Fairfield University vs. University of Dayton

Deciding between Fairfield University and University of Dayton? 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
University of Dayton

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Fairfield University Fairfield, CT
  • University of Dayton Dayton, OH
  • Setting
  • Fairfield University Large Suburban
  • University of Dayton Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Fairfield University 6,864
  • University of Dayton 10,506
  • Type
  • Fairfield University Private 4 Year
  • University of Dayton Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Fairfield University #129
  • University of Dayton #204
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Fairfield University Roman Catholic
  • University of Dayton Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • Fairfield University Non-profit
  • University of Dayton Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Fairfield University
  • University of Dayton

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Fairfield University $58,350
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Fairfield University $58,350
  • University of Dayton $49,140
  • Room & Board
  • Fairfield University $19,838
  • University of Dayton $16,800
  • Average Net Price
  • Fairfield University $49,958
  • University of Dayton $32,794
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Fairfield University $26,274
  • University of Dayton $33,418
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Fairfield University 96%
  • University of Dayton 95%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Fairfield University 18,509
  • University of Dayton 21,981
  • Admitted
  • Fairfield University 6,162
  • University of Dayton 14,386
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Fairfield University 33.3%
  • University of Dayton 65.4%
  • Enrolled
  • Fairfield University 23.7%
  • University of Dayton 11.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Fairfield University 1330
  • University of Dayton 1290
  • Typical ACT score
  • Fairfield University 30
  • University of Dayton 28
  • Average High School GPA
  • Fairfield University 3.67
  • University of Dayton 3.77
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Fairfield University A-
  • University of Dayton A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Fairfield University Very High
  • University of Dayton Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • Fairfield University High
  • University of Dayton Low
  • ACT Range
  • Fairfield University 29/32
  • University of Dayton 25/31
  • SAT Range
  • Fairfield University 1260/1390
  • University of Dayton 1200/1380
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Fairfield University Test optional
  • University of Dayton Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027
  • University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Fairfield University 12:1
  • University of Dayton 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Fairfield University
    • Business (34%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • University of Dayton
    • Business (28%)
    • Engineering (13%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Health Professions (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Fairfield University 82%
  • University of Dayton 74%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Fairfield University $77,100
  • University of Dayton $57,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Fairfield University 82%
  • University of Dayton 84%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Fairfield University $27,000
  • University of Dayton $26,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Fairfield University $279
  • University of Dayton $268

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Fairfield University 40%
  • University of Dayton 52%
  • % Women
  • Fairfield University 60%
  • University of Dayton 48%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Fairfield University Very Low
  • University of Dayton Low
  • HBCU
  • Fairfield University No
  • University of Dayton No
  • % White
  • Fairfield University 76%
  • University of Dayton 78%
  • % Asian
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • University of Dayton 1%
  • % Black
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • University of Dayton 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • Fairfield University 7%
  • University of Dayton 3%
  • % Native American
  • Fairfield University 0%
  • University of Dayton 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Fairfield University 0%
  • University of Dayton 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Fairfield University 1%
  • University of Dayton 2%
  • % International
  • Fairfield University 2%
  • University of Dayton 11%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Fairfield University 8%
  • University of Dayton 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Fairfield University 13%
  • University of Dayton 54%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Fairfield University 86%
  • University of Dayton 41%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

University of Dayton is larger than Fairfield University based on total student enrollment (10,506 students vs. 6,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Fairfield University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); University of Dayton is in Dayton, OH (Midsize City setting).
  • Fairfield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Dayton is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairfield University 12:1; University of Dayton 14:1.

Fairfield University vs. University of Dayton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or University of Dayton? 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 of Dayton than Fairfield University ($32,794 vs. $49,958).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Dayton are 15.3% lower than at Fairfield University ($16,800 vs. $19,838).
  • Fairfield University is 18.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Dayton (about $9,210 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $49,140.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 18.7% higher at Fairfield University than at University of Dayton (about $9,210 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $49,140.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairfield University than at University of Dayton (96% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Dayton students is 27.2% larger than aid received by Fairfield University students ($33,418 vs. $26,274).

Fairfield University vs. University of Dayton Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fairfield University (1330) is 40 points higher than at University of Dayton (1290).
  • Incoming Fairfield University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at University of Dayton).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 1260/1390; University of Dayton 1200/1380.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 29/32; University of Dayton 25/31.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairfield University - Test optional; University of Dayton - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027; University of Dayton Feb 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Dayton students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Fairfield University (3.67).
  • University of Dayton has a higher acceptance rate (65.4%) than Fairfield University (33.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 11.7% at University of Dayton.

Fairfield University vs. University of Dayton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fairfield University and University of Dayton? 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 of Dayton's (74%).
  • Graduates from Fairfield University earn a median of about $19,800 more per year than University of Dayton graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,100 vs. $57,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Dayton graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Fairfield University graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, University of Dayton graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fairfield University graduates ($268 vs. $279).
  • More University of Dayton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fairfield University students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 82%)

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.