Fairfield vs Mount St. Mary's University
Fairfield University and Mount St. Mary's University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Fairfield, a Jesuit university in Connecticut, boasts a higher acceptance rate (72%) compared to Mount St. Mary's (65%), a Catholic university in Maryland. While Fairfield's student body is more diverse, Mount St. Mary's has a smaller student-to-faculty ratio, fostering a more personalized learning environment. Both universities excel in certain academic areas; Fairfield is known for its strong business and nursing programs, while Mount St. Mary's is recognized for its exceptional education and criminal justice programs. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these universities' graduation rates, popular majors, and other key differences, helping you make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() Fairfield University |
![]() Mount St. Mary's University |
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Overview |
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Location | Fairfield, Connecticut | Emmitsburg, Maryland |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | Town: Fringe |
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% | 77.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | Catholic |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 55.8% | 81.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$60
Graduate:
$65
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SAT range | 1230 - 1380 | N/A |
ACT range | 27 - 31 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 24.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 7.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 12,674 | 4,620 |
Total number of admissions given out | 7,073 | 3,777 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,256 | 532 |
Yield rate | 17.8% | 14.1% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $71,860 | $55,850 |
Average net price | $44,723 | $24,471 |
Tuition | $52,070 | $43,250 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,850
Meal plan:
$6,260
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Room/dormitory:
$7,110
Meal plan:
$6,850
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
94.0%
Average amount $24,501 |
100.0%
Average amount $34,403 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
59.0%
Average amount $5,418 |
65.0%
Average amount $5,216 |
Students taking out private loans |
9.0%
Average amount $26,796 |
12.0%
Average amount $15,802 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
4,603
Men 42.1% Women 57.9% |
2,055
Men 48.6% Women 51.4% |
Graduate students |
1,223
Men 33.1% Women 66.9% |
515
Men 61.6% Women 38.4% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 84.3% | N/A |
International students | 3.7% | 3.5% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Town: Fringe |
Dormitory capacity | 3,467 | 1,483 |
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 |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 83.9% | 61.5% |
Dropout rate | 9.9% | 4.0% |
Transferred out | 6.1% | 34.2% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Theological and Ministerial Studies (Master's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Criminology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Research and Experimental Psychology (Bachelor's Degrees)
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