Fairfield University vs. UMass

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than Fairfield University based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 6,864 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fairfield University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); University of Massachusetts Amherst is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
• Fairfield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairfield University 12:1; University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1.

Fairfield University vs. UMass Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or UMass? 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 Massachusetts Amherst than Fairfield University ($22,948 vs. $49,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Amherst are 15.8% lower than at Fairfield University ($16,710 vs. $19,838).
• Fairfield University is 228.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $40,578 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.3% higher at Fairfield University than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $17,901 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $40,449.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairfield University than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (96% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fairfield University students is 100.4% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($26,274 vs. $13,110).

Fairfield University vs. UMass Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fairfield University or UMass? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UMass and Fairfield University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Massachusetts Amherst (1410) is 80 points higher than at Fairfield University (1330).
• Incoming UMass students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Fairfield University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Fairfield University 1260/1390; University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Fairfield University 29/32; University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairfield University - Test optional; UMass - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027; UMass Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UMass students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at Fairfield University (3.67).
• UMass has a higher acceptance rate (59.7%) than Fairfield University (33.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 17.9% at UMass.

Fairfield University vs. UMass Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fairfield University and UMass? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Fairfield University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Amherst's (67%).
• Graduates from Fairfield University earn a median of about $21,900 more per year than UMass graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,100 vs. $55,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Amherst graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Fairfield University graduates ($24,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UMass graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fairfield University graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMass students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 76%)

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.