Fairfield University vs. Loyola

Deciding between Fairfield University and Loyola University Chicago? 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
Loyola University Chicago

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • Fairfield University Fairfield, CT
  • Loyola Chicago, IL
  • Setting
  • Fairfield University Large Suburban
  • Loyola Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Fairfield University 6,864
  • Loyola 17,384
  • Type
  • Fairfield University Private 4 Year
  • Loyola Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Fairfield University #129
  • Loyola #210
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Fairfield University Roman Catholic
  • Loyola Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • Fairfield University Non-profit
  • Loyola Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Fairfield University
  • Loyola

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Fairfield University $58,350
  • Loyola $53,710
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Fairfield University $58,350
  • Loyola $53,710
  • Room & Board
  • Fairfield University $19,838
  • Loyola $17,010
  • Average Net Price
  • Fairfield University $49,958
  • Loyola $39,147
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Fairfield University $26,274
  • Loyola $28,816
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Fairfield University 96%
  • Loyola 98%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Fairfield University 18,509
  • Loyola 39,315
  • Admitted
  • Fairfield University 6,162
  • Loyola 32,081
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Fairfield University 33.3%
  • Loyola 81.6%
  • Enrolled
  • Fairfield University 23.7%
  • Loyola 8.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Fairfield University 1330
  • Loyola 1270
  • Typical ACT score
  • Fairfield University 30
  • Loyola 29
  • Average High School GPA
  • Fairfield University 3.67
  • Loyola 3.71
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Fairfield University A-
  • Loyola A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Fairfield University Very High
  • Loyola Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • Fairfield University High
  • Loyola
  • ACT Range
  • Fairfield University 29/32
  • Loyola 27/32
  • SAT Range
  • Fairfield University 1260/1390
  • Loyola 1170/1360
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Fairfield University Test optional
  • Loyola Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027
  • Loyola

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Fairfield University 12:1
  • Loyola 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Fairfield University
    • Business (34%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • Loyola
    • Business (24%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Health Professions (8%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Fairfield University 82%
  • Loyola 70%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Fairfield University $77,100
  • Loyola $59,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Fairfield University 82%
  • Loyola 76%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Fairfield University $27,000
  • Loyola $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Fairfield University $279
  • Loyola $258

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Fairfield University 40%
  • Loyola 31%
  • % Women
  • Fairfield University 60%
  • Loyola 69%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Fairfield University Very Low
  • Loyola High
  • HBCU
  • Fairfield University No
  • Loyola No
  • % White
  • Fairfield University 76%
  • Loyola 58%
  • % Asian
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • Loyola 12%
  • % Black
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • Loyola 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • Fairfield University 7%
  • Loyola 14%
  • % Native American
  • Fairfield University 0%
  • Loyola 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Fairfield University 0%
  • Loyola 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Fairfield University 1%
  • Loyola 5%
  • % International
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • Loyola 5%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Fairfield University 8%
  • Loyola 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Fairfield University 13%
  • Loyola 56%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Fairfield University 86%
  • Loyola 42%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

Loyola University Chicago is larger than Fairfield University based on total student enrollment (17,384 students vs. 6,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Fairfield University vs. Loyola Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or Loyola? 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 Loyola University Chicago than Fairfield University ($39,147 vs. $49,958).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Loyola University Chicago are 14.3% lower than at Fairfield University ($17,010 vs. $19,838).
  • Fairfield University is 8.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Loyola (about $4,640 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $53,710.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8.6% higher at Fairfield University than at Loyola University Chicago (about $4,640 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $53,710.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loyola University Chicago than at Fairfield University (98% vs. 96%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Loyola University Chicago students is 9.7% larger than aid received by Fairfield University students ($28,816 vs. $26,274).

Fairfield University vs. Loyola Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fairfield University (1330) is 60 points higher than at Loyola (1270).
  • Incoming Fairfield University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at Loyola).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 1260/1390; Loyola University Chicago 1170/1360.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 29/32; Loyola University Chicago 27/32.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairfield University - Test optional; Loyola - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Loyola students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Fairfield University (3.67).
  • Loyola has a higher acceptance rate (81.6%) than Fairfield University (33.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 8.6% at Loyola.

Fairfield University vs. Loyola Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fairfield University and Loyola? 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 Loyola University Chicago's (70%).
  • Graduates from Fairfield University earn a median of about $17,300 more per year than Loyola graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,100 vs. $59,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Loyola University Chicago graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Fairfield University graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Loyola graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fairfield University graduates ($258 vs. $279).
  • More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Loyola students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 76%)

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.