Head-to-Head Comparison
Brown University vs Fairfield University
- Brown Wins
- 29
- Tied
- 14
- Fairfield Wins
- 11
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Brown University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $25,184 vs Fairfield University's $48,095, Brown University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Brown University's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Brown
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $93,487 ten years after enrollment, 5% more than Fairfield University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $25,184, roughly $22,911 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $11,428, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 5% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Fairfield
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.6%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Brown graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (25% of degrees); Fairfield in Business & Marketing (41%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Brown University over Fairfield University. Median earnings of $93,487 ten years after enrollment vs $88,794.
Pick Brown University over Fairfield University. Net price $25,184 vs $48,095.
Pick Fairfield University over Brown University. 1.6% mobility rate vs 1.4%.
Pick Brown University over Fairfield University. 96% completion rate vs 84%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Brown University and Fairfield University are close on paper, but Brown University wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Brown University is the harder admit. It takes 5% of applicants, while Fairfield University takes 33%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,546 to 1,335.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Brown University sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Brown University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $25,184, about $22,911 a year below Fairfield University's $48,095. Graduates of Brown University also borrow less: median debt of $11,428, against $26,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $91,644 before any change in aid. Choosing Brown University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Brown University graduates report median earnings of $93,487, compared with $88,794 at Fairfield University. That is a 5% advantage. Set against borrowing, Brown University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.12x to 0.29x.
So what: An earnings gap of 5% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Brown University graduates a larger share of its students, 96% versus 84%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 12% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
Fairfield University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.6%; at Brown University, it is 1.4%. Brown University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 11.5% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.5%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Fairfield University offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Brown University to keep costs and debt down; pick Fairfield University if upward mobility and access matter most.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
Brown University is harder to get into, with a 5% admit rate, but Fairfield University posts the higher mobility rate, at 1.6%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Brown University concentrates enrollment in Social Sciences, Computer Science & IT, Biology & Biomedical, while Fairfield University leans toward Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Communications. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Business and consulting-track students: Brown University has less business program depth, and Fairfield University offers the stronger options.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $48,095 runs well above Brown University's $25,184.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $26,000, against $11,428 at Brown University.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Fairfield University's enrollment, and Brown University is stronger here.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Brown holds onto its admits more tightly: 63% of admitted students enroll, versus 24% at Fairfield — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Fairfield (79.8% Early Decision admit rate vs 17.9%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice. Test scores matter less at Fairfield, where only about 19% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Brown University
Providence, RI · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 5%, Brown University in Providence, RI, is a selective option that attracts students driven to excel academically and personally. It’s a place for those who thrive in a collaborative environment and are eager to dive into programs like Social Sciences, Computer Science, Biology, Mathematics, and Engineering. The high graduation rate of 96% speaks to the strong support system in place, making it a solid choice for ambitious students.
After graduation, Brown alumni see impressive earning potential, with a median income of $93,487 ten years post-graduation. This financial trajectory suggests that graduates are not just securing jobs, but often moving into roles that reward their hard work. While this school may come with a price tag, the outcomes reflect a community that values education and shapes successful careers.
When it comes to the finances, the net price after aid stands at $25,184, and the median debt is relatively manageable at $11,428. This is encouraging, especially for students who may be concerned about student loans. Those who tend to thrive here are often self-motivated and ready to engage deeply with their studies, taking full advantage of the opportunities that come their way.
Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT · Private nonprofit
Fairfield University has an impressive graduation rate of 84%, indicating that most students successfully complete their degrees. This high rate suggests a strong support system and engaged faculty, which helps students navigate their academic journey.
According to Opportunity Insights data, Fairfield's graduates earn a median income of $88,794 ten years after enrollment. This figure points to the university’s effectiveness in preparing students for the job market, particularly in fields like Business, Health Professions, and Communications. While the Pell Grant rate stands at 7%, indicating limited access for low-income students, the potential for upward mobility remains significant for those who do enroll.
The cost of attending Fairfield is notable, with a net price of $48,095 and a median debt of $26,000. Students who thrive here are often those pursuing careers in high-demand sectors, leveraging the university's strong programs in Business and Health Professions. Graduates leave with solid earning potential, which helps to mitigate the financial burden of their education.
Rankings They Appear On
Brown University is featured on the Best Colleges in Rhode Island ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Brown's top program is Sociology (25% of enrollment), while Fairfield leads with Business Administration (41%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Brown) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Fairfield).
The two schools feed different job markets. Brown University is strongest in Social Sciences, Computer Science & IT, Biology & Biomedical, Mathematics & Statistics, while Fairfield University concentrates in Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Communications, Psychology. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Brown University or Fairfield University?
Brown University is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 33% at Fairfield University.
Which is more affordable, Brown University or Fairfield University?
Brown University is more affordable, with an average net price of $25,184 after aid versus $48,095 at Fairfield University.
Do Brown University or Fairfield University graduates earn more?
Brown University graduates earn more: median earnings of $93,487 ten years after enrollment, versus $88,794 at Fairfield University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Brown University or Fairfield University?
Brown University has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 84%.
Brown University vs Fairfield University: which is better for social mobility?
Fairfield University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.6% versus 1.4%.
Should you choose Brown University or Fairfield University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Brown University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Fairfield University if upward mobility and access to low-income students matter most. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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