Fairfield University vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Boston is larger than Fairfield University based on total student enrollment (15,575 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 Boston is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• Fairfield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Boston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairfield University 12:1; University of Massachusetts Boston 15:1.

Fairfield University vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or University of Massachusetts-Boston? 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 Boston than Fairfield University ($17,768 vs. $49,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Boston are 3.6% lower than at Fairfield University ($19,128 vs. $19,838).
• Fairfield University is 266.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Boston (about $42,442 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $15,908.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53% higher at Fairfield University than at University of Massachusetts Boston (about $20,225 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $38,125.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairfield University than at University of Massachusetts Boston (96% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fairfield University students is 87.1% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Boston students ($26,274 vs. $14,042).

Fairfield University vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fairfield University or University of Massachusetts-Boston? 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 Massachusetts-Boston and Fairfield University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fairfield University (1330) is 150 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Boston (1180).
• Incoming Fairfield University students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at University of Massachusetts-Boston).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 1260/1390; University of Massachusetts Boston 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 29/32; University of Massachusetts Boston 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairfield University - Test optional; University of Massachusetts-Boston - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027; University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Fairfield University students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at University of Massachusetts-Boston (3.35).
• University of Massachusetts-Boston has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than Fairfield University (33.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 12.3% at University of Massachusetts-Boston.

Fairfield University vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fairfield University and University of Massachusetts-Boston? 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 Massachusetts Boston's (40%).
• Graduates from Fairfield University earn a median of about $25,900 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,100 vs. $51,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Boston graduates have a $4,940 lower median loan debt than Fairfield University graduates ($22,060 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fairfield University graduates ($228 vs. $279).
• More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Boston students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 58%)

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.