Fairfield University vs. Ithaca College

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

Fairfield University Ithaca College
Location Fairfield, CT Ithaca, NY
Setting Large Suburban Small Suburban
Enrollment 6,289 4,828
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #128 #170
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fairfield.edu ithaca.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Fairfield University Ithaca College
Tuition (In State) $55,510 $50,510
Tuition (Out of State) $55,510 $50,510
Room & Board $17,400 $16,030
Avg Net Price $47,630 $34,297
Avg Grant Aid $25,877 $31,876
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 100%

Admission

Fairfield University Ithaca College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,463 12,007
Admitted 6,956 8,398
Acceptance Rate 45% 69.9%
Enrolled % 20.6% 14.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.67 -
Typical High School Grades B+ -
Admissions Standards Very High Very High
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 29/32 27/31
SAT Range 1240/1380 1190/1370
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, 2026 Feb 1, 2026

Academics

Fairfield University Ithaca College
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Communication (19%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (17%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Fairfield University Ithaca College
Graduation Rate 82% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $77,100 $56,100
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 84%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,750
Median Loan Payment $279 $266

Diversity

Fairfield University Ithaca College
% Men 7% 2%
% Women 14% 7%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 76% 71%
% Black 2% 6%
% Hispanic 7% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 8% 7%

Students

Fairfield University Ithaca College
% In-State 15% 39%
% Out-of-State 84% 57%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Fairfield University is larger than than Ithaca College based on total student enrollment (6,289 students vs. 4,828 students)

Fairfield University vs. Ithaca College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or Ithaca College?

  • Fairfield University is 9.9% more expensive to attend than Ithaca College for in-state tuition ($55,510.00 vs. $50,510.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 9.9% higher at Fairfield University than Ithaca College ($55,510.00 vs. $50,510.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ithaca College than Fairfield University ($34,297 vs. $47,630)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ithaca College are 8.5% lower than costs at Fairfield University ($16,030 vs. $17,400)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Ithaca College than Fairfield University (100% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ithaca College students is 23.2% larger than aid received Fairfield University ($31,876 vs. $25,877)

Fairfield University vs. Ithaca College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Ithaca College has a higher acceptance rate (69.9%) than Fairfield University (45%)

Fairfield University vs. Ithaca College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Fairfield University or Ithaca College? 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 Ithaca College and Fairfield University.

  • The graduation rate at Fairfield University is higher than Ithaca College (82% vs. 74%)
  • Graduates from Fairfield University earn on average $21,000 more per year than Ithaca College graduates after ten years. ($77,100 vs. $56,100)
  • Ithaca College students graduate with a $1,250 lower median federal student loan debt than Fairfield University graduates. ($25,750 vs. $27,000)
  • Ithaca College graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than Fairfield University graduates. ($266 vs. $279)
  • More Ithaca College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fairfield University students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 82%)

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