Private nonprofit · Mostly bachelor's degrees · Large suburb

Fairfield University

Fairfield, Connecticut. 5,373 undergraduates. Admits 33% of applicants.

85%Graduation rate31 pts above the national median for similar colleges (54%)
$49,906Average net price per year151% above the national median for similar colleges ($19,899)
$101,587Median earnings 10 years after starting72% above the national median for similar colleges ($58,912)
$25,000Median debt at graduation16% above the national median for similar colleges ($21,609)
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($25,000) equals 25% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($101,587). That is a light load relative to pay.

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$30,752
$30,000–$48,000$35,919
$48,001–$75,000$37,768
$75,001–$110,000$42,341
Over $110,000$53,583

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $60,810.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate85%54%
Return for second year91%76%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$80,734$49,318
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$101,587$58,912
Median debt at graduation$25,000$21,609

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly bachelor's degrees).

Programs and what graduates earn

83 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Economics39$68,745$142,075$26,000
Accounting and Related Services101$80,992$115,501$27,000
Finance and Financial Management Services249$75,667$113,364$22,000
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing184$91,135$104,646$27,000
Mechanical Engineering20$81,485$102,024$27,000
Marketing159$60,871$95,550$26,000
International Business19—$91,358—
Political Science and Government23—$88,858$22,236
Business Administration, Management and Operations85$61,888$87,833$21,658
International Relations and National Security Studies10$52,083$87,298—
Communication and Media Studies72$50,903$85,495$26,980
Mathematics10—$85,364—
Biology, General29$42,460$84,156$27,000
Psychology, General61$39,454$75,815$25,455
English Language and Literature, General21—$66,349$27,000
Natural Resources Conservation and Research2———
Area Studies2———
Journalism7———
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication16———
Computer and Information Sciences, General27——$18,750
Biomedical/Medical Engineering4———
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering2———
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics7———
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities5———
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology6———
Neurobiology and Neurosciences9———
Data Analytics73——$24,980
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness6———
Philosophy2———
Religion/Religious Studies1———
Chemistry1———
Social Work3———
Sociology4———
Sociology and Anthropology2———
Film/Video and Photographic Arts12———
Fine and Studio Arts1———
Music1———
Public Health12———
Management Information Systems and Services1———
History14———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

Getting in

33%Admission rate
1,335Average SAT of admitted students
29–32ACT middle 50%
12:1Students per faculty member
9%Undergraduates with a Pell Grant

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Quick answers

How much does Fairfield University cost per year?
The average net price at Fairfield University, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $49,906 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Fairfield University graduates earn?
Former Fairfield University students earn a median of $101,587 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Fairfield University?
85% of Fairfield University students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do Fairfield University graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from Fairfield University is $25,000. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.