Fairfield University vs. BU

Deciding between Fairfield University and Boston University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Fairfield University
Boston University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • Fairfield University Fairfield, CT
  • BU Boston, MA
  • Setting
  • Fairfield University Large Suburban
  • BU Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Fairfield University 6,864
  • BU 37,737
  • Type
  • Fairfield University Private 4 Year
  • BU Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Fairfield University #129
  • BU #73
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Fairfield University Roman Catholic
  • BU -
  • Status
  • Fairfield University Non-profit
  • BU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Fairfield University
  • BU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Fairfield University $58,350
  • BU $68,102
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Fairfield University $58,350
  • BU $68,102
  • Room & Board
  • Fairfield University $19,838
  • BU $19,020
  • Average Net Price
  • Fairfield University $49,958
  • BU $24,420
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Fairfield University $26,274
  • BU $61,848
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Fairfield University 96%
  • BU 49%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Fairfield University 18,509
  • BU 78,769
  • Admitted
  • Fairfield University 6,162
  • BU 8,749
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Fairfield University 33.3%
  • BU 11.1%
  • Enrolled
  • Fairfield University 23.7%
  • BU 37.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Fairfield University 1330
  • BU 1480
  • Typical ACT score
  • Fairfield University 30
  • BU 33
  • Average High School GPA
  • Fairfield University 3.67
  • BU 3.79
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Fairfield University A-
  • BU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Fairfield University Very High
  • BU Exceptional
  • Applicant Competition
  • Fairfield University High
  • BU Very High
  • ACT Range
  • Fairfield University 29/32
  • BU 32/34
  • SAT Range
  • Fairfield University 1260/1390
  • BU 1420/1530
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Fairfield University Test optional
  • BU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027
  • BU Jan 4, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Fairfield University 12:1
  • BU 10:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Fairfield University
    • Business (34%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • BU
    • Business (21%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (15%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Engineering (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Fairfield University 82%
  • BU 85%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Fairfield University $77,100
  • BU $72,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Fairfield University 82%
  • BU 82%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Fairfield University $27,000
  • BU $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Fairfield University $279
  • BU $279

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Fairfield University 40%
  • BU 42%
  • % Women
  • Fairfield University 60%
  • BU 58%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Fairfield University Very Low
  • BU Very High
  • HBCU
  • Fairfield University No
  • BU No
  • % White
  • Fairfield University 76%
  • BU 43%
  • % Asian
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • BU 14%
  • % Black
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • BU 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • Fairfield University 7%
  • BU 11%
  • % Native American
  • Fairfield University 0%
  • BU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Fairfield University 0%
  • BU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Fairfield University 1%
  • BU 4%
  • % International
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • BU 20%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Fairfield University 8%
  • BU 5%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Fairfield University 13%
  • BU 15%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Fairfield University 86%
  • BU 62%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Fairfield University Yes
  • BU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Fairfield University No
  • BU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Fairfield University Yes
  • BU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Fairfield University Yes
  • BU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Fairfield University Yes
  • BU No

Comparable Facts

Compare Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT with Boston University in Boston, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Boston University is larger than Fairfield University based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 6,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Fairfield University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Boston University is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
  • Fairfield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Boston University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairfield University 12:1; Boston University 10:1.

Fairfield University vs. BU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or BU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Boston University than Fairfield University ($24,420 vs. $49,958).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Boston University are 4.1% lower than at Fairfield University ($19,020 vs. $19,838).
  • Boston University is 16.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fairfield University (about $9,752 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $58,350.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 16.7% higher at BU than at Fairfield University (about $9,752 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $58,350.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairfield University than at Boston University (96% vs. 49%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Boston University students is 135.4% larger than aid received by Fairfield University students ($61,848 vs. $26,274).

Fairfield University vs. BU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fairfield University or BU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between BU and Fairfield University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Boston University (1480) is 150 points higher than at Fairfield University (1330).
  • Incoming BU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 30 at Fairfield University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 1260/1390; Boston University 1420/1530.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 29/32; Boston University 32/34.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairfield University - Test optional; BU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027; BU Jan 4, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman BU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Fairfield University (3.67).
  • Fairfield University has a higher acceptance rate (33.3%) than BU (11.1%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 37.4% at BU.

Fairfield University vs. BU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fairfield University and BU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Boston University's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Fairfield University's (82%).
  • Graduates from Fairfield University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than BU graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,100 vs. $72,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Boston University and Fairfield University graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers in the federal data, Boston University and Fairfield University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
  • More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BU students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 82%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.