Fairfield University vs. UMBC

Should I go to Fairfield University or University of Maryland Baltimore County? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Fairfield University or UMBC 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. University of Maryland Baltimore County comparison
Fairfield University University of Maryland Baltimore County College 3 College 4
Fairfield University University of Maryland Baltimore County
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Overview

Fairfield University UMBC
Location Fairfield, CT Baltimore, MD
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 6,019 13,991
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #138 #303
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fairfield.edu umbc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Fairfield University UMBC
Tuition (In State) $53,630 $9,056
Tuition (Out of State) $53,630 $25,820
Room & Board $16,750 $13,378
Avg Net Price $46,065 $17,692
Avg Grant Aid $25,279 $8,889
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 92%

Admission

Fairfield University UMBC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 13,359 11,534
Admitted 6,971 9,291
Acceptance Rate 52.2% 80.6%
Enrolled % 19.1% 23.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.67 3.97
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Very High Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 28/31 23/29
SAT Range 1240/1370 1210/1390
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 Feb 1, 2025

Academics

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

Outcomes

Fairfield University UMBC
Graduation Rate 82% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $77,100 $59,500
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 67%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $21,197
Median Loan Payment $279 $219

Diversity

Fairfield University UMBC
% Men 41% 53%
% Women 59% 47%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 76% 44%
% Black 2% 17%
% Hispanic 7% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 4%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 8% 4%

Students

Fairfield University UMBC
% In-State 15% 90%
% Out-of-State 84% 5%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Maryland Baltimore County is larger than than Fairfield University based on total student enrollment (13,991 students vs. 6,019 students)

Fairfield University vs. UMBC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or UMBC?

  • Fairfield University is 492.2% more expensive to attend than UMBC for in-state tuition ($53,630.00 vs. $9,056.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 107.7% higher at Fairfield University than University of Maryland Baltimore County ($53,630.00 vs. $25,820.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Maryland Baltimore County than Fairfield University ($17,692 vs. $46,065)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland Baltimore County are 25.2% lower than costs at Fairfield University ($13,378 vs. $16,750)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Fairfield University than University of Maryland Baltimore County (94% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fairfield University students is 184.4% larger than aid received University of Maryland Baltimore County ($25,279 vs. $8,889)

Fairfield University vs. UMBC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman UMBC students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Fairfield University (3.67)
  • UMBC has a higher acceptance rate (80.6%) than Fairfield University (52.2%)

Fairfield University vs. UMBC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Fairfield University or UMBC? 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 UMBC and Fairfield University.

  • The graduation rate at Fairfield University is higher than University of Maryland Baltimore County (82% vs. 57%)
  • Graduates from Fairfield University earn on average $17,600 more per year than UMBC graduates after ten years. ($77,100 vs. $59,500)
  • University of Maryland Baltimore County students graduate with a $5,803 lower median federal student loan debt than Fairfield University graduates. ($21,197 vs. $27,000)
  • UMBC graduates are paying $60 less per month on federal student loans than Fairfield University graduates. ($219 vs. $279)
  • More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMBC students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 67%)

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