Fairfield University vs. Penn State Brandywine

Should I go to Fairfield University or Penn State Brandywine? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Fairfield University or Penn State Brandywine 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

SHU Providence Marist College UConn Loyola University Maryland Bentley Penn State Abington Villanova Holy Cross Fordham Elon BC
Fairfield University vs. Penn State Brandywine comparison
Fairfield University Penn State Brandywine College 3 College 4
Fairfield University Penn State Brandywine
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Fairfield University Penn State Brandywine
Location Fairfield, CT Media, PA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 6,019 1,196
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #138 #729
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fairfield.edu psu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Fairfield University Penn State Brandywine
Tuition (In State) $53,630 $14,624
Tuition (Out of State) $53,630 $24,318
Room & Board $16,750 $13,930
Avg Net Price $46,065 $21,600
Avg Grant Aid $25,279 $9,638
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 70%

Admission

Fairfield University Penn State Brandywine
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 13,359 2,440
Admitted 6,971 2,347
Acceptance Rate 52.2% 96.2%
Enrolled % 19.1% 17%
Avg High School GPA 3.67 -
Typical High School Grades B+ -
Admissions Standards Very High Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 28/31 23/31
SAT Range 1240/1370 1070/1285
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

Academics

Fairfield University Penn State Brandywine
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Business (28%)
  • Work and Family Studies (28%)
  • Communication (23%)
  • Ethnic Studies (6%)
  • Education (5%)

Outcomes

Fairfield University Penn State Brandywine
Graduation Rate 82% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $77,100 $55,300
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $26,818
Median Loan Payment $279 $277

Diversity

Fairfield University Penn State Brandywine
% Men 41% 61%
% Women 59% 39%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 76% 63%
% Black 2% 15%
% Hispanic 7% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 2%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 8% 2%

Students

Fairfield University Penn State Brandywine
% In-State 15% 74%
% Out-of-State 84% 24%

Campus

Fairfield University Penn State Brandywine
Campus Housing Yes No
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Fairfield University is larger than than Penn State Brandywine based on total student enrollment (6,019 students vs. 1,196 students)

Fairfield University vs. Penn State Brandywine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or Penn State Brandywine?

  • Fairfield University is 266.7% more expensive to attend than Penn State Brandywine for in-state tuition ($53,630.00 vs. $14,624.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 120.5% higher at Fairfield University than Penn State Brandywine ($53,630.00 vs. $24,318.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Penn State Brandywine than Fairfield University ($21,600 vs. $46,065)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Brandywine are 20.2% lower than costs at Fairfield University ($13,930 vs. $16,750)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Fairfield University than Penn State Brandywine (94% vs. 70%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fairfield University students is 162.3% larger than aid received Penn State Brandywine ($25,279 vs. $9,638)

Fairfield University vs. Penn State Brandywine Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Penn State Brandywine has a higher acceptance rate (96.2%) than Fairfield University (52.2%)

Fairfield University vs. Penn State Brandywine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Fairfield University or Penn State Brandywine? 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 Penn State Brandywine and Fairfield University.

  • The graduation rate at Fairfield University is higher than Penn State Brandywine (82% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Fairfield University earn on average $21,800 more per year than Penn State Brandywine graduates after ten years. ($77,100 vs. $55,300)
  • Penn State Brandywine students graduate with a $182 lower median federal student loan debt than Fairfield University graduates. ($26,818 vs. $27,000)
  • Penn State Brandywine graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans 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/