Fairfield University vs. Penn State Brandywine

Fairfield University and Penn State Brandywine side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Fairfield University
Penn State Brandywine

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Fairfield University (33.3% admitted vs 98.1%). Typical SAT 1330 vs 1200.
  • Cheaper after aid: Penn State Brandywine. Average net price is $22,710 vs $49,958 at Fairfield University.
  • Graduation: Fairfield University 82% vs Penn State Brandywine 37%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Fairfield University $77,100 vs Penn State Brandywine $55,300 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Fairfield University Penn State Brandywine
Acceptance rate
Fairfield University more selective
Fairfield University33.3%
Penn State Brandywine98.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Fairfield University higher
Fairfield University1260-1390
Penn State Brandywine1080-1310
Average net price
Penn State Brandywine $27,248 less
Fairfield University$49,958
Penn State Brandywine$22,710
In-state tuition
Penn State Brandywine $43,142 less
Fairfield University$58,350
Penn State Brandywine$15,208
Out-of-state tuition
Penn State Brandywine $32,958 less
Fairfield University$58,350
Penn State Brandywine$25,392
Graduation rate
Fairfield University +45 pts
Fairfield University82%
Penn State Brandywine37%
Median earnings (10 years)
Fairfield University +$21,800
Fairfield University$77,100
Penn State Brandywine$55,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Fairfield University and Penn State Brandywine with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Fairfield University Check my chances at Penn State Brandywine
  • Applied
  • Fairfield University 18,509
  • Penn State Brandywine 2,431
  • Admitted
  • Fairfield University 6,162
  • Penn State Brandywine 2,385
  • Acceptance rate
  • Fairfield University 33.3%
  • Penn State Brandywine 98.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Fairfield University 23.7%
  • Penn State Brandywine 16.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Fairfield University 1330
  • Penn State Brandywine 1200
  • Typical ACT score
  • Fairfield University 30
  • Penn State Brandywine
  • Average high school GPA
  • Fairfield University 3.67
  • Penn State Brandywine -
  • Typical high school grades
  • Fairfield University A-
  • Penn State Brandywine -
  • Admissions standards
  • Fairfield University Very High
  • Penn State Brandywine Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Fairfield University High
  • Penn State Brandywine
  • SAT range
  • Fairfield University 1260-1390
  • Penn State Brandywine 1080-1310
  • ACT range
  • Fairfield University 29-32
  • Penn State Brandywine
  • Submit test scores
  • Fairfield University Test optional
  • Penn State Brandywine Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027
  • Penn State Brandywine
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Fairfield University $58,350
  • Penn State Brandywine $15,208
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Fairfield University $58,350
  • Penn State Brandywine $25,392
  • Room & board
  • Fairfield University $19,838
  • Penn State Brandywine $14,474
  • Average net price
  • Fairfield University $49,958
  • Penn State Brandywine $22,710
  • Average grant aid
  • Fairfield University $26,274
  • Penn State Brandywine $9,113
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Fairfield University 96%
  • Penn State Brandywine 73%
  • Graduation rate
  • Fairfield University 82%
  • Penn State Brandywine 37%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Fairfield University $77,100
  • Penn State Brandywine $55,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Fairfield University 82%
  • Penn State Brandywine 69%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Fairfield University $27,000
  • Penn State Brandywine $26,818
  • Median loan payment
  • Fairfield University $279
  • Penn State Brandywine $277
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Fairfield University 12:1
  • Penn State Brandywine 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • Fairfield University
    • Business (34%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • Penn State Brandywine
    • Business (28%)
    • Work and Family Studies (28%)
    • Communication (23%)
    • Ethnic Studies (6%)
    • Education (5%)
  • Location
  • Fairfield University Fairfield, CT
  • Penn State Brandywine Media, PA
  • Setting
  • Fairfield University Large Suburban
  • Penn State Brandywine Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Fairfield University 6,864
  • Penn State Brandywine 1,236
  • Type
  • Fairfield University Private 4 Year
  • Penn State Brandywine Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Fairfield University #129
  • Penn State Brandywine #821

Comparable Facts

Compare Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT with Penn State Brandywine in Media, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Fairfield University is larger than Penn State Brandywine based on total student enrollment (6,864 students vs. 1,236 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Fairfield University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Brandywine is in Media, PA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Fairfield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Brandywine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairfield University 12:1; Penn State Brandywine 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Brandywine are 27% lower than at Fairfield University ($14,474 vs. $19,838).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 129.8% higher at Fairfield University than at Penn State Brandywine (about $32,958 more per year; $58,350 vs. $25,392).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairfield University than at Penn State Brandywine (96% vs. 73%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fairfield University students is 188.3% larger than aid received by Penn State Brandywine students ($26,274 vs. $9,113).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Fairfield University and Penn State Brandywine.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 16.8% at Penn State Brandywine.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Brandywine graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Fairfield University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Penn State Brandywine graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fairfield University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
  • More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Brandywine students, three years after graduation (82% vs. 69%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Fairfield University
Penn State Brandywine
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges