Fairfield University vs. VCU

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

JMU SHU Mason Providence Virginia Tech Mary Washington College Marist College Old Dominion UConn CNU Loyola University Maryland Bentley
Fairfield University vs. Virginia Commonwealth University comparison
Fairfield University Virginia Commonwealth University College 3 College 4
Fairfield University Virginia Commonwealth University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Fairfield University VCU
Location Fairfield, CT Richmond, VA
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 6,019 28,082
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #138 #442
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fairfield.edu vcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Fairfield University VCU
Tuition (In State) $53,630 $12,458
Tuition (Out of State) $53,630 $33,726
Room & Board $16,750 $12,279
Avg Net Price $46,065 $21,294
Avg Grant Aid $25,279 $12,583
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 83%

Admission

Fairfield University VCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 13,359 18,242
Admitted 6,971 16,600
Acceptance Rate 52.2% 91%
Enrolled % 19.1% 25.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.67 3.75
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Very High Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 28/31 22/30
SAT Range 1240/1370 1030/1290
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 18, 2024

Academics

Fairfield University VCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)

Outcomes

Fairfield University VCU
Graduation Rate 82% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $77,100 $47,500
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $279 $240

Diversity

Fairfield University VCU
% Men 41% 36%
% Women 59% 64%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 76% 50%
% Black 2% 18%
% Hispanic 7% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 6%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 8% 1%

Students

Fairfield University VCU
% In-State 15% 92%
% Out-of-State 84% 6%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than than Fairfield University based on total student enrollment (28,082 students vs. 6,019 students)

Fairfield University vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or VCU?

  • Fairfield University is 330.5% more expensive to attend than VCU for in-state tuition ($53,630.00 vs. $12,458.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 59% higher at Fairfield University than Virginia Commonwealth University ($53,630.00 vs. $33,726.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Virginia Commonwealth University than Fairfield University ($21,294 vs. $46,065)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Commonwealth University are 36.4% lower than costs at Fairfield University ($12,279 vs. $16,750)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Fairfield University than Virginia Commonwealth University (94% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fairfield University students is 100.9% larger than aid received Virginia Commonwealth University ($25,279 vs. $12,583)

Fairfield University vs. VCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Fairfield University (3.67)
  • VCU has a higher acceptance rate (91%) than Fairfield University (52.2%)

Fairfield University vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Fairfield University is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University (82% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Fairfield University earn on average $29,600 more per year than VCU graduates after ten years. ($77,100 vs. $47,500)
  • Virginia Commonwealth University students graduate with a $3,750 lower median federal student loan debt than Fairfield University graduates. ($23,250 vs. $27,000)
  • VCU graduates are paying $39 less per month on federal student loans than Fairfield University graduates. ($240 vs. $279)
  • More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 56%)

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