CCSU vs. Fairfield University

Should I go to Central Connecticut State University or Fairfield University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CCSU or Fairfield 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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Central Connecticut State University vs. Fairfield University comparison
Central Connecticut State University Fairfield University College 3 College 4
Central Connecticut State University Fairfield University
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Overview

CCSU Fairfield University
Location New Britain, CT Fairfield, CT
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 9,712 6,289
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #382 #128
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ccsu.edu fairfield.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CCSU Fairfield University
Tuition (In State) $6,664 $55,510
Tuition (Out of State) $19,940 $55,510
Room & Board $12,710 $17,400
Avg Net Price $17,207 $47,630
Avg Grant Aid $7,949 $25,877
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 95%

Admission

CCSU Fairfield University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,282 15,463
Admitted 6,255 6,956
Acceptance Rate 75.5% 45%
Enrolled % 23% 20.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.2 3.67
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Average Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/29 29/32
SAT Range 960/1180 1240/1380
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 Aug 26, 2026 Jan 15, 2026

Academics

CCSU Fairfield University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (30%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (34%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)

Outcomes

CCSU Fairfield University
Graduation Rate 47% 82%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,000 $77,100
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 82%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $232 $279

Diversity

CCSU Fairfield University
% Men 7% 7%
% Women 12% 14%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 65% 76%
% Black 12% 2%
% Hispanic 13% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 8%

Students

CCSU Fairfield University
% In-State 90% 15%
% Out-of-State 8% 84%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Central Connecticut State University is larger than than Fairfield University based on total student enrollment (9,712 students vs. 6,289 students)

CCSU vs. Fairfield University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CCSU or Fairfield University?

  • Fairfield University is 733% more expensive to attend than CCSU for in-state tuition ($55,510.00 vs. $6,664.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 178.4% higher at Fairfield University than Central Connecticut State University ($55,510.00 vs. $19,940.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central Connecticut State University than Fairfield University ($17,207 vs. $47,630)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Connecticut State University are 36.9% lower than costs at Fairfield University ($12,710 vs. $17,400)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Fairfield University than Central Connecticut State University (95% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fairfield University students is 225.5% larger than aid received Central Connecticut State University ($25,877 vs. $7,949)

CCSU vs. Fairfield University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Fairfield University students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at CCSU (3.2)
  • CCSU has a higher acceptance rate (75.5%) than Fairfield University (45%)

CCSU vs. Fairfield University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CCSU or Fairfield 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 Fairfield University and CCSU.

  • The graduation rate at Fairfield University is higher than Central Connecticut State University (82% vs. 47%)
  • Graduates from Fairfield University earn on average $28,100 more per year than CCSU graduates after ten years. ($77,100 vs. $49,000)
  • Central Connecticut State University students graduate with a $4,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Fairfield University graduates. ($22,500 vs. $27,000)
  • CCSU graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than Fairfield University graduates. ($232 vs. $279)
  • More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CCSU students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 63%)

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