Fairfield University vs. Rider University

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

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Fairfield University vs. Rider University comparison
Fairfield University Rider University College 3 College 4
Fairfield University Rider University
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Overview

Fairfield University Rider University
Location Fairfield, CT Lawrenceville, NJ
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 6,019 4,054
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #138 #263
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fairfield.edu rider.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Fairfield University Rider University
Tuition (In State) $53,630 $36,000
Tuition (Out of State) $53,630 $36,000
Room & Board $16,750 $16,130
Avg Net Price $46,065 $26,388
Avg Grant Aid $25,279 $26,336
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 99%

Admission

Fairfield University Rider University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 13,359 9,340
Admitted 6,971 7,858
Acceptance Rate 52.2% 84.1%
Enrolled % 19.1% 9.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.67 3.41
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very High Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 28/31 21/29
SAT Range 1240/1370 1100/1300
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

Academics

Fairfield University Rider University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Business (34%)
  • Education (15%)
  • English and Literature (13%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)

Outcomes

Fairfield University Rider University
Graduation Rate 82% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $77,100 $53,000
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,750
Median Loan Payment $279 $266

Diversity

Fairfield University Rider University
% Men 41% 41%
% Women 59% 59%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 76% 62%
% Black 2% 12%
% Hispanic 7% 12%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 8% 2%

Students

Fairfield University Rider University
% In-State 15% 74%
% Out-of-State 84% 23%

Campus

Fairfield University Rider University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Fairfield University is larger than than Rider University based on total student enrollment (6,019 students vs. 4,054 students)

Fairfield University vs. Rider University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or Rider University?

  • Fairfield University is 49% more expensive to attend than Rider University for in-state tuition ($53,630.00 vs. $36,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 49% higher at Fairfield University than Rider University ($53,630.00 vs. $36,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Rider University than Fairfield University ($26,388 vs. $46,065)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rider University are 3.8% lower than costs at Fairfield University ($16,130 vs. $16,750)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Rider University than Fairfield University (99% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rider University students is 4.2% larger than aid received Fairfield University ($26,336 vs. $25,279)

Fairfield University vs. Rider University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Fairfield University students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Rider University (3.41)
  • Rider University has a higher acceptance rate (84.1%) than Fairfield University (52.2%)

Fairfield University vs. Rider University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Fairfield University is higher than Rider University (82% vs. 63%)
  • Graduates from Fairfield University earn on average $24,100 more per year than Rider University graduates after ten years. ($77,100 vs. $53,000)
  • Rider University students graduate with a $1,250 lower median federal student loan debt than Fairfield University graduates. ($25,750 vs. $27,000)
  • Rider University graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than Fairfield University graduates. ($266 vs. $279)
  • More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rider University students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 73%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/