Fairfield University vs. Syracuse

Deciding between Fairfield University and Syracuse 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
Syracuse University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Fairfield University Fairfield, CT
  • Syracuse Syracuse, NY
  • Setting
  • Fairfield University Large Suburban
  • Syracuse Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Fairfield University 6,864
  • Syracuse 22,589
  • Type
  • Fairfield University Private 4 Year
  • Syracuse Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Fairfield University #129
  • Syracuse #158
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Fairfield University Roman Catholic
  • Syracuse -
  • Status
  • Fairfield University Non-profit
  • Syracuse Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Fairfield University
  • Syracuse

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Fairfield University $58,350
  • Syracuse $65,528
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Fairfield University $58,350
  • Syracuse $65,528
  • Room & Board
  • Fairfield University $19,838
  • Syracuse $19,188
  • Average Net Price
  • Fairfield University $49,958
  • Syracuse $48,215
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Fairfield University $26,274
  • Syracuse $36,417
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Fairfield University 96%
  • Syracuse 76%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Fairfield University 18,509
  • Syracuse 44,480
  • Admitted
  • Fairfield University 6,162
  • Syracuse 20,427
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Fairfield University 33.3%
  • Syracuse 45.9%
  • Enrolled
  • Fairfield University 23.7%
  • Syracuse 18.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Fairfield University 1330
  • Syracuse 1360
  • Typical ACT score
  • Fairfield University 30
  • Syracuse 30
  • Average High School GPA
  • Fairfield University 3.67
  • Syracuse 3.69
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Fairfield University A-
  • Syracuse A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Fairfield University Very High
  • Syracuse Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • Fairfield University High
  • Syracuse Low
  • ACT Range
  • Fairfield University 29/32
  • Syracuse 29/32
  • SAT Range
  • Fairfield University 1260/1390
  • Syracuse 1270/1440
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Fairfield University Test optional
  • Syracuse Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027
  • Syracuse Jan 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Fairfield University 12:1
  • Syracuse 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Fairfield University
    • Business (34%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • Syracuse
    • Business (18%)
    • Communication (17%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Psychology (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Fairfield University 82%
  • Syracuse 80%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Fairfield University $77,100
  • Syracuse $65,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Fairfield University 82%
  • Syracuse 80%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Fairfield University $27,000
  • Syracuse $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Fairfield University $279
  • Syracuse $279

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Fairfield University 40%
  • Syracuse 44%
  • % Women
  • Fairfield University 60%
  • Syracuse 56%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Fairfield University Very Low
  • Syracuse High
  • HBCU
  • Fairfield University No
  • Syracuse No
  • % White
  • Fairfield University 76%
  • Syracuse 55%
  • % Asian
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • Syracuse 8%
  • % Black
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • Syracuse 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • Fairfield University 7%
  • Syracuse 11%
  • % Native American
  • Fairfield University 0%
  • Syracuse 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Fairfield University 0%
  • Syracuse 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Fairfield University 1%
  • Syracuse 3%
  • % International
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • Syracuse 12%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Fairfield University 8%
  • Syracuse 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Fairfield University 13%
  • Syracuse 31%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Fairfield University 86%
  • Syracuse 63%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

Syracuse University is larger than Fairfield University based on total student enrollment (22,589 students vs. 6,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Fairfield University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); Syracuse University is in Syracuse, NY (Midsize City setting).
  • Fairfield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Syracuse University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairfield University 12:1; Syracuse University 15:1.

Fairfield University vs. Syracuse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or Syracuse? 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 Syracuse University than Fairfield University ($48,215 vs. $49,958).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Syracuse University are 3.3% lower than at Fairfield University ($19,188 vs. $19,838).
  • Syracuse University is 12.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fairfield University (about $7,178 more per year; $65,528.00 vs. $58,350.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 12.3% higher at Syracuse than at Fairfield University (about $7,178 more per year; $65,528.00 vs. $58,350.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairfield University than at Syracuse University (96% vs. 76%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Syracuse University students is 38.6% larger than aid received by Fairfield University students ($36,417 vs. $26,274).

Fairfield University vs. Syracuse Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fairfield University or Syracuse? 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 Syracuse and Fairfield University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Syracuse University (1360) is 30 points higher than at Fairfield University (1330).
  • Incoming Fairfield University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at Syracuse (30).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 1260/1390; Syracuse University 1270/1440.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 29/32; Syracuse University 29/32.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairfield University - Test optional; Syracuse - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027; Syracuse Jan 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Syracuse students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Fairfield University (3.67).
  • Syracuse has a higher acceptance rate (45.9%) than Fairfield University (33.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 18.8% at Syracuse.

Fairfield University vs. Syracuse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fairfield University and Syracuse? 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 Syracuse University's (80%).
  • Graduates from Fairfield University earn a median of about $11,200 more per year than Syracuse graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,100 vs. $65,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Syracuse University and Fairfield University graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers in the federal data, Syracuse University and Fairfield University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
  • More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Syracuse students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 80%)

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.