 vs. $26,274).

Fairfield University vs. NYU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fairfield University or NYU? 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 NYU and Fairfield University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at New York University (1520) is 190 points higher than at Fairfield University (1330).
  • Incoming NYU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Fairfield University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 1260/1390; New York University 1480/1560.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 29/32; New York University 34/35.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairfield University - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); NYU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
  • Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman NYU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Fairfield University (3.67).
  • Fairfield University has a higher acceptance rate (33.3%) than NYU (9.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 55.4% at NYU.

Fairfield University vs. NYU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fairfield University and NYU? 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).

  • New York University's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Fairfield University's (82%).
  • Graduates from Fairfield University earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than NYU graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,100 vs. $76,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, New York University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Fairfield University graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, NYU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fairfield University graduates ($240 vs. $279).
  • More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NYU 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.