Fairfield University vs. Arcadia

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

Fairfield University Arcadia
Location Fairfield, CT Glenside, PA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 6,289 3,142
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #128 #471
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fairfield.edu arcadia.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Fairfield University Arcadia
Tuition (In State) $55,510 $47,590
Tuition (Out of State) $55,510 $47,590
Room & Board $17,400 $16,250
Avg Net Price $47,630 $26,994
Avg Grant Aid $25,877 $34,234
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 100%

Admission

Fairfield University Arcadia
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,463 6,688
Admitted 6,956 5,296
Acceptance Rate 45% 79.2%
Enrolled % 20.6% 7.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.67 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very High Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 29/32 26/30
SAT Range 1240/1380 1083/1310
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, 2026

Academics

Fairfield University Arcadia
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
  • Biology (12%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

Fairfield University Arcadia
Graduation Rate 82% 62%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $77,100 $46,400
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $279

Diversity

Fairfield University Arcadia
% Men 7% 11%
% Women 14% 28%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 76% 68%
% Black 2% 9%
% Hispanic 7% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 4%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 8% 2%

Students

Fairfield University Arcadia
% In-State 15% 66%
% Out-of-State 84% 32%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Fairfield University is larger than than Arcadia based on total student enrollment (6,289 students vs. 3,142 students)

Fairfield University vs. Arcadia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or Arcadia?

  • Fairfield University is 16.6% more expensive to attend than Arcadia for in-state tuition ($55,510.00 vs. $47,590.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 16.6% higher at Fairfield University than Arcadia University ($55,510.00 vs. $47,590.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arcadia University than Fairfield University ($26,994 vs. $47,630)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arcadia University are 7.1% lower than costs at Fairfield University ($16,250 vs. $17,400)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Arcadia University than Fairfield University (100% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 32.3% larger than aid received Fairfield University ($34,234 vs. $25,877)

Fairfield University vs. Arcadia Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Fairfield University students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Arcadia (3.42)
  • Arcadia has a higher acceptance rate (79.2%) than Fairfield University (45%)

Fairfield University vs. Arcadia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Fairfield University is higher than Arcadia University (82% vs. 62%)
  • Graduates from Fairfield University earn on average $30,700 more per year than Arcadia graduates after ten years. ($77,100 vs. $46,400)
  • Arcadia University and Fairfield University graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($27,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Arcadia University and Fairfield University graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($279 vs. $279)
  • More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arcadia students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 69%)

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