Fairfield University vs. Iona University

Deciding between Fairfield University and Iona 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
Iona University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Fairfield University Fairfield, CT
  • Iona University New Rochelle, NY
  • Setting
  • Fairfield University Large Suburban
  • Iona University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Fairfield University 6,864
  • Iona University 3,958
  • Type
  • Fairfield University Private 4 Year
  • Iona University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Fairfield University #129
  • Iona University #456
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Fairfield University Roman Catholic
  • Iona University Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • Fairfield University Non-profit
  • Iona University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Fairfield University
  • Iona University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Fairfield University $58,350
  • Iona University $47,260
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Fairfield University $58,350
  • Iona University $47,260
  • Room & Board
  • Fairfield University $19,838
  • Iona University $18,820
  • Average Net Price
  • Fairfield University $49,958
  • Iona University $29,978
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Fairfield University $26,274
  • Iona University $30,780
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Fairfield University 96%
  • Iona University 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Fairfield University 18,509
  • Iona University 8,479
  • Admitted
  • Fairfield University 6,162
  • Iona University 7,372
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Fairfield University 33.3%
  • Iona University 86.9%
  • Enrolled
  • Fairfield University 23.7%
  • Iona University 12.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Fairfield University 1330
  • Iona University 1210
  • Typical ACT score
  • Fairfield University 30
  • Iona University 26
  • Average High School GPA
  • Fairfield University 3.67
  • Iona University 3.4
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Fairfield University A-
  • Iona University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Fairfield University Very High
  • Iona University Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • Fairfield University High
  • Iona University
  • ACT Range
  • Fairfield University 29/32
  • Iona University 24/29
  • SAT Range
  • Fairfield University 1260/1390
  • Iona University 1110/1300
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Fairfield University Test optional
  • Iona University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027
  • Iona University Feb 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Fairfield University 12:1
  • Iona University 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Fairfield University
    • Business (34%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • Iona University
    • Business (37%)
    • Communication (17%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Fairfield University 82%
  • Iona University 57%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Fairfield University $77,100
  • Iona University $58,400
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Fairfield University 82%
  • Iona University 73%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Fairfield University $27,000
  • Iona University $26,047
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Fairfield University $279
  • Iona University $269
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Fairfield University 40%
  • Iona University 44%
  • % Women
  • Fairfield University 60%
  • Iona University 56%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Fairfield University Very Low
  • Iona University Medium
  • HBCU
  • Fairfield University No
  • Iona University No
  • % White
  • Fairfield University 76%
  • Iona University 58%
  • % Asian
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • Iona University 2%
  • % Black
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • Iona University 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • Fairfield University 7%
  • Iona University 22%
  • % Native American
  • Fairfield University 0%
  • Iona University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Fairfield University 0%
  • Iona University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Fairfield University 1%
  • Iona University 2%
  • % International
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • Iona University 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Fairfield University 8%
  • Iona University 5%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Fairfield University 13%
  • Iona University 79%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Fairfield University 86%
  • Iona University 20%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT with Iona University in New Rochelle, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fairfield University is larger than Iona University based on total student enrollment (6,864 students vs. 3,958 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Fairfield University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Iona University is in New Rochelle, NY (Large Suburban setting).
  • Fairfield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Iona University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairfield University 12:1; Iona University 16:1.

Fairfield University vs. Iona University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or Iona University? 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 Iona University than Fairfield University ($29,978 vs. $49,958).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iona University are 5.1% lower than at Fairfield University ($18,820 vs. $19,838).
  • Fairfield University is 23.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iona University (about $11,090 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $47,260.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 23.5% higher at Fairfield University than at Iona University (about $11,090 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $47,260.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Iona University than at Fairfield University (100% vs. 96%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Iona University students is 17.2% larger than aid received by Fairfield University students ($30,780 vs. $26,274).

Fairfield University vs. Iona University Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fairfield University (1330) is 120 points higher than at Iona University (1210).
  • Incoming Fairfield University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at Iona University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 1260/1390; Iona University 1110/1300.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 29/32; Iona University 24/29.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairfield University - Test optional; Iona University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027; Iona University Feb 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Fairfield University students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Iona University (3.4).
  • Iona University has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than Fairfield University (33.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 12.9% at Iona University.

Fairfield University vs. Iona University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fairfield University and Iona University? 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 Iona University's (57%).
  • Graduates from Fairfield University earn a median of about $18,700 more per year than Iona University graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,100 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Iona University graduates have a $953 lower median loan debt than Fairfield University graduates ($26,047 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Iona University graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fairfield University graduates ($269 vs. $279).
  • More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iona University students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 73%)

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.