Fairfield University vs. Williams

Fairfield University and Williams College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Fairfield University
Williams College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Williams (8.3% admitted vs 33.3%). Typical SAT 1530 vs 1330.
  • Cheaper after aid: Williams. Average net price is $15,894 vs $49,958 at Fairfield University.
  • Graduation: Fairfield University 82% vs Williams 95%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Fairfield University $77,100 vs Williams $73,600 (median).
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Key differences

Fairfield University Williams College
Acceptance rate
Williams more selective
Fairfield University33.3%
Williams8.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Williams higher
Fairfield University1260-1390
Williams1490-1570
Average net price
Williams $34,064 less
Fairfield University$49,958
Williams$15,894
In-state tuition
Fairfield University $10,210 less
Fairfield University$58,350
Williams$68,560
Out-of-state tuition
Fairfield University $10,210 less
Fairfield University$58,350
Williams$68,560
Graduation rate
Williams +13 pts
Fairfield University82%
Williams95%
Median earnings (10 years)
Fairfield University +$3,500
Fairfield University$77,100
Williams$73,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Fairfield University 18,509
  • Williams 15,411
  • Admitted
  • Fairfield University 6,162
  • Williams 1,272
  • Acceptance rate
  • Fairfield University 33.3%
  • Williams 8.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Fairfield University 23.7%
  • Williams 43%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Fairfield University 1330
  • Williams 1530
  • Typical ACT score
  • Fairfield University 30
  • Williams 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Fairfield University 3.67
  • Williams 3.94
  • Typical high school grades
  • Fairfield University A-
  • Williams A
  • Admissions standards
  • Fairfield University Very High
  • Williams Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Fairfield University High
  • Williams Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Fairfield University 1260-1390
  • Williams 1490-1570
  • ACT range
  • Fairfield University 29-32
  • Williams 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Fairfield University Test optional
  • Williams Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027
  • Williams Jan 10, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Fairfield University $58,350
  • Williams $68,560
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Fairfield University $58,350
  • Williams $68,560
  • Room & board
  • Fairfield University $19,838
  • Williams $17,260
  • Average net price
  • Fairfield University $49,958
  • Williams $15,894
  • Average grant aid
  • Fairfield University $26,274
  • Williams $68,966
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Fairfield University 96%
  • Williams 54%
  • Graduation rate
  • Fairfield University 82%
  • Williams 95%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Fairfield University $77,100
  • Williams $73,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Fairfield University 82%
  • Williams 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Fairfield University $27,000
  • Williams $14,582
  • Median loan payment
  • Fairfield University $279
  • Williams $150
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Fairfield University 12:1
  • Williams 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Fairfield University
    • Business (34%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • Williams
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • History (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Fairfield University Fairfield, CT
  • Williams Williamstown, MA
  • Setting
  • Fairfield University Large Suburban
  • Williams Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Fairfield University 6,864
  • Williams 2,164
  • Type
  • Fairfield University Private 4 Year
  • Williams Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Fairfield University #129
  • Williams #14

Comparable Facts

Compare Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT with Williams College in Williamstown, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Fairfield University is larger than Williams based on total student enrollment (6,864 students vs. 2,164 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Fairfield University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Williams College is in Williamstown, MA (Distant Town setting).
  • Fairfield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Williams College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairfield University 12:1; Williams College 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Williams College are 13% lower than at Fairfield University ($17,260 vs. $19,838).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 17.5% higher at Williams than at Fairfield University (about $10,210 more per year; $68,560 vs. $58,350).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairfield University than at Williams College (96% vs. 54%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Williams College students is 162.5% larger than aid received by Fairfield University students ($68,966 vs. $26,274).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Williams than at Fairfield University (34 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Fairfield University and Williams.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027; Williams Jan 10, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Williams average a 3.94 high school GPA, 0.27 higher than at Fairfield University (3.67).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 43% at Williams.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Williams College graduates have a $12,418 lower median loan debt than Fairfield University graduates ($14,582 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Williams graduates have an estimated $129 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fairfield University graduates ($150 vs. $279).
  • More Williams graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fairfield University students, three years after graduation (83% vs. 82%).

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

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