Fairfield University vs. Harvard

Deciding between Fairfield University and Harvard 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
Harvard University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Fairfield University Fairfield, CT
  • Harvard Cambridge, MA
  • Setting
  • Fairfield University Large Suburban
  • Harvard Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Fairfield University 6,864
  • Harvard 30,259
  • Type
  • Fairfield University Private 4 Year
  • Harvard Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Fairfield University #129
  • Harvard #4
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Fairfield University Roman Catholic
  • Harvard -
  • Status
  • Fairfield University Non-profit
  • Harvard Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Fairfield University
  • Harvard

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Fairfield University $58,350
  • Harvard $61,676
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Fairfield University $58,350
  • Harvard $61,676
  • Room & Board
  • Fairfield University $19,838
  • Harvard $21,190
  • Average Net Price
  • Fairfield University $49,958
  • Harvard $17,525
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Fairfield University $26,274
  • Harvard $68,015
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Fairfield University 96%
  • Harvard 56%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Fairfield University 18,509
  • Harvard 54,008
  • Admitted
  • Fairfield University 6,162
  • Harvard 1,970
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Fairfield University 33.3%
  • Harvard 3.6%
  • Enrolled
  • Fairfield University 23.7%
  • Harvard 83.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Fairfield University 1330
  • Harvard 1550
  • Typical ACT score
  • Fairfield University 30
  • Harvard 35
  • Average High School GPA
  • Fairfield University 3.67
  • Harvard 4.0
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Fairfield University A-
  • Harvard A/A+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Fairfield University Very High
  • Harvard Elite
  • Applicant Competition
  • Fairfield University High
  • Harvard Extreme
  • ACT Range
  • Fairfield University 29/32
  • Harvard 34/36
  • SAT Range
  • Fairfield University 1260/1390
  • Harvard 1510/1580
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Fairfield University Test optional
  • Harvard Required
  • Application Deadline
  • Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027
  • Harvard Jan 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Fairfield University 12:1
  • Harvard 7:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Fairfield University
    • Business (34%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • Harvard
    • Social Sciences (32%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • History (9%)
    • Mathematics (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Fairfield University 82%
  • Harvard 97%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Fairfield University $77,100
  • Harvard $136,700
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Fairfield University 82%
  • Harvard 70%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Fairfield University $27,000
  • Harvard $6,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Fairfield University $279
  • Harvard $67

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Fairfield University 40%
  • Harvard 46%
  • % Women
  • Fairfield University 60%
  • Harvard 54%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Fairfield University Very Low
  • Harvard Very High
  • HBCU
  • Fairfield University No
  • Harvard No
  • % White
  • Fairfield University 76%
  • Harvard 44%
  • % Asian
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • Harvard 19%
  • % Black
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • Harvard 6%
  • % Hispanic
  • Fairfield University 7%
  • Harvard 10%
  • % Native American
  • Fairfield University 0%
  • Harvard 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Fairfield University 0%
  • Harvard 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Fairfield University 1%
  • Harvard 6%
  • % International
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • Harvard 11%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Fairfield University 8%
  • Harvard 3%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Fairfield University 13%
  • Harvard 14%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Fairfield University 86%
  • Harvard 68%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

Harvard University is larger than Fairfield University based on total student enrollment (30,259 students vs. 6,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Fairfield University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Harvard University is in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting).
  • Fairfield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Harvard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairfield University 12:1; Harvard University 7:1.

Fairfield University vs. Harvard Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or Harvard? 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 Harvard University than Fairfield University ($17,525 vs. $49,958).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fairfield University are 6.4% lower than at Harvard University ($19,838 vs. $21,190).
  • Harvard University is 5.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fairfield University (about $3,326 more per year; $61,676.00 vs. $58,350.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.7% higher at Harvard than at Fairfield University (about $3,326 more per year; $61,676.00 vs. $58,350.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairfield University than at Harvard University (96% vs. 56%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Harvard University students is 158.9% larger than aid received by Fairfield University students ($68,015 vs. $26,274).

Fairfield University vs. Harvard Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Harvard University (1550) is 220 points higher than at Fairfield University (1330).
  • Incoming Harvard students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 30 at Fairfield University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 1260/1390; Harvard University 1510/1580.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 29/32; Harvard University 34/36.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairfield University - Test optional; Harvard - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027; Harvard Jan 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Harvard students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Fairfield University (3.67).
  • Fairfield University has a higher acceptance rate (33.3%) than Harvard (3.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 83.6% at Harvard.

Fairfield University vs. Harvard Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • Harvard University's six-year graduation rate (97%) is higher than Fairfield University's (82%).
  • Graduates from Harvard University earn a median of about $59,600 more per year than Fairfield University graduates about ten years after starting college ($136,700 vs. $77,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Harvard University graduates have a $20,500 lower median loan debt than Fairfield University graduates ($6,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Harvard graduates have an estimated $212 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fairfield University graduates ($67 vs. $279).
  • More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harvard students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 70%)

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.