Fairfield University vs. DeSales University

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

Fairfield University DeSales University
Location Fairfield, CT Center Valley, PA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 6,289 2,919
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #128 #295
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fairfield.edu desales.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Fairfield University DeSales University
Tuition (In State) $55,510 $43,000
Tuition (Out of State) $55,510 $43,000
Room & Board $17,400 $13,800
Avg Net Price $47,630 $30,524
Avg Grant Aid $25,877 $28,789
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 100%

Admission

Fairfield University DeSales University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,463 3,636
Admitted 6,956 2,857
Acceptance Rate 45% 78.6%
Enrolled % 20.6% 15.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.67 3.39
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very High Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 29/32 24/28
SAT Range 1240/1380 1090/1290
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, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Fairfield University DeSales University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Business (29%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

Fairfield University DeSales University
Graduation Rate 82% 69%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $77,100 $51,100
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $268

Diversity

Fairfield University DeSales University
% Men 7% 8%
% Women 14% 18%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 76% 75%
% Black 2% 4%
% Hispanic 7% 12%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 2%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 8% 6%

Students

Fairfield University DeSales University
% In-State 15% 66%
% Out-of-State 84% 34%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Fairfield University is larger than than DeSales University based on total student enrollment (6,289 students vs. 2,919 students)

Fairfield University vs. DeSales University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or DeSales University?

  • Fairfield University is 29.1% more expensive to attend than DeSales University for in-state tuition ($55,510.00 vs. $43,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 29.1% higher at Fairfield University than DeSales University ($55,510.00 vs. $43,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at DeSales University than Fairfield University ($30,524 vs. $47,630)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at DeSales University are 26.1% lower than costs at Fairfield University ($13,800 vs. $17,400)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at DeSales University than Fairfield University (100% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by DeSales University students is 11.3% larger than aid received Fairfield University ($28,789 vs. $25,877)

Fairfield University vs. DeSales University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Fairfield University students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at DeSales University (3.39)
  • DeSales University has a higher acceptance rate (78.6%) than Fairfield University (45%)

Fairfield University vs. DeSales University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Fairfield University is higher than DeSales University (82% vs. 69%)
  • Graduates from Fairfield University earn on average $26,000 more per year than DeSales University graduates after ten years. ($77,100 vs. $51,100)
  • DeSales University students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Fairfield University graduates. ($26,000 vs. $27,000)
  • DeSales University graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Fairfield University graduates. ($268 vs. $279)
  • More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DeSales University students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 71%)

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