Head-to-Head Comparison
Fairfield University vs Lafayette College
- Fairfield Wins
- 16
- Tied
- 10
- Lafayette Wins
- 24
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Lafayette College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $34,433 vs Fairfield University's $48,095, Lafayette College delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Lafayette College's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
50 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Fairfield
No clear advantage detected in core metrics.
Lafayette
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $91,410 ten years after enrollment, 3% more than Fairfield University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $34,433, roughly $13,662 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 88% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $16,000, the lower of the two
- 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?
Fairfield graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (41% of degrees); Lafayette in Social Sciences (30%). 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 Lafayette College over Fairfield University. Median earnings of $91,410 ten years after enrollment vs $88,794.
Pick Lafayette College over Fairfield University. Net price $34,433 vs $48,095.
Pick Lafayette College over Fairfield University. 1.6% mobility rate vs 1.6%.
Pick Lafayette College over Fairfield University. 88% completion rate vs 84%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Fairfield University and Lafayette College are close on paper, but Lafayette College wins the head-to-head, leading on 6 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Lafayette College is the harder admit. It takes 31% of applicants, while Fairfield University takes 33%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,335 to 1,424.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Lafayette College 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, Lafayette College comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $34,433, about $13,662 a year below Fairfield University's $48,095. Graduates of Lafayette College also borrow less: median debt of $16,000, against $26,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $54,648 before any change in aid. Choosing Lafayette College leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Lafayette College graduates report median earnings of $91,410, compared with $88,794 at Fairfield University. That is a 3% advantage. Set against borrowing, Lafayette College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.18x to 0.29x.
So what: An earnings gap of 3% 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
Lafayette College graduates a larger share of its students, 88% versus 84%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 4% 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
Lafayette College does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.6%; at Fairfield University, it is 1.6%. Lafayette College also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 2.8% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.5%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Lafayette College 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 Lafayette College to keep costs and debt down.
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
Their academic identities diverge. Fairfield University concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Communications, while Lafayette College leans toward Social Sciences, Engineering, Biology & Biomedical. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $48,095 runs well above Lafayette College's $34,433.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $26,000, against $16,000 at Lafayette College.
- Engineering-focused students: Lafayette College has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Fairfield University's enrollment of 5,373 far exceeds Lafayette College's 2,757.
- Business and consulting-track students: Lafayette College has less business program depth, and Fairfield University offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Fairfield holds onto its admits more tightly: 24% of admitted students enroll, versus 21% at Lafayette — 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 38.0%). 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
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
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.
Lafayette College
Easton, PA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of 31%, Lafayette College in Easton, PA, is an appealing choice for students who are ready to engage deeply with their education in a supportive community. It’s a great fit for those interested in fields like Social Sciences, Engineering, Biology and Biomedical Studies, Psychology, and Visual and Performing Arts. The college’s emphasis on collaborative learning and hands-on experiences really stands out, making it a place where students can explore their passions while also preparing for their careers.
After graduation, Lafayette alumni can expect to earn an impressive average of $91,410 within ten years of completing their degrees. This figure highlights the strong return on investment that a Lafayette education can offer. With a graduation rate of 88%, it’s clear that students are not just enrolling here; they’re succeeding. This high success rate indicates that the college is effectively supporting students in their academic journeys, and that many are moving on to thriving careers.
In terms of affordability, the net price after aid is around $34,433, with a median debt load of $16,000 for graduates. This manageable debt level suggests that students can graduate with less financial burden, allowing them to focus on their careers and life after college. Lafayette tends to attract motivated individuals who are eager to make the most of their college experience, contributing to a vibrant campus culture where students thrive both academically and socially.
Rankings They Appear On
Fairfield University is featured on the Best Business Colleges in Connecticut ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Fairfield's top program is Business Administration (41% of enrollment), while Lafayette leads with Sociology (30%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Fairfield) and Mechanical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Electrical Engineer (for Lafayette).
The two schools feed different job markets. Fairfield University is strongest in Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Communications, while Lafayette College concentrates in Social Sciences, Engineering, Biology & Biomedical. 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.
Fairfield
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Fairfield University or Lafayette College?
Lafayette College is harder to get into, admitting 31% of applicants compared with 33% at Fairfield University.
Which is more affordable, Fairfield University or Lafayette College?
Lafayette College is more affordable, with an average net price of $34,433 after aid versus $48,095 at Fairfield University.
Do Fairfield University or Lafayette College graduates earn more?
Lafayette College graduates earn more: median earnings of $91,410 ten years after enrollment, versus $88,794 at Fairfield University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Fairfield University or Lafayette College?
Lafayette College has the higher graduation rate, 88% versus 84%.
Fairfield University vs Lafayette College: which is better for social mobility?
Lafayette College is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.6% versus 1.6%.
Should you choose Fairfield University or Lafayette College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Lafayette College if affordability and lower debt come first. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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