Fairfield University vs. William & Mary

Comparable Facts

Compare Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT with William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

William & Mary is larger than Fairfield University based on total student enrollment (9,818 students vs. 6,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fairfield University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); William & Mary is in Williamsburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Fairfield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. William & Mary is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairfield University 12:1; William & Mary 12:1.

Fairfield University vs. William & Mary Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or William & Mary? 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 William & Mary than Fairfield University ($19,686 vs. $49,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William & Mary are 18.4% lower than at Fairfield University ($16,182 vs. $19,838).
• Fairfield University is 125.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than William & Mary (about $32,436 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $25,914.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.3% higher at Fairfield University than at William & Mary (about $7,312 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $51,038.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairfield University than at William & Mary (96% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fairfield University students is 13.5% larger than aid received by William & Mary students ($26,274 vs. $23,144).

Fairfield University vs. William & Mary Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fairfield University or William & Mary? 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 William & Mary and Fairfield University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at William & Mary (1470) is 140 points higher than at Fairfield University (1330).
• Incoming William & Mary 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; William & Mary 1400/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 29/32; William & Mary 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairfield University - Test optional; William & Mary - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027; William & Mary Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman William & Mary students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at Fairfield University (3.67).
• William & Mary has a higher acceptance rate (34.1%) than Fairfield University (33.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 26.6% at William & Mary.

Fairfield University vs. William & Mary Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fairfield University and William & Mary? 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).

• William & Mary's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Fairfield University's (82%).
• Graduates from Fairfield University earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than William & Mary graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,100 vs. $68,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William & Mary graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than Fairfield University graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, William & Mary graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fairfield University graduates ($201 vs. $279).
• More William & Mary graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fairfield University students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.