Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
Fairfield University is a private national university located in Fairfield, Connecticut. Fairfield University is moderately inclusive in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at Fairfield University is in the top 25% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $86,060 10 years after enrolling, 2nd in Connecticut, and in the top 5% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, Fairfield University bachelor students earn 27% more than the national average. Fairfield University is ranked 2nd in Connecticut.
Fairfield University’s median net annual cost of $36,633 and average years to graduate of 4.1 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at Fairfield University sorted by number of graduates - Registered Nursing, Finance, Marketing, Comms & Media Studies, Accounting, Psychology - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$36,633
Average years to graduate
4.1
Biology
Rank: #27
Economic score: 2.34
Information Systems Mgmt.
Rank: #61
Economic score: 2.43
Mathematics
Rank: #85
Economic score: 2.45
International Business
Rank: #29
Economic score: 2.66
Economics
Rank: #128
Economic score: 2.68
Mechanical Engineering
Rank: #240
Economic score: 2.93
Business Administration
Rank: #337
Economic score: 3.23
English Language & Lit
Rank: #45
Economic score: 3.71
Poli Sci/Government
Rank: #138
Economic score: 3.91
International Relations
Rank: -
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
Economic score: 6.3
EarningPlus compares the three-year post graduate earnings to the median earnings of the same graduating class, with the same graduate degree. These 2 metrics, debt-to-earnings and EarningsPlus, are combined into an economic score. The lower the economic score the better.
The most popular 6 graduate programs at Fairfield University - Accounting, Business Administration, Mental & Social Health Services, Education, Rhetoric & Composition, Registered Nursing - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Student Counseling
Rank: #138
Economic score: 0.88
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.1 years. 82% of all students graduate within 8 years including part-time students. The graduation rate at Fairfield University is 14% higher than the state average, and 15% above the average for all national universities in the country.
At Fairfield University, Pell Grant recipients represent 10% of the measured graduating class, 25% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at Fairfield University graduates within 4.1 years.
Fairfield University is in the bottom 5% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
Fairfield University’s economic mobility score of 6.96 is calculated by adjusting the 2.49 economic score of lower-income students by the 10% pell grant recipients within the student body. Fairfield University’s EMS of 6.96 ranks in the bottom 25% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Bottom 25%
The average Title IV recipient at Fairfield University pays $36,633 a year, $33,182 less than the $69,815 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $36,633
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At Fairfield University, 94% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $36,633 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 59% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $9,325. This is 5% more than the national average.
Federal grants
$5,418
Pell grants
$4,356
State grants
$3,699
Institutional grants
$23,969
Fairfield University's moderately inclusive admissions are indicated by their 56% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 12,674 applicants, of which 7,073 were admitted and 1,256 enrolled. Fairfield University doesn't have a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed after a hard admissions deadline.
Full time
99%
83%
Female
65%
59%
First time
94%
59%
In-state
20%
68%
1st generation
17%
35%
White
78%
52%
Black
2%
14%
Hispanic
7%
15%
Asian
3%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
11%
12%