Fairfield vs Roger Williams University (RWU)
Fairfield University and Roger Williams University, 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 Roger Williams, a private university in Rhode Island. While Fairfield's student body is predominantly white, Roger Williams has a more diverse student population. In terms of academics, Fairfield excels in business, nursing, and engineering, while Roger Williams is known for its strengths in marine biology, graphic design, and education. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these universities' unique offerings and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Fairfield University |
![]() Roger Williams University |
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Overview |
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Location | Fairfield, Connecticut | Bristol, Rhode Island |
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% | 81.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 55.8% | 91.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$60
Graduate:
$65
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Undergraduate:
$55
Graduate:
$50
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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 | 8,163 |
Total number of admissions given out | 7,073 | 7,427 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,256 | 1,003 |
Yield rate | 17.8% | 13.5% |
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 | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $71,860 | $55,774 |
Average net price | $44,723 | $36,537 |
Tuition | $52,070 | $39,264 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,850
Meal plan:
$6,260
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Room/dormitory:
$9,048
Meal plan:
$6,964
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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 $20,225 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
59.0%
Average amount $5,418 |
68.0%
Average amount $3,862 |
Students taking out private loans |
9.0%
Average amount $26,796 |
25.0%
Average amount $21,353 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
4,603
Men 42.1% Women 57.9% |
4,207
Men 50.3% Women 49.7% |
Graduate students |
1,223
Men 33.1% Women 66.9% |
322
Men 41.6% Women 58.4% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 84.3% | 85.3% |
International students | 3.7% | 0.8% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 3,467 | 2,992 |
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 | Mississippi Connecticut Rhode Island New York New Hampshire |
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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 | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 83.9% | 70.3% |
Dropout rate | 9.9% | 4.4% |
Transferred out | 6.1% | 24.9% |
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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Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Architecture (Master's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Graphic Communications (Bachelor's Degrees)
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