Fairfield University vs. University at Albany- SUNY

Comparable Facts

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

University at Albany is larger than Fairfield University based on total student enrollment (17,560 students vs. 6,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Fairfield University vs. University at Albany- SUNY Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or University at Albany- SUNY? 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 University at Albany than Fairfield University ($17,949 vs. $49,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University at Albany are 17.2% lower than at Fairfield University ($16,423 vs. $19,838).
• Fairfield University is 437% more expensive for in-state tuition than University at Albany- SUNY (about $47,484 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $10,866.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 86.7% higher at Fairfield University than at University at Albany (about $27,094 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $31,256.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Fairfield University as at University at Albany (96% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fairfield University students is 134.4% larger than aid received by University at Albany students ($26,274 vs. $11,210).

Fairfield University vs. University at Albany- SUNY Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fairfield University or University at Albany- SUNY? 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 University at Albany- SUNY and Fairfield University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fairfield University (1330) is 110 points higher than at University at Albany- SUNY (1220).
• Incoming Fairfield University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at University at Albany- SUNY).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 1260/1390; University at Albany 1120/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 29/32; University at Albany 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairfield University - Test optional; University at Albany- SUNY - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027; University at Albany- SUNY Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Fairfield University students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at University at Albany- SUNY (3.3).
• University at Albany- SUNY has a higher acceptance rate (69.1%) than Fairfield University (33.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 12.6% at University at Albany- SUNY.

Fairfield University vs. University at Albany- SUNY Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fairfield University and University at Albany- SUNY? 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 University at Albany's (64%).
• Graduates from Fairfield University earn a median of about $21,300 more per year than University at Albany- SUNY graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,100 vs. $55,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University at Albany graduates have a $5,935 lower median loan debt than Fairfield University graduates ($21,065 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University at Albany- SUNY graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fairfield University graduates ($217 vs. $279).
• More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University at Albany- SUNY students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 70%)

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.