Fairfield, CT
Fairfield University is a private nonprofit institution located in Fairfield, Connecticut, in a large suburban setting. The university enrolls approximately 5,373 undergraduates and maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1.
Fairfield University admitted 33.3% of applicants, indicating selective admissions where applicants typically present strong academic credentials, including an average high school GPA of 3.76 and SAT scores in the 630-690 range.
| Applied | Admitted | Rate | Enrolled | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 6,109 | 2,860 | 46.8% | 608 |
| Women | 9,354 | 4,096 | 43.8% | 828 |
Fairfield University admits 33.3% of applicants — a typical similar college admits 74%.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Fairfield University's cost of attendance is $81,368, while the average net price students pay is $48,095, meaning most students pay considerably less than the sticker price.
* One or more income brackets show an unusually low net price, reflecting need-based aid that can reduce cost to near zero for families in that range.
Graduates who borrowed carry a median monthly repayment of about $276.
After aid, Fairfield University costs $48,095 a year — about 113% more than a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Fairfield University has an 84.1% graduation rate. Graduates earn a median of $73,693 six years after entry and $88,794 ten years after entry.
| Major | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Finance, General | 202 |
| Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse | 184 |
| Marketing/Marketing Management, General | 116 |
| Accounting | 80 |
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 70 |
| Business Administration and Management,... | 60 |
| Psychology, General | 59 |
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General | 28 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 26 |
| Economics, General | 25 |
Median earnings eight years after entering Fairfield University are $87,663, and 85% of former students earn more than $25,000 six years after entry.
Six years after entry, former Fairfield University students earn $73,693 — 62% more than at a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Fairfield University, located in a large suburb of Connecticut, enrolls 5,373 undergraduates with a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The student body is 57.8% women, with 16.5% first-generation students and 6.9% Pell grant recipients.
Average head coach salary by program gender.
465 of 4,903 undergraduates, counting each athlete once regardless of how many sports they play.
9 of 4,968 undergraduates study entirely at a distance, against 377 of 1,321 graduate students.
Fairfield University is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Fairfield University is in Staples, CT, in what IPEDS classifies as a large suburb setting. The campus sits about 3.6 miles from the center of Staples. There are 11 other colleges within 25 miles, and New Haven, CT is 20.2 miles away.
Undergraduates make up about 1.8% of Staples's residents.
Every college that receives federal financial aid must publish its crime statistics each year under the Clery Act. These are the figures Fairfield University reported for 2024.
Read these numbers carefully. A Clery figure counts reports, not incidents. A university with active reporting channels, a large campus police force and a teaching hospital will record more offenses than one where the same events go unreported — so a higher count is not evidence of a more dangerous campus, and a low count is not evidence of a safe one. In 2024, 833 campuses with more than 1,000 students reported no offenses at all. Use these figures to ask a college questions, not to rank one against another.
Separately, Fairfield University reported 129 disciplinary referrals for weapons, drug and liquor law violations on campus. Referrals for alcohol violations are usually the largest category at residential colleges and reflect how a school handles student conduct internally.
Common questions about Fairfield University admissions, costs, and outcomes.
Fairfield University has an acceptance rate of 33.3%. In the most recent admissions cycle, the university received 15,463 applications, admitted 6,956 students, and enrolled 1,436 first-year students.
The middle 50% of admitted students scored 630-690 on the SAT math section and 29-32 on the ACT composite. The average high school GPA for admitted students is 3.76.
Yes, Fairfield offers early decision admission with an acceptance rate of 79.8%, significantly higher than the regular acceptance rate of 33.3%.
The cost of attendance at Fairfield University is $81,368 annually, which includes tuition and fees of $58,350. The average net price after aid is $48,095.
The average net price at Fairfield is $48,095 annually, meaning the average student pays this amount after financial aid is applied to the $81,368 cost of attendance.
Approximately 6.9% of Fairfield University students are Pell grant recipients. First-generation students make up 16.5% of the student body.
Fairfield University has a graduation rate of 84.1%, indicating that approximately 84 out of every 100 students graduate from the institution.
Median earnings for Fairfield graduates are $73,693 six years after entry and $88,794 ten years after entry, reflecting career growth over time.
Fairfield University has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1, with an undergraduate enrollment of 5,373 students. This ratio supports more personalized instruction and mentoring.
The median federal debt at graduation for Fairfield students is $26,000. Of all students, 43.2% borrow federal loans, and the three-year loan repayment rate is 81.6%.