Fairfield University vs. State University of New York at New Paltz

Comparable Facts

Compare Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT with State University of New York at New Paltz in New Paltz, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

State University of New York at New Paltz is larger than Fairfield University based on total student enrollment (7,898 students vs. 6,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fairfield University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); State University of New York at New Paltz is in New Paltz, NY (Town Fringe setting).
• Fairfield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. State University of New York at New Paltz is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairfield University 12:1; State University of New York at New Paltz 16:1.

Fairfield University vs. State University of New York at New Paltz Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or State University of New York at New Paltz? 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 State University of New York at New Paltz than Fairfield University ($18,051 vs. $49,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at State University of New York at New Paltz are 15.9% lower than at Fairfield University ($16,684 vs. $19,838).
• Fairfield University is 580.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than State University of New York at New Paltz (about $49,778 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $8,572.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 210% higher at Fairfield University than at State University of New York at New Paltz (about $39,528 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $18,822.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairfield University than at State University of New York at New Paltz (96% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fairfield University students is 160.5% larger than aid received by State University of New York at New Paltz students ($26,274 vs. $10,087).

Fairfield University vs. State University of New York at New Paltz Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fairfield University or State University of New York at New Paltz? 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 State University of New York at New Paltz and Fairfield University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fairfield University (1330) is 70 points higher than at State University of New York at New Paltz (1260).
• Incoming Fairfield University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at State University of New York at New Paltz).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 1260/1390; State University of New York at New Paltz 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 29/32; State University of New York at New Paltz 25/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairfield University - Test optional; State University of New York at New Paltz - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027; State University of New York at New Paltz Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Fairfield University students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at State University of New York at New Paltz (3.6).
• State University of New York at New Paltz has a higher acceptance rate (61.6%) than Fairfield University (33.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 10.7% at State University of New York at New Paltz.

Fairfield University vs. State University of New York at New Paltz Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fairfield University and State University of New York at New Paltz? 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 State University of New York at New Paltz's (69%).
• Graduates from Fairfield University earn a median of about $29,700 more per year than State University of New York at New Paltz graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,100 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, State University of New York at New Paltz graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than Fairfield University graduates ($19,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, State University of New York at New Paltz graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fairfield University graduates ($196 vs. $279).
• More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former State University of New York at New Paltz students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 72%)

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.