Fairfield University vs. Old Dominion

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

Fairfield University Old Dominion
Location Fairfield, CT Norfolk, VA
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 6,289 22,541
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #128 #558
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fairfield.edu odu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Fairfield University Old Dominion
Tuition (In State) $55,510 $7,590
Tuition (Out of State) $55,510 $27,465
Room & Board $17,400 $14,592
Avg Net Price $47,630 $16,150
Avg Grant Aid $25,877 $10,006
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 94%

Admission

Fairfield University Old Dominion
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,463 15,216
Admitted 6,956 13,773
Acceptance Rate 45% 90.5%
Enrolled % 20.6% 19.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.67 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very High Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 29/32 22/27
SAT Range 1240/1380 1110/1290
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2026 Feb 1, 2026

Academics

Fairfield University Old Dominion
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • General Studies (7%)

Outcomes

Fairfield University Old Dominion
Graduation Rate 82% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $77,100 $47,600
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $23,500
Median Loan Payment $279 $242

Diversity

Fairfield University Old Dominion
% Men 7% 8%
% Women 14% 13%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 76% 47%
% Black 2% 27%
% Hispanic 7% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 6%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 8% 6%

Students

Fairfield University Old Dominion
% In-State 15% 89%
% Out-of-State 84% 6%

Campus

Fairfield University Old Dominion
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

  • Old Dominion University is larger than than Fairfield University based on total student enrollment (22,541 students vs. 6,289 students)

Fairfield University vs. Old Dominion Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or Old Dominion?

  • Fairfield University is 631.4% more expensive to attend than Old Dominion for in-state tuition ($55,510.00 vs. $7,590.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 102.1% higher at Fairfield University than Old Dominion University ($55,510.00 vs. $27,465.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Old Dominion University than Fairfield University ($16,150 vs. $47,630)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Old Dominion University are 19.2% lower than costs at Fairfield University ($14,592 vs. $17,400)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Fairfield University than Old Dominion University (95% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fairfield University students is 158.6% larger than aid received Old Dominion University ($25,877 vs. $10,006)

Fairfield University vs. Old Dominion Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Fairfield University students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Old Dominion (3.3)
  • Old Dominion has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than Fairfield University (45%)

Fairfield University vs. Old Dominion Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Fairfield University or Old Dominion? 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 Old Dominion and Fairfield University.

  • The graduation rate at Fairfield University is higher than Old Dominion University (82% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Fairfield University earn on average $29,500 more per year than Old Dominion graduates after ten years. ($77,100 vs. $47,600)
  • Old Dominion University students graduate with a $3,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Fairfield University graduates. ($23,500 vs. $27,000)
  • Old Dominion graduates are paying $37 less per month on federal student loans than Fairfield University graduates. ($242 vs. $279)
  • More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Old Dominion students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 53%)

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