Fairfield University vs. Villanova

Should I go to Fairfield University or Villanova University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Fairfield University or Villanova 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

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

BC Lehigh SHU University of Richmond Bucknell Colgate Lafayette College Providence Notre Dame Holy Cross Fordham Marist College
Fairfield University vs. Villanova University comparison
Fairfield University Villanova University College 3 College 4
Fairfield University Villanova University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Fairfield University Villanova
Location Fairfield, CT Villanova, PA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 6,019 10,383
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #138 #66
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fairfield.edu villanova.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Fairfield University Villanova
Tuition (In State) $53,630 $60,768
Tuition (Out of State) $53,630 $60,768
Room & Board $16,750 $16,087
Avg Net Price $46,065 $34,837
Avg Grant Aid $25,279 $42,834
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 52%

Admission

Fairfield University Villanova
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 13,359 23,835
Admitted 6,971 5,576
Acceptance Rate 52.2% 23.4%
Enrolled % 19.1% 31.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.67 3.87
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Very High Exceptional
Applicant Competition Low Very High
ACT Range 28/31 32/34
SAT Range 1240/1370 1378/1500
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 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

Fairfield University Villanova
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Business (32%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Engineering (11%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (8%)

Outcomes

Fairfield University Villanova
Graduation Rate 82% 90%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $77,100 $85,100
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 90%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $26,497
Median Loan Payment $279 $273

Diversity

Fairfield University Villanova
% Men 41% 46%
% Women 59% 54%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 76% 74%
% Black 2% 5%
% Hispanic 7% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 2%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 8% 1%

Students

Fairfield University Villanova
% In-State 15% 18%
% Out-of-State 84% 78%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Villanova University is larger than than Fairfield University based on total student enrollment (10,383 students vs. 6,019 students)

Fairfield University vs. Villanova Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or Villanova?

  • Villanova University is 13.3% more expensive to attend than Fairfield University for in-state tuition ($60,768.00 vs. $53,630.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 13.3% higher at Villanova than Fairfield University ($60,768.00 vs. $53,630.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Villanova University than Fairfield University ($34,837 vs. $46,065)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Villanova University are 4.1% lower than costs at Fairfield University ($16,087 vs. $16,750)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Fairfield University than Villanova University (94% vs. 52%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Villanova University students is 69.4% larger than aid received Fairfield University ($42,834 vs. $25,279)

Fairfield University vs. Villanova Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Villanova students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Fairfield University (3.67)
  • Fairfield University has a higher acceptance rate (52.2%) than Villanova (23.4%)

Fairfield University vs. Villanova Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Villanova is higher than Fairfield University (90% vs. 82%)
  • Graduates from Villanova University earn on average $8,000 more per year than Fairfield University graduates after ten years. ($85,100 vs. $77,100)
  • Villanova University students graduate with a $503 lower median federal student loan debt than Fairfield University graduates. ($26,497 vs. $27,000)
  • Villanova graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than Fairfield University graduates. ($273 vs. $279)
  • More Villanova graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fairfield University students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 82%)

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