Fairfield University vs. Rutgers

Deciding between Fairfield University and Rutgers University New Brunswick? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Fairfield University
Rutgers University New Brunswick

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • Fairfield University Fairfield, CT
  • Rutgers New Brunswick, NJ
  • Setting
  • Fairfield University Large Suburban
  • Rutgers Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Fairfield University 6,864
  • Rutgers 52,269
  • Type
  • Fairfield University Private 4 Year
  • Rutgers Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Fairfield University #129
  • Rutgers #114
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Fairfield University Roman Catholic
  • Rutgers -
  • Status
  • Fairfield University Non-profit
  • Rutgers Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Fairfield University
  • Rutgers

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Fairfield University $58,350
  • Rutgers $17,929
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Fairfield University $58,350
  • Rutgers $37,441
  • Room & Board
  • Fairfield University $19,838
  • Rutgers $15,714
  • Average Net Price
  • Fairfield University $49,958
  • Rutgers $20,522
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Fairfield University $26,274
  • Rutgers $16,742
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Fairfield University 96%
  • Rutgers 50%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Fairfield University 18,509
  • Rutgers 68,614
  • Admitted
  • Fairfield University 6,162
  • Rutgers 39,899
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Fairfield University 33.3%
  • Rutgers 58.1%
  • Enrolled
  • Fairfield University 23.7%
  • Rutgers 20.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Fairfield University 1330
  • Rutgers 1410
  • Typical ACT score
  • Fairfield University 30
  • Rutgers 30
  • Average High School GPA
  • Fairfield University 3.67
  • Rutgers 3.3
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Fairfield University A-
  • Rutgers B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Fairfield University Very High
  • Rutgers Exceptional
  • Applicant Competition
  • Fairfield University High
  • Rutgers Low
  • ACT Range
  • Fairfield University 29/32
  • Rutgers 28/33
  • SAT Range
  • Fairfield University 1260/1390
  • Rutgers 1310/1500
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Fairfield University Test optional
  • Rutgers Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027
  • Rutgers

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Fairfield University 12:1
  • Rutgers 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Fairfield University
    • Business (34%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • Rutgers
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Engineering (8%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Fairfield University 82%
  • Rutgers 77%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Fairfield University $77,100
  • Rutgers $66,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Fairfield University 82%
  • Rutgers 68%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Fairfield University $27,000
  • Rutgers $22,215
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Fairfield University $279
  • Rutgers $229

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Fairfield University 40%
  • Rutgers 46%
  • % Women
  • Fairfield University 60%
  • Rutgers 54%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Fairfield University Very Low
  • Rutgers Very High
  • HBCU
  • Fairfield University No
  • Rutgers No
  • % White
  • Fairfield University 76%
  • Rutgers 42%
  • % Asian
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • Rutgers 26%
  • % Black
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • Rutgers 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • Fairfield University 7%
  • Rutgers 13%
  • % Native American
  • Fairfield University 0%
  • Rutgers 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Fairfield University 0%
  • Rutgers 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Fairfield University 1%
  • Rutgers 3%
  • % International
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • Rutgers 7%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Fairfield University 8%
  • Rutgers 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Fairfield University 13%
  • Rutgers 75%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Fairfield University 86%
  • Rutgers 13%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Fairfield University Yes
  • Rutgers Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Fairfield University No
  • Rutgers No
  • Meal Plan
  • Fairfield University Yes
  • Rutgers Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Fairfield University Yes
  • Rutgers Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Fairfield University Yes
  • Rutgers Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT with Rutgers University New Brunswick in New Brunswick, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rutgers University New Brunswick is larger than Fairfield University based on total student enrollment (52,269 students vs. 6,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Fairfield University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Rutgers University New Brunswick is in New Brunswick, NJ (Small City setting).
  • Fairfield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairfield University 12:1; Rutgers University New Brunswick 16:1.

Fairfield University vs. Rutgers Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or Rutgers? 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 Rutgers University New Brunswick than Fairfield University ($20,522 vs. $49,958).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rutgers University New Brunswick are 20.8% lower than at Fairfield University ($15,714 vs. $19,838).
  • Fairfield University is 225.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rutgers (about $40,421 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $17,929.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 55.8% higher at Fairfield University than at Rutgers University New Brunswick (about $20,909 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $37,441.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairfield University than at Rutgers University New Brunswick (96% vs. 50%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fairfield University students is 56.9% larger than aid received by Rutgers University New Brunswick students ($26,274 vs. $16,742).

Fairfield University vs. Rutgers Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fairfield University or Rutgers? 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 Rutgers and Fairfield University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rutgers University New Brunswick (1410) is 80 points higher than at Fairfield University (1330).
  • Incoming Fairfield University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at Rutgers (30).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 1260/1390; Rutgers University New Brunswick 1310/1500.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 29/32; Rutgers University New Brunswick 28/33.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairfield University - Test optional; Rutgers - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Fairfield University students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Rutgers (3.3).
  • Rutgers has a higher acceptance rate (58.1%) than Fairfield University (33.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 20.5% at Rutgers.

Fairfield University vs. Rutgers Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fairfield University and Rutgers? 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 Rutgers University New Brunswick's (77%).
  • Graduates from Fairfield University earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than Rutgers graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,100 vs. $66,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates have a $4,785 lower median loan debt than Fairfield University graduates ($22,215 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Rutgers graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fairfield University graduates ($229 vs. $279).
  • More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rutgers students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 68%)

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.