Fairfield University vs. Seton Hall University

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

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Fairfield University vs. Seton Hall University comparison
Fairfield University Seton Hall University College 3 College 4
Fairfield University Seton Hall University
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Overview

Fairfield University Seton Hall University
Location Fairfield, CT South Orange, NJ
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 6,289 9,494
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #128 #243
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fairfield.edu shu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Fairfield University Seton Hall University
Tuition (In State) $55,510 $48,670
Tuition (Out of State) $55,510 $48,670
Room & Board $17,400 $17,350
Avg Net Price $47,630 $31,642
Avg Grant Aid $25,877 $33,582
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 100%

Admission

Fairfield University Seton Hall University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,463 23,748
Admitted 6,956 18,738
Acceptance Rate 45% 78.9%
Enrolled % 20.6% 8.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.67 3.64
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very High Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 29/32 27/31
SAT Range 1240/1380 1220/1400
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, 2026 Feb 1, 2026

Academics

Fairfield University Seton Hall University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)

Outcomes

Fairfield University Seton Hall University
Graduation Rate 82% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $77,100 $62,700
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $258

Diversity

Fairfield University Seton Hall University
% Men 7% 14%
% Women 14% 22%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 76% 51%
% Black 2% 10%
% Hispanic 7% 19%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 8% 5%

Students

Fairfield University Seton Hall University
% In-State 15% 71%
% Out-of-State 84% 27%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Seton Hall University is larger than than Fairfield University based on total student enrollment (9,494 students vs. 6,289 students)

Fairfield University vs. Seton Hall University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or Seton Hall University?

  • Fairfield University is 14.1% more expensive to attend than Seton Hall University for in-state tuition ($55,510.00 vs. $48,670.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 14.1% higher at Fairfield University than Seton Hall University ($55,510.00 vs. $48,670.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Seton Hall University than Fairfield University ($31,642 vs. $47,630)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Seton Hall University are 0.3% lower than costs at Fairfield University ($17,350 vs. $17,400)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Seton Hall University than Fairfield University (100% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Seton Hall University students is 29.8% larger than aid received Fairfield University ($33,582 vs. $25,877)

Fairfield University vs. Seton Hall University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Fairfield University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Seton Hall University (3.64)
  • Seton Hall University has a higher acceptance rate (78.9%) than Fairfield University (45%)

Fairfield University vs. Seton Hall University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Fairfield University or Seton Hall University? 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 Seton Hall University and Fairfield University.

  • The graduation rate at Fairfield University is higher than Seton Hall University (82% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from Fairfield University earn on average $14,400 more per year than Seton Hall University graduates after ten years. ($77,100 vs. $62,700)
  • Seton Hall University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Fairfield University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Seton Hall University graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Fairfield University graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Seton Hall University students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 71%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/