Fairfield University vs. Wesleyan University

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

Fairfield University Wesleyan University
Location Fairfield, CT Middletown, CT
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 6,289 3,271
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #128 #30
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fairfield.edu wesleyan.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Fairfield University Wesleyan University
Tuition (In State) $55,510 $66,716
Tuition (Out of State) $55,510 $66,716
Room & Board $17,400 $19,034
Avg Net Price $47,630 $20,463
Avg Grant Aid $25,877 $64,709
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 38%

Admission

Fairfield University Wesleyan University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,463 14,500
Admitted 6,956 2,479
Acceptance Rate 45% 17.1%
Enrolled % 20.6% 31.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.67 -
Typical High School Grades B+ -
Admissions Standards Very High Elite
Applicant Competition Low Very High
ACT Range 29/32 33/35
SAT Range 1240/1380 1450/1540
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, 2026 Jan 1, 2026

Academics

Fairfield University Wesleyan University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 7:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Social Sciences (24%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
  • Ethnic Studies (12%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • English and Literature (8%)

Outcomes

Fairfield University Wesleyan University
Graduation Rate 82% 92%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $77,100 $58,000
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 89%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $17,500
Median Loan Payment $279 $180

Diversity

Fairfield University Wesleyan University
% Men 7% 2%
% Women 14% 4%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 76% 53%
% Black 2% 7%
% Hispanic 7% 11%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 6%
% International 2% 9%
% Unknown Race 8% 5%

Students

Fairfield University Wesleyan University
% In-State 15% 10%
% Out-of-State 84% 75%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Fairfield University is larger than than Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (6,289 students vs. 3,271 students)

Fairfield University vs. Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or Wesleyan University?

  • Wesleyan University is 20.2% more expensive to attend than Fairfield University for in-state tuition ($66,716.00 vs. $55,510.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 20.2% higher at Wesleyan University than Fairfield University ($66,716.00 vs. $55,510.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wesleyan University than Fairfield University ($20,463 vs. $47,630)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fairfield University are 9.4% lower than costs at Wesleyan University ($17,400 vs. $19,034)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Fairfield University than Wesleyan University (95% vs. 38%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wesleyan University students is 150.1% larger than aid received Fairfield University ($64,709 vs. $25,877)

Fairfield University vs. Wesleyan University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Fairfield University has a higher acceptance rate (45%) than Wesleyan University (17.1%)

Fairfield University vs. Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Wesleyan University is higher than Fairfield University (92% vs. 82%)
  • Graduates from Fairfield University earn on average $19,100 more per year than Wesleyan University graduates after ten years. ($77,100 vs. $58,000)
  • Wesleyan University students graduate with a $9,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Fairfield University graduates. ($17,500 vs. $27,000)
  • Wesleyan University graduates are paying $99 less per month on federal student loans than Fairfield University graduates. ($180 vs. $279)
  • More Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fairfield University students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 82%)

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