Fairfield University vs. Penn State Mont Alto

Comparable Facts

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

Fairfield University is larger than Penn State Mont Alto based on total student enrollment (6,864 students vs. 582 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fairfield University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Mont Alto is in Mont Alto, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Fairfield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Mont Alto is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairfield University 12:1; Penn State Mont Alto 10:1.

Fairfield University vs. Penn State Mont Alto Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or Penn State Mont Alto? 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 Mont Alto than Fairfield University ($19,675 vs. $49,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Mont Alto are 27% lower than at Fairfield University ($14,474 vs. $19,838).
• Fairfield University is 305% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Mont Alto (about $43,942 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $14,408.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 141.8% higher at Fairfield University than at Penn State Mont Alto (about $34,216 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $24,134.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairfield University than at Penn State Mont Alto (96% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fairfield University students is 160% larger than aid received by Penn State Mont Alto students ($26,274 vs. $10,106).

Fairfield University vs. Penn State Mont Alto Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fairfield University (1330) is 190 points higher than at Penn State Mont Alto (1140).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 1260/1390; Penn State Mont Alto 980/1300.
• 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 Mont Alto - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027.
• Penn State Mont Alto has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than Fairfield University (33.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 24.4% at Penn State Mont Alto.

Fairfield University vs. Penn State Mont Alto Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fairfield University and Penn State Mont Alto? 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 Mont Alto's (52%).
• Graduates from Fairfield University earn a median of about $21,800 more per year than Penn State Mont Alto 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 Mont Alto graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Fairfield University graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Mont Alto 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 Mont Alto 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.