Fairfield University vs. Middlebury

Comparable Facts

Compare Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT with Middlebury College in Middlebury, VT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fairfield University is larger than Middlebury based on total student enrollment (6,864 students vs. 2,803 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fairfield University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Middlebury College is in Middlebury, VT (Rural Fringe setting).
• Fairfield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Middlebury College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairfield University 12:1; Middlebury College 8:1.

Fairfield University vs. Middlebury Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or Middlebury? 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 Middlebury College than Fairfield University ($26,233 vs. $49,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Middlebury College are 3% lower than at Fairfield University ($19,250 vs. $19,838).
• Middlebury College is 15.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fairfield University (about $9,250 more per year; $67,600.00 vs. $58,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.9% higher at Middlebury than at Fairfield University (about $9,250 more per year; $67,600.00 vs. $58,350.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairfield University than at Middlebury College (96% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Middlebury College students is 127% larger than aid received by Fairfield University students ($59,647 vs. $26,274).

Fairfield University vs. Middlebury Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Middlebury College (1500) is 170 points higher than at Fairfield University (1330).
• Incoming Middlebury students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Fairfield University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 1260/1390; Middlebury College 1445/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 29/32; Middlebury College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairfield University - Test optional; Middlebury - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027; Middlebury Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Middlebury students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Fairfield University (3.67).
• Fairfield University has a higher acceptance rate (33.3%) than Middlebury (10.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 44.4% at Middlebury.

Fairfield University vs. Middlebury Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Middlebury College's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Fairfield University's (82%).
• Graduates from Fairfield University earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than Middlebury graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,100 vs. $72,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Middlebury College graduates have a $11,111 lower median loan debt than Fairfield University graduates ($15,889 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Middlebury graduates have an estimated $115 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fairfield University graduates ($164 vs. $279).
• More Middlebury graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fairfield University students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 82%)

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.