Fairfield University vs. Elon

Deciding between Fairfield University and Elon 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
Elon University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Fairfield University Fairfield, CT
  • Elon Elon, NC
  • Setting
  • Fairfield University Large Suburban
  • Elon Small Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Fairfield University 6,864
  • Elon 7,239
  • Type
  • Fairfield University Private 4 Year
  • Elon Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Fairfield University #129
  • Elon #140
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Fairfield University Roman Catholic
  • Elon -
  • Status
  • Fairfield University Non-profit
  • Elon Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Fairfield University
  • Elon

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Fairfield University $58,350
  • Elon $46,958
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Fairfield University $58,350
  • Elon $46,958
  • Room & Board
  • Fairfield University $19,838
  • Elon $14,985
  • Average Net Price
  • Fairfield University $49,958
  • Elon $44,440
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Fairfield University $26,274
  • Elon $17,867
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Fairfield University 96%
  • Elon 77%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Fairfield University 18,509
  • Elon 18,105
  • Admitted
  • Fairfield University 6,162
  • Elon 12,012
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Fairfield University 33.3%
  • Elon 66.3%
  • Enrolled
  • Fairfield University 23.7%
  • Elon 13.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Fairfield University 1330
  • Elon 1210
  • Typical ACT score
  • Fairfield University 30
  • Elon 25
  • Average High School GPA
  • Fairfield University 3.67
  • Elon 3.65
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Fairfield University A-
  • Elon A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Fairfield University Very High
  • Elon Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • Fairfield University High
  • Elon Low
  • ACT Range
  • Fairfield University 29/32
  • Elon 23/28
  • SAT Range
  • Fairfield University 1260/1390
  • Elon 1130/1280
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Fairfield University Test optional
  • Elon Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027
  • Elon Jan 10, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Fairfield University 12:1
  • Elon 11:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Fairfield University
    • Business (34%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • Elon
    • Business (22%)
    • Communication (19%)
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Fairfield University 82%
  • Elon 82%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Fairfield University $77,100
  • Elon $56,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Fairfield University 82%
  • Elon 86%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Fairfield University $27,000
  • Elon $23,250
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Fairfield University $279
  • Elon $240

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Fairfield University 40%
  • Elon 40%
  • % Women
  • Fairfield University 60%
  • Elon 60%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Fairfield University Very Low
  • Elon Low
  • HBCU
  • Fairfield University No
  • Elon No
  • % White
  • Fairfield University 76%
  • Elon 82%
  • % Asian
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • Elon 2%
  • % Black
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • Elon 6%
  • % Hispanic
  • Fairfield University 7%
  • Elon 5%
  • % Native American
  • Fairfield University 0%
  • Elon 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Fairfield University 0%
  • Elon 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Fairfield University 1%
  • Elon 2%
  • % International
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • Elon 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Fairfield University 8%
  • Elon 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Fairfield University 13%
  • Elon 21%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Fairfield University 86%
  • Elon 77%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

Elon University is larger than Fairfield University based on total student enrollment (7,239 students vs. 6,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Fairfield University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Elon University is in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting).
  • Fairfield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairfield University 12:1; Elon University 11:1.

Fairfield University vs. Elon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or Elon? 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 Elon University than Fairfield University ($44,440 vs. $49,958).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elon University are 24.5% lower than at Fairfield University ($14,985 vs. $19,838).
  • Fairfield University is 24.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Elon (about $11,392 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $46,958.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 24.3% higher at Fairfield University than at Elon University (about $11,392 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $46,958.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairfield University than at Elon University (96% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fairfield University students is 47.1% larger than aid received by Elon University students ($26,274 vs. $17,867).

Fairfield University vs. Elon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fairfield University or Elon? 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 Elon and Fairfield University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fairfield University (1330) is 120 points higher than at Elon (1210).
  • Incoming Fairfield University students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at Elon).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 1260/1390; Elon University 1130/1280.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 29/32; Elon University 23/28.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairfield University - Test optional; Elon - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027; Elon Jan 10, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Fairfield University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Elon (3.65).
  • Elon has a higher acceptance rate (66.3%) than Fairfield University (33.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 13.4% at Elon.

Fairfield University vs. Elon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fairfield University and Elon? 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).

  • The graduation rate at Fairfield University is the same as at Elon University (82% vs. 82%).
  • Graduates from Fairfield University earn a median of about $20,900 more per year than Elon graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,100 vs. $56,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Elon University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Fairfield University graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Elon graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fairfield University graduates ($240 vs. $279).
  • More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fairfield University students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.