Fairfield University vs. SUNY Stony Brook

Deciding between Fairfield University and Stony Brook University? 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
Stony Brook University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • Fairfield University Fairfield, CT
  • SUNY Stony Brook Stony Brook, NY
  • Setting
  • Fairfield University Large Suburban
  • SUNY Stony Brook Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Fairfield University 6,864
  • SUNY Stony Brook 26,689
  • Type
  • Fairfield University Private 4 Year
  • SUNY Stony Brook Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Fairfield University #129
  • SUNY Stony Brook #141
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Fairfield University Roman Catholic
  • SUNY Stony Brook -
  • Status
  • Fairfield University Non-profit
  • SUNY Stony Brook Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Fairfield University
  • SUNY Stony Brook

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Fairfield University $58,350
  • SUNY Stony Brook $10,931
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Fairfield University $58,350
  • SUNY Stony Brook $32,741
  • Room & Board
  • Fairfield University $19,838
  • SUNY Stony Brook $18,196
  • Average Net Price
  • Fairfield University $49,958
  • SUNY Stony Brook $20,992
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Fairfield University $26,274
  • SUNY Stony Brook $9,285
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Fairfield University 96%
  • SUNY Stony Brook 98%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Fairfield University 18,509
  • SUNY Stony Brook 55,880
  • Admitted
  • Fairfield University 6,162
  • SUNY Stony Brook 27,406
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Fairfield University 33.3%
  • SUNY Stony Brook 49%
  • Enrolled
  • Fairfield University 23.7%
  • SUNY Stony Brook 14.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Fairfield University 1330
  • SUNY Stony Brook 1420
  • Typical ACT score
  • Fairfield University 30
  • SUNY Stony Brook 31
  • Average High School GPA
  • Fairfield University 3.67
  • SUNY Stony Brook 3.94
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Fairfield University A-
  • SUNY Stony Brook A
  • Admissions Standards
  • Fairfield University Very High
  • SUNY Stony Brook Exceptional
  • Applicant Competition
  • Fairfield University High
  • SUNY Stony Brook Low
  • ACT Range
  • Fairfield University 29/32
  • SUNY Stony Brook 29/33
  • SAT Range
  • Fairfield University 1260/1390
  • SUNY Stony Brook 1330/1500
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Fairfield University Test optional
  • SUNY Stony Brook Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027
  • SUNY Stony Brook Jan 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Fairfield University 12:1
  • SUNY Stony Brook 19:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Fairfield University
    • Business (34%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • SUNY Stony Brook
    • Social Sciences (17%)
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Biology (13%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Business (9%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Fairfield University 82%
  • SUNY Stony Brook 67%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Fairfield University $77,100
  • SUNY Stony Brook $59,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Fairfield University 82%
  • SUNY Stony Brook 73%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Fairfield University $27,000
  • SUNY Stony Brook $19,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Fairfield University $279
  • SUNY Stony Brook $196

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Fairfield University 40%
  • SUNY Stony Brook 47%
  • % Women
  • Fairfield University 60%
  • SUNY Stony Brook 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Fairfield University Very Low
  • SUNY Stony Brook Very High
  • HBCU
  • Fairfield University No
  • SUNY Stony Brook No
  • % White
  • Fairfield University 76%
  • SUNY Stony Brook 36%
  • % Asian
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • SUNY Stony Brook 24%
  • % Black
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • SUNY Stony Brook 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • Fairfield University 7%
  • SUNY Stony Brook 11%
  • % Native American
  • Fairfield University 0%
  • SUNY Stony Brook 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Fairfield University 0%
  • SUNY Stony Brook 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Fairfield University 1%
  • SUNY Stony Brook 2%
  • % International
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • SUNY Stony Brook 13%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Fairfield University 8%
  • SUNY Stony Brook 7%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Fairfield University 13%
  • SUNY Stony Brook 78%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Fairfield University 86%
  • SUNY Stony Brook 9%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT with Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Stony Brook University is larger than Fairfield University based on total student enrollment (26,689 students vs. 6,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Fairfield University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Stony Brook University is in Stony Brook, NY (Large Suburban setting).
  • Fairfield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stony Brook University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairfield University 12:1; Stony Brook University 19:1.

Fairfield University vs. SUNY Stony Brook Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or SUNY Stony Brook? 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 Stony Brook University than Fairfield University ($20,992 vs. $49,958).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Stony Brook University are 8.3% lower than at Fairfield University ($18,196 vs. $19,838).
  • Fairfield University is 433.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Stony Brook (about $47,419 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $10,931.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 78.2% higher at Fairfield University than at Stony Brook University (about $25,609 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $32,741.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stony Brook University than at Fairfield University (98% vs. 96%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fairfield University students is 183% larger than aid received by Stony Brook University students ($26,274 vs. $9,285).

Fairfield University vs. SUNY Stony Brook Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fairfield University or SUNY Stony Brook? 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 SUNY Stony Brook and Fairfield University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stony Brook University (1420) is 90 points higher than at Fairfield University (1330).
  • Incoming SUNY Stony Brook students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Fairfield University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 1260/1390; Stony Brook University 1330/1500.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 29/32; Stony Brook University 29/33.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairfield University - Test optional; SUNY Stony Brook - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027; SUNY Stony Brook Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman SUNY Stony Brook students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Fairfield University (3.67).
  • SUNY Stony Brook has a higher acceptance rate (49%) than Fairfield University (33.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 14.7% at SUNY Stony Brook.

Fairfield University vs. SUNY Stony Brook Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fairfield University and SUNY Stony Brook? 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 Stony Brook University's (67%).
  • Graduates from Fairfield University earn a median of about $17,800 more per year than SUNY Stony Brook graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,100 vs. $59,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Stony Brook University graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than Fairfield University graduates ($19,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, SUNY Stony Brook 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 SUNY Stony Brook students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 73%)

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.