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SHU Georgia Providence Marist College UConn Georgia State Loyola University Maryland Bentley Emory Villanova Holy Cross KSU| Fairfield University | Mercer University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Fairfield University | Mercer | ||
| Location | Fairfield, CT | Macon, GA | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Small City | ||
| Enrollment | 6,019 | 8,889 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #138 | #236 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Roman Catholic | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | fairfield.edu | mercer.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Fairfield University | Mercer | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $53,630 | $39,408 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $53,630 | $39,408 | ||
| Room & Board | $16,750 | $14,046 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $46,065 | $22,087 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $25,279 | $33,740 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 94% | 100% |
Admission |
Fairfield University | Mercer | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 13,359 | 7,556 | ||
| Admitted | 6,971 | 5,643 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 52.2% | 74.7% | ||
| Enrolled % | 19.1% | 15.9% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.67 | 3.98 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very High | Very High | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 28/31 | 26/31 | ||
| SAT Range | 1240/1370 | 1190/1360 | ||
| 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, 2025 | Jul 1, 2025 |
Academics |
Fairfield University | Mercer | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 12:1 | 13:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Fairfield University | Mercer | ||
| Graduation Rate | 82% | 60% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $77,100 | $57,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 82% | 45% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $27,000 | $25,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $279 | $258 |
Diversity |
Fairfield University | Mercer | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 41% | 33% | ||
| % Women | 59% | 67% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Very High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 76% | 48% | ||
| % Black | 2% | 31% | ||
| % Hispanic | 7% | 5% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 1% | 3% | ||
| % International | 2% | 3% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 8% | 5% |
Students |
Fairfield University | Mercer | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 15% | 86% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 84% | 13% | ||
Campus |
Fairfield University | Mercer | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Mercer University is larger than than Fairfield University based on total student enrollment (8,889 students vs. 6,019 students)
Fairfield University vs. Mercer Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or Mercer?
- Fairfield University is 36.1% more expensive to attend than Mercer for in-state tuition ($53,630.00 vs. $39,408.00)
- Out of state tuition is 36.1% higher at Fairfield University than Mercer University ($53,630.00 vs. $39,408.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Mercer University than Fairfield University ($22,087 vs. $46,065)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercer University are 19.3% lower than costs at Fairfield University ($14,046 vs. $16,750)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Mercer University than Fairfield University (100% vs. 94%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 33.5% larger than aid received Fairfield University ($33,740 vs. $25,279)
Fairfield University vs. Mercer Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Fairfield University or Mercer? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Mercer or Fairfield University .
- Accepted freshman Mercer students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at Fairfield University (3.67)
- Mercer has a higher acceptance rate (74.7%) than Fairfield University (52.2%)
Fairfield University vs. Mercer Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Fairfield University or Mercer? 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 Mercer and Fairfield University.
- The graduation rate at Fairfield University is higher than Mercer University (82% vs. 60%)
- Graduates from Fairfield University earn on average $19,800 more per year than Mercer graduates after ten years. ($77,100 vs. $57,300)
- Mercer University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Fairfield University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
- Mercer graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Fairfield University graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
- More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 45%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/