Fairfield University vs. UMBC

Comparable Facts

Compare Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT with University of Maryland Baltimore County in Baltimore, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Maryland Baltimore County is larger than Fairfield University based on total student enrollment (13,906 students vs. 6,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fairfield University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); University of Maryland Baltimore County is in Baltimore, MD (Large Suburban setting).
• Fairfield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Maryland Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairfield University 12:1; University of Maryland Baltimore County 17:1.

Fairfield University vs. UMBC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or UMBC? 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 Maryland Baltimore County than Fairfield University ($18,770 vs. $49,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland Baltimore County are 23.7% lower than at Fairfield University ($15,146 vs. $19,838).
• Fairfield University is 340.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMBC (about $45,094 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $13,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 86.6% higher at Fairfield University than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (about $27,075 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $31,275.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairfield University than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (96% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fairfield University students is 157.5% larger than aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students ($26,274 vs. $10,203).

Fairfield University vs. UMBC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fairfield University (1330) is the same as at UMBC (1330).
• Incoming Fairfield University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at UMBC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 1260/1390; University of Maryland Baltimore County 1240/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 29/32; University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairfield University - Test optional; UMBC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027; UMBC Feb 1, 2027.
• 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 (72.4%) than Fairfield University (33.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 21.6% at UMBC.

Fairfield University vs. UMBC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fairfield University and UMBC? 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 Maryland Baltimore County's (57%).
• Graduates from Fairfield University earn a median of about $17,600 more per year than UMBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,100 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland Baltimore County graduates have a $5,803 lower median loan debt than Fairfield University graduates ($21,197 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UMBC graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.