Fairfield University vs. Penn State Brandywine

Comparable Facts

Compare Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT with Penn State Brandywine in Media, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fairfield University is larger than Penn State Brandywine based on total student enrollment (6,864 students vs. 1,236 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fairfield University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Brandywine is in Media, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Fairfield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Brandywine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairfield University 12:1; Penn State Brandywine 15:1.

Fairfield University vs. Penn State Brandywine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or Penn State Brandywine? 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 Penn State Brandywine than Fairfield University ($22,710 vs. $49,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Brandywine are 27% lower than at Fairfield University ($14,474 vs. $19,838).
• Fairfield University is 283.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Brandywine (about $43,142 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 129.8% higher at Fairfield University than at Penn State Brandywine (about $32,958 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairfield University than at Penn State Brandywine (96% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fairfield University students is 188.3% larger than aid received by Penn State Brandywine students ($26,274 vs. $9,113).

Fairfield University vs. Penn State Brandywine Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fairfield University or Penn State Brandywine? 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 Penn State Brandywine and Fairfield University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fairfield University (1330) is 130 points higher than at Penn State Brandywine (1200).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 1260/1390; Penn State Brandywine 1080/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairfield University - Test optional; Penn State Brandywine - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027.
• Penn State Brandywine has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Fairfield University (33.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 16.8% at Penn State Brandywine.

Fairfield University vs. Penn State Brandywine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fairfield University and Penn State Brandywine? 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 Penn State Brandywine's (37%).
• Graduates from Fairfield University earn a median of about $21,800 more per year than Penn State Brandywine graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,100 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State Brandywine graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Fairfield University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Brandywine graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fairfield University graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Brandywine students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 69%)

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.