Fairfield University vs. Purchase College

Should I go to Fairfield University or SUNY at Purchase College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Fairfield University or Purchase College 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. SUNY at Purchase College comparison
Fairfield University SUNY at Purchase College College 3 College 4
Fairfield University SUNY at Purchase College
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Overview

Fairfield University Purchase College
Location Fairfield, CT Purchase, NY
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 6,289 3,229
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #128 #297
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fairfield.edu purchase.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Fairfield University Purchase College
Tuition (In State) $55,510 $7,070
Tuition (Out of State) $55,510 $16,980
Room & Board $17,400 $15,400
Avg Net Price $47,630 $18,651
Avg Grant Aid $25,877 $9,627
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 72%

Admission

Fairfield University Purchase College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,463 7,221
Admitted 6,956 5,259
Acceptance Rate 45% 72.8%
Enrolled % 20.6% 14.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.67 3.37
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very High Very High
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 29/32 27/32
SAT Range 1240/1380 1178/1363
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, 2025 Jul 1, 2025

Academics

Fairfield University Purchase College
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (37%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (22%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • English and Literature (6%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

Fairfield University Purchase College
Graduation Rate 82% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $77,100 $40,200
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 65%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $279 $232

Diversity

Fairfield University Purchase College
% Men 7% 1%
% Women 14% 1%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 76% 55%
% Black 2% 10%
% Hispanic 7% 18%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 5%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 8% 7%

Students

Fairfield University Purchase College
% In-State 15% 78%
% Out-of-State 84% 21%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Fairfield University is larger than than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (6,289 students vs. 3,229 students)

Fairfield University vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or Purchase College?

  • Fairfield University is 685.1% more expensive to attend than Purchase College for in-state tuition ($55,510.00 vs. $7,070.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 226.9% higher at Fairfield University than SUNY at Purchase College ($55,510.00 vs. $16,980.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at SUNY at Purchase College than Fairfield University ($18,651 vs. $47,630)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 13% lower than costs at Fairfield University ($15,400 vs. $17,400)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Fairfield University than SUNY at Purchase College (95% vs. 72%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fairfield University students is 168.8% larger than aid received SUNY at Purchase College ($25,877 vs. $9,627)

Fairfield University vs. Purchase College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Fairfield University students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Purchase College (3.37)
  • Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (72.8%) than Fairfield University (45%)

Fairfield University vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Fairfield University or Purchase College? 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 Purchase College and Fairfield University.

  • The graduation rate at Fairfield University is higher than SUNY at Purchase College (82% vs. 56%)
  • Graduates from Fairfield University earn on average $36,900 more per year than Purchase College graduates after ten years. ($77,100 vs. $40,200)
  • SUNY at Purchase College students graduate with a $4,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Fairfield University graduates. ($22,500 vs. $27,000)
  • Purchase College graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than Fairfield University graduates. ($232 vs. $279)
  • More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 65%)

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