Fairfield University vs. Wheaton College

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

Fairfield University Wheaton College
Location Fairfield, CT Norton, MA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 6,289 1,778
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #128 #177
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fairfield.edu wheatoncollege.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Fairfield University Wheaton College
Tuition (In State) $55,510 $61,600
Tuition (Out of State) $55,510 $61,600
Room & Board $17,400 $15,430
Avg Net Price $47,630 $31,638
Avg Grant Aid $25,877 $45,217
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 96%

Admission

Fairfield University Wheaton College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,463 4,702
Admitted 6,956 3,354
Acceptance Rate 45% 71.3%
Enrolled % 20.6% 15.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.67 3.48
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very High Very High
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 29/32 29/33
SAT Range 1240/1380 1210/1420
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 Feb 15, 2025

Academics

Fairfield University Wheaton College
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Social Sciences (27%)
  • Psychology (19%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
  • Ethnic Studies (8%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Fairfield University Wheaton College
Graduation Rate 82% 77%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $77,100 $53,700
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 86%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $268

Diversity

Fairfield University Wheaton College
% Men 7% 1%
% Women 14% 1%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 76% 67%
% Black 2% 6%
% Hispanic 7% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 2% 10%
% Unknown Race 8% 1%

Students

Fairfield University Wheaton College
% In-State 15% 38%
% Out-of-State 84% 57%

Campus

Fairfield University Wheaton College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
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 Wheaton College based on total student enrollment (6,289 students vs. 1,778 students)

Fairfield University vs. Wheaton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or Wheaton College?

  • Wheaton College is 11% more expensive to attend than Fairfield University for in-state tuition ($61,600.00 vs. $55,510.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 11% higher at Wheaton College than Fairfield University ($61,600.00 vs. $55,510.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wheaton College than Fairfield University ($31,638 vs. $47,630)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College are 12.8% lower than costs at Fairfield University ($15,430 vs. $17,400)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Wheaton College than Fairfield University (96% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wheaton College students is 74.7% larger than aid received Fairfield University ($45,217 vs. $25,877)

Fairfield University vs. Wheaton College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Fairfield University students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Wheaton College (3.48)
  • Wheaton College has a higher acceptance rate (71.3%) than Fairfield University (45%)

Fairfield University vs. Wheaton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Fairfield University or Wheaton College? 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 Wheaton College and Fairfield University.

  • The graduation rate at Fairfield University is higher than Wheaton College (82% vs. 77%)
  • Graduates from Fairfield University earn on average $23,400 more per year than Wheaton College graduates after ten years. ($77,100 vs. $53,700)
  • Wheaton College students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Fairfield University graduates. ($26,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Wheaton College graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Fairfield University graduates. ($268 vs. $279)
  • More Wheaton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fairfield University students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 82%)

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