Fairfield University vs. Howard

Comparable Facts

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

Howard University is larger than Fairfield University based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 6,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fairfield University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Howard University is in Washington, DC (Large City setting).
• Fairfield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairfield University 12:1; Howard University 13:1.

Fairfield University vs. Howard Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or Howard? 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 Howard University than Fairfield University ($33,368 vs. $49,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Howard University are 12.7% lower than at Fairfield University ($17,322 vs. $19,838).
• Fairfield University is 62.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard (about $22,540 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.9% higher at Fairfield University than at Howard University (about $22,540 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Howard University than at Fairfield University (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fairfield University students is 23.6% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($26,274 vs. $21,262).

Fairfield University vs. Howard Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fairfield University (1330) is 120 points higher than at Howard (1210).
• Incoming Fairfield University students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at Howard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 1260/1390; Howard University 1090/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 29/32; Howard University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairfield University - Test optional; Howard - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027; Howard Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Fairfield University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Howard (3.66).
• Howard has a higher acceptance rate (41.3%) than Fairfield University (33.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 19.4% at Howard.

Fairfield University vs. Howard Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Fairfield University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Howard University's (63%).
• Graduates from Fairfield University earn a median of about $25,300 more per year than Howard graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,100 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Howard University and Fairfield University graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Howard 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 Howard students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 33%)

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.