B
Good
Score: 66/100
Overall (traditional)
A+
Outcome Rating
91/100 · earnings-weighted

Fairfield University

4-Year Private Non-Profit
📍 Fairfield, Connecticut 06824
Fairfield University campus, Fairfield, CT
Fairfield University campus, Fairfield, CT. Photo: Stagophile (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Outcomes
A
89/100
Affordability
F
13/100
Resources
B
73/100
Experience
A
88/100
Prestige
B
66/100

Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology

Quick Stats

6,289
Total Enrollment
84%
Graduation Rate
90%
Retention Rate
12.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
45%
Acceptance Rate
N/A
Avg Net Price

Earnings, Debt & Completion

What happens to students who enroll at Fairfield University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

$88,794
Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$73,693
Median earnings 6 yrs after entry
$26,000
Median debt at graduation
84.3%
Completion rate (within 150% of normal time)
1,335
Average SAT
29
Median ACT
6.9%
Students receiving Pell grants

Typical debt at graduation equals about 29% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.

Earnings rank: 94th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (CT wage index 1.23). This drives the Outcome Rating.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.

Earnings by Major at Fairfield University

Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.

Major1 yr after4 yrs aftervs. nationalRank (pay)Rank (wage-adj.)Median debt
Economics$74,023$120,303+45%#32 of 368#45$23,250
Accounting and Related Services$71,747$110,586+45%#19 of 796#44$26,633
Finance and Financial Management Services$62,952$106,663+28%#31 of 452#67$27,000
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$91,418$101,831+15%#124 of 966#354$25,000
International Business—$101,411+39%#10 of 115#15$27,000
Management Information Systems and Services—$96,937+16%#25 of 166#71—
International Relations and National Security Studies$49,239$94,347+42%#3 of 118#10$27,000
Mechanical Engineering$62,846$91,633-1%#146 of 318#288$26,644
Marketing$53,891$86,740+25%#41 of 516#92$27,000
Business Administration, Management and Operations$50,558$84,962+24%#82 of 1176#200$25,000
Mathematics—$84,078+21%#63 of 309#105$27,000
Political Science and Government$38,426$83,709+32%#31 of 565#66$27,000
Communication and Media Studies$46,677$78,081+39%#13 of 660#33$26,919
Psychology$39,890$70,211+38%#24 of 1027#49$26,000
English Language and Literature$27,206$62,527+29%#35 of 576#80$27,000

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.

For parents & investors

The Fairfield University Town Property Report

  • Avg home value near campus: $1,166,587
  • Avg rent near campus: $3,355/mo — vs ~$1,189/mo campus room rate
  • Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 06610 (5.4% cap, Bridgeport)

Get the free 1-page report: rent-vs-dorm math, the 3 best nearby ZIPs by yield, and the “kiddie condo” strategy parents use.

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🏆 Where Fairfield University Ranks

Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.

#16
Family Practice Nurse/Nursing
of 100 schools
#20
Business Analytics
of 62 schools
#27
Business Statistics
of 47 schools

Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition $55,510 $55,510
Room $10,700
Board $7,700
Total Cost (On-Campus) $76,940 $76,940

Financial Aid

98%
Receive Any Aid
6%
Receive Pell Grants
54%
Take Out Loans
N/A
Avg Net Price

Student Demographics

6,289
Total Students
59%
Women
98%
Traditional Age (18-24)

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 78%
Hispanic 8%
Black 2%
Asian 2%
Two or More 2%
Non-Resident 2%

🏠 Living Arrangements

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 72%
Hybrid (Some Online) 21%
Fully Online 6%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 98%
25-64 (Adult) 1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Fairfield University?
Fairfield University has an acceptance rate of 45%. This makes it a moderately selective institution with competitive admission standards.
How much does it cost to attend Fairfield University?
Tuition at Fairfield University is $55,510 for in-state students and $55,510 for out-of-state students .
What is the graduation rate at Fairfield University?
The graduation rate at Fairfield University is 84%. This is considered an excellent graduation rate, indicating strong student success and support systems.
Is Fairfield University a good school?
Fairfield University has a Repit College Score of 66/100 (Grade: B). Our rating evaluates five key factors:
  • Outcomes (A): Graduation and retention rates
  • Affordability (F): Net cost and financial aid access
  • Resources (B): Class sizes and selectivity
  • Experience (A): Campus life and learning format
  • Prestige (B): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Fairfield University?
Fairfield University has a total enrollment of 6,289 students. Most students (98%) are traditional college-age (18-24).

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🎓 Similar Colleges to Fairfield University

Compare with other 4-Year private non-profit institutions of similar size.

B
Connecticut College
New London, CT · 1,995 students
B
Trinity College
Hartford, CT · 2,276 students
C+
Sacred Heart University
Fairfield, CT · 11,179 students
C+
Quinnipiac University
Hamden, CT · 8,918 students
B+
Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT · 3,271 students
C+
University of Saint Joseph
West Hartford, CT · 1,939 students

Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology