Fairfield University vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley

Comparable Facts

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

Fairfield University is larger than Penn State Lehigh Valley based on total student enrollment (6,864 students vs. 867 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fairfield University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Lehigh Valley is in Center Valley, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Fairfield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Lehigh Valley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairfield University 12:1; Penn State Lehigh Valley 14:1.

Fairfield University vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or Penn State Lehigh Valley? 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 Lehigh Valley than Fairfield University ($19,066 vs. $49,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Lehigh Valley are 23% lower than at Fairfield University ($15,274 vs. $19,838).
• Fairfield University is 283.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Lehigh Valley (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 Lehigh Valley (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 Lehigh Valley (96% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fairfield University students is 189.8% larger than aid received by Penn State Lehigh Valley students ($26,274 vs. $9,065).

Fairfield University vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fairfield University (1330) is 100 points higher than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (1230).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 1260/1390; Penn State Lehigh Valley 1130/1320.
• 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 Lehigh Valley - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Fairfield University students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Penn State Lehigh Valley (3.42).
• Penn State Lehigh Valley has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Fairfield University (33.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 14% at Penn State Lehigh Valley.

Fairfield University vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fairfield University and Penn State Lehigh Valley? 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 Lehigh Valley's (47%).
• Graduates from Fairfield University earn a median of about $21,800 more per year than Penn State Lehigh Valley 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 Lehigh Valley graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Fairfield University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Lehigh Valley 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 Lehigh Valley 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.