Fairfield vs Salve Regina University

Fairfield University and Salve Regina 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 Salve Regina's 67%. Fairfield's student body is more diverse, with 53% female and 47% male students, while Salve Regina's is predominantly female (63%). Both universities offer a range of popular majors, including Business, Nursing, and Psychology, but Fairfield has a higher graduation rate (84%) than Salve Regina (79%). Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Fairfield University	Salve Regina University
Overview
Location	Fairfield, Connecticut	Newport, 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%	83.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation	Catholic	Catholic

Admission
Acceptance rate	55.8%	73.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $65	$50
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	5,104
Total number of admissions given out	7,073	3,748
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,256	562
Yield rate	17.8%	15.0%
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

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$71,860	$60,790
Average net price	$44,723	$36,708
Tuition	$52,070	$43,500
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,850 Meal plan: $6,260	Room/dormitory: $9,300 Meal plan: $6,570
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 $25,847
Students receiving federal student loan	59.0% Average amount $5,418	72.0% Average amount $5,477
Students taking out private loans	9.0% Average amount $26,796	16.0% Average amount $20,662

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	4,603 Men 42.1% Women 57.9%	2,149 Men 32.1% Women 67.9%
Graduate students	1,223 Men 33.1% Women 66.9%	679 Men 34.2% Women 65.8%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Very Low	Very Low
Out-of-state students	84.3%	86.7%
International students	3.7%	1.9%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	3,467	1,285
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 Jersey

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Business Education Communication and Journalism Engineering	Business Health Professions Law Enforcement and Firefighting Education Psychology
Students to faculty ratio	12:1	13:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	83.9%	73.2%
Dropout rate	9.9%	26.6%
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	Criminal Justice and Corrections (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $57,486 Year 2: $62,260 Year 3: $82,893 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,840 Year 2: $69,477 Year 3: $74,932 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,348 Year 2: $61,888 Year 3: $67,954 Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $42,952 Year 2: $45,500 Year 3: $52,046 Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $34,234 Year 2: $30,409 Year 3: $51,017 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $52,488 Year 2: $46,478 Year 3: $50,328 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,332 Year 2: $36,042 Year 3: $49,637 Special Education and Teaching (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $44,791 Year 2: $43,426 Year 3: $49,262 Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $26,347 Year 2: $37,568 Year 3: $49,155 Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,998 Year 2: $29,141 Year 3: $48,162

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Fairfield University and Salve Regina University?

Fairfield University, located in Fairfield, Connecticut, is a Jesuit university known for its strong business, nursing, and communication programs. It tends to have a larger student body and a more suburban campus environment. Salve Regina University, situated in Newport, Rhode Island, is a Catholic university founded by the Sisters of Mercy, emphasizing liberal arts, nursing, and historic preservation. It offers a smaller, more intimate learning environment in a beautiful, historic coastal setting.
How do the academic programs compare between Fairfield and Salve Regina?

Both universities offer a range of undergraduate and graduate programs. Fairfield is particularly strong in business, engineering, and healthcare fields, while Salve Regina excels in programs like nursing, criminal justice, and the humanities, especially those related to cultural and historic preservation. Consider your specific academic interests when deciding which university aligns best with your goals.
What is the campus environment like at each university?

Fairfield University offers a more traditional suburban campus experience with a focus on student life and activities. Salve Regina boasts a stunning coastal campus in Newport, Rhode Island, with historic mansions and ocean views, creating a unique and picturesque learning environment. The atmosphere at Salve Regina is generally considered more relaxed and community-oriented due to its smaller size.
How do the student populations differ between Fairfield and Salve Regina?

Fairfield University generally has a larger undergraduate student population compared to Salve Regina. This can lead to larger class sizes in some introductory courses at Fairfield. Salve Regina's smaller size fosters a closer-knit community and potentially more individualized attention from faculty.
What are the religious affiliations of Fairfield University and Salve Regina University?

Fairfield University is a Jesuit university, meaning it is affiliated with the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) within the Catholic Church. Salve Regina University is a Catholic university founded by the Sisters of Mercy. Both institutions integrate their religious values into their curriculum and campus life, emphasizing service, social justice, and ethical leadership.
What is the cost of attendance like at Fairfield University versus Salve Regina University?

The cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room, and board) can vary between Fairfield University and Salve Regina University. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date information on tuition and fees. Also, explore the financial aid and scholarship opportunities offered by each institution to determine the net cost of attendance for your specific circumstances.
What kind of student life and extracurricular activities are available at each school?

Both universities offer a wide range of student life activities, including clubs, organizations, sports, and volunteer opportunities. Fairfield University, with its larger student body, may have a greater variety of clubs and organizations. Salve Regina offers a more intimate setting for student involvement, with opportunities to take on leadership roles and participate in campus events. Both schools have active student governments and offer opportunities for students to engage in community service.
How do the locations of Fairfield and Salve Regina impact the student experience?

Fairfield, Connecticut, offers a suburban setting with easy access to New York City, providing students with opportunities for internships, cultural experiences, and entertainment. Newport, Rhode Island, offers a unique coastal experience with beautiful beaches, historic sites, and a vibrant arts and culture scene. The location of Salve Regina provides a more relaxed and picturesque environment, while Fairfield's location offers greater access to urban amenities.
What are the career services and internship opportunities like at each university?

Both Fairfield University and Salve Regina University offer career services to help students with internships, job searches, and career planning. Fairfield's proximity to New York City may provide more internship opportunities in certain fields, particularly business and finance. Salve Regina's location in Newport offers opportunities in tourism, hospitality, and historic preservation. Both universities have strong alumni networks that can assist students in their career pursuits.
How do the graduation rates and alumni outcomes compare?

Both Fairfield University and Salve Regina University have strong graduation rates, indicating a commitment to student success. While specific alumni outcomes can vary depending on the program and individual career paths, both universities have successful alumni working in a variety of fields. Researching alumni profiles and career placement data for specific programs of interest can provide valuable insights.

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