Fairfield vs Iona College

Fairfield University and Iona College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Fairfield, a Jesuit university in Connecticut, boasts a lower acceptance rate and a higher graduation rate compared to Iona, a private Catholic college in New York. While Fairfield's student body is predominantly white, Iona's is more diverse, reflecting the vibrant tapestry of the New York metropolitan area. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further differences, including popular majors, financial aid opportunities, and campus life, to determine which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Fairfield University	Iona College
Overview
Location	Fairfield, Connecticut	New Rochelle, New York
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	89.0%	70.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation	Catholic	Catholic

Admission
Acceptance rate	55.8%	92.6%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $65
SAT range	1230 - 1380	1060 - 1260
ACT range	27 - 31	23 - 29
Students submitting SAT score	24.0%	12.0%
Students submitting ACT score	7.0%	3.0%
Total number of applicants	12,674	6,625
Total number of admissions given out	7,073	6,132
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,256	697
Yield rate	17.8%	11.4%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$71,860	$62,872
Average net price	$44,723	$28,596
Tuition	$52,070	$40,628
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,850 Meal plan: $6,260	$17,222
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	94.0% Average amount $24,501	100.0% Average amount $25,664
Students receiving federal student loan	59.0% Average amount $5,418	56.0% Average amount $5,363
Students taking out private loans	9.0% Average amount $26,796	13.0% Average amount $17,969

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	4,603 Men 42.1% Women 57.9%	2,994 Men 48.0% Women 52.0%
Graduate students	1,223 Men 33.1% Women 66.9%	623 Men 35.6% Women 64.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Very Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	84.3%	N/A
International students	3.7%	3.0%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	3,467	1,255
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Mississippi New York New Jersey Connecticut Pennsylvania	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Business Education Communication and Journalism Engineering	Health Professions Business Education Psychology Communication and Journalism
Students to faculty ratio	12:1	15:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	83.9%	61.9%
Dropout rate	9.9%	37.6%
Transferred out	6.1%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $138,401 Year 2: $150,874 Year 3: $145,506 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $112,773 Year 2: $104,749 Year 3: $112,599 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,022 Year 2: $64,608 Year 3: $82,549 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $76,774 Year 2: $76,749 Year 3: $80,847 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $67,102 Year 2: $68,363 Year 3: $80,620 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,421 Year 2: $62,343 Year 3: $76,092 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $75,987 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,682 Year 2: $68,666 Year 3: $75,412 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $53,920 Year 2: $52,607 Year 3: $71,880 Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $70,429	Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $65,202 Year 2: $67,899 Year 3: $80,765 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $58,150 Year 2: $70,456 Year 3: $75,839 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $50,270 Year 3: $62,046 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $48,207 Year 2: $52,107 Year 3: $58,498 Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $47,510 Year 2: $40,269 Year 3: $50,566 Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $32,997 Year 2: $36,488 Year 3: $48,599 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $46,640 Year 2: $41,193 Year 3: $47,865 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $31,977 Year 2: $31,314 Year 3: $47,301 Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $33,114 Year 2: $35,327 Year 3: $41,334 Marketing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $57,755 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Fairfield University and Iona College?

Fairfield University is a mid-sized Jesuit university known for its strong liberal arts core and business programs, located in a suburban setting. Iona College, also a Jesuit institution, is smaller and offers a more career-focused education, particularly in business, communications, and the arts, with a location that blends suburban and urban elements.
How do the academic programs at Fairfield University and Iona College compare?

Fairfield University excels in business, nursing, and communication, with a strong emphasis on liberal arts. Iona College is recognized for its business school, communications programs, and performing arts, offering a more direct path to career readiness in these fields. Both offer a range of undergraduate and graduate programs.
What is the campus environment like at Fairfield University versus Iona College?

Fairfield University boasts a traditional, picturesque campus with a strong sense of community and active student life. Iona College has a more compact campus with a blend of traditional and modern facilities, fostering a close-knit environment with a focus on student engagement.
How do the locations of Fairfield University and Iona College differ?

Fairfield University is situated in the affluent suburban town of Fairfield, Connecticut, offering a quieter, more residential setting. Iona College is located in New Rochelle, New York, providing a blend of suburban and urban experiences with easy access to New York City.
What is the student body size and diversity like at each school?

Fairfield University has a larger student body than Iona College, with a growing emphasis on diversity. Iona College has a smaller, more intimate student body, also committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community.
How do the costs of attending Fairfield University and Iona College compare?

Generally, Fairfield University has a higher tuition cost compared to Iona College. However, both institutions offer financial aid and scholarships to help students manage expenses. It's best to check each school's website for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information.
What are the athletic programs like at Fairfield University and Iona College?

Fairfield University competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Fairfield Stags, with a strong basketball program and a wide range of other sports. Iona College, as the Iona Gaels, also competes in NCAA Division I, with a notable basketball program and a variety of other competitive sports.
What kind of student would thrive at Fairfield University versus Iona College?

Fairfield University is a good fit for students seeking a well-rounded education with a strong liberal arts foundation in a traditional campus setting. Iona College is ideal for students who want a career-focused education with a close-knit community and easy access to urban opportunities.
Do Fairfield University and Iona College have similar religious affiliations?

Yes, both Fairfield University and Iona College are Jesuit institutions, meaning they are rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition and emphasize values such as social justice, service, and ethical leadership.
What are the career services and internship opportunities like at each school?

Both Fairfield University and Iona College offer comprehensive career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, and job fairs. Iona College's proximity to New York City provides students with a wealth of internship opportunities in various industries, while Fairfield University leverages its location in the New York metropolitan area to offer similar opportunities.

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