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Fairfield University

Fairfield University is a private campus in suburban Fairfield, CT. The school reports a Roman Catholic affiliation in its federal filings.

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What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23

family-income band

$32,161

family income
under $30k

$28,062

$30–48k

$35,003

$48–75k

$39,355

$75–110k

$49,644

over $110k

These figures don't always rise with income — aid formulas can make a higher bracket cheaper.

Average net price

$48,0952023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

Average net price at Fairfield University rose from $28,674 (2008) to $48,095 (2023).

Average net price — data
Year	Net price
2008	$28,674
2009	$27,985
2010	$29,062
2011	$32,811
2012	$35,212
2013	$36,935
2014	$35,893
2015	$36,841
2016	$36,929
2017	$39,676
2018	$38,869
2019	$36,633
2020	$43,569
2021	$45,701
2022	$46,274
2023	$48,095

IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$76,0742024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

Total cost at Fairfield University rose from $49,277 (2009) to $76,074 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
Year	Cost
2009	$49,277
2010	$50,830
2011	$52,799
2012	$55,040
2013	$56,628
2014	$57,966
2015	$59,016
2016	$60,526
2017	$61,934
2018	$63,771
2019	$65,234
2020	$67,080
2021	$69,035
2022	$71,215
2023	$73,371
2024	$76,074

IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition & fees

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

Tuition & fees — data
Year	Tuition & fees
2000	$21,435
2001	$22,430
2002	$24,100
2003	$26,100
2004	$28,415
2005	$30,235
2006	$31,955
2007	$33,905
2008	$36,075
2013	$42,920
2014	$43,770
2015	$44,875
2016	$46,000
2017	$47,165
2018	$48,350
2019	$49,830
2020	$51,325
2021	$52,870
2022	$54,455
2023	$56,360

IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)

Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Fairfield University reports published tuition of $58,350 in this record. Fairfield University's $58,350 tuition excludes other attendance costs; aid can reduce the bill. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

Fairfield University reports 5,373 undergraduate students. Enrollment is a headcount, not a measure of teaching access.

84.3% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Fairfield University within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart

84.3%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

The six-year graduation rate at Fairfield University has held near 84.3% from Fall 1991 to Fall 2018 entering cohorts.

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
Year	Graduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort	82.6%
1992 cohort	81%
1993 cohort	79.4%
1994 cohort	77.6%
1995 cohort	79.7%
1996 cohort	77.2%
1997 cohort	78.4%
1998 cohort	80.5%
1999 cohort	81.2%
2000 cohort	81.5%
2001 cohort	80.6%
2002 cohort	78.7%
2003 cohort	84.8%
2004 cohort	82.6%
2005 cohort	81.7%
2006 cohort	80.8%
2007 cohort	82.1%
2008 cohort	80%
2009 cohort	81.6%
2010 cohort	82.2%
2011 cohort	81%
2012 cohort	80.5%
2013 cohort	83.3%
2014 cohort	82.4%
2015 cohort	83.9%
2016 cohort	84.2%
2017 cohort	83.8%
2018 cohort	84.3%

IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups

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Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
Year	Completed	Left without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)	$17,125	$3,250
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)	$17,125	$14,250
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)	—	$15,422
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)	$17,125	$12,288
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)	$17,125	$5,338
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)	$17,125	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)	$17,125	$6,125
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)	$17,125	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)	$17,125	$4,813
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)	$17,125	$5,250
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)	$17,125	$4,875
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)	$17,125	$4,875
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)	$17,125	$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)	$20,125	$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)	$23,000	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)	$25,000	$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)	$26,160	$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)	$26,745	$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)	$27,000	$6,750
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)	$27,000	$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)	$26,000	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)	$26,193	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)	$26,322	$5,750
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)	$26,000	$6,500

NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15

$73,693

6 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13

$87,663

8 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11

$88,794

10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Fairfield University admitted 6,162 of 18,509 applicants in Fall 2024. The 33.3% rate describes that application pool.

33.3%

acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle

rate trend $56,360 tuition · 2023–24 5,373 undergraduates · Fall 2024

Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024

400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 1260–13901600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

Fairfield University reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For Fairfield University’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 630–700 and Math was 630–690 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 1260–1390 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score	25th	50th	75th
SAT Reading & Writing	630	660	700
SAT Math	630	660	690
ACT Composite	29	30	32

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Fairfield University received 18,509 applications and admitted 6,162 (33.3%), with 1,461 enrolling.

Acceptance rate

33.3%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

Read Fairfield University's change from 49.2% to 33.3% as a share of applications, not an explanation of admissions decisions. This describes Fall 2001 to Fall 2024.

Acceptance rate — data
Year	Acceptance rate
Fall 2001	49.2%
Fall 2002	49.7%
Fall 2003	49.4%
Fall 2004	49.4%
Fall 2005	63.7%
Fall 2006	60.6%
Fall 2007	54.8%
Fall 2008	59.1%
Fall 2009	59.1%
Fall 2010	64.6%
Fall 2011	71.5%
Fall 2012	69.4%
Fall 2013	71.2%
Fall 2014	71.5%
Fall 2015	65%
Fall 2016	61.5%
Fall 2017	60.6%
Fall 2018	60.3%
Fall 2019	57.1%
Fall 2020	56.1%
Fall 2021	55.8%
Fall 2022	52.2%
Fall 2023	45%
Fall 2024	33.3%

IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

1260–1390Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	1090	1270
Fall 2002	1110	1200
Fall 2003	1110	1280
Fall 2004	1110	1280
Fall 2005	1100	1280
Fall 2006	1140	1260
Fall 2007	1080	1260
Fall 2008	1060	1240
Fall 2009	1060	1240
Fall 2010	1050	1240
Fall 2019	1210	1350
Fall 2020	1190	1340
Fall 2021	1230	1380
Fall 2022	1240	1370
Fall 2023	1240	1380
Fall 2024	1260	1390

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

29–32Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

ACT middle 50% — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2002	26	31
Fall 2004	25	27
Fall 2005	23	27
Fall 2007	23	28
Fall 2008	23	27
Fall 2009	23	27
Fall 2010	23	27
Fall 2019	26	30
Fall 2020	27	30
Fall 2021	27	31
Fall 2022	28	31
Fall 2023	29	32
Fall 2024	29	32

IPEDS Fall 2002–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

5,373Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

Undergraduate enrollment at Fairfield University rose from 3,653 (Fall 2002) to 5,373 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
Year	Undergraduates
Fall 2002	3,653
Fall 2003	3,648
Fall 2004	3,552
Fall 2005	3,688
Fall 2006	3,675
Fall 2007	3,893
Fall 2008	3,948
Fall 2009	3,623
Fall 2010	3,689
Fall 2011	3,655
Fall 2012	3,696
Fall 2013	3,721
Fall 2014	3,841
Fall 2015	3,863
Fall 2016	3,955
Fall 2017	4,023
Fall 2018	4,103
Fall 2019	4,250
Fall 2020	4,319
Fall 2021	4,548
Fall 2022	4,706
Fall 2023	4,938
Fall 2024	5,373

IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

91%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

First-year retention at Fairfield University has held near 91% from Fall 2003 to Fall 2023.

First-year retention — data
Year	Retention
Fall 2003 cohort	91%
Fall 2004 cohort	91%
Fall 2005 cohort	89%
Fall 2006 cohort	88%
Fall 2007 cohort	90%
Fall 2008 cohort	88%
Fall 2009 cohort	89%
Fall 2010 cohort	88%
Fall 2011 cohort	87%
Fall 2012 cohort	87%
Fall 2013 cohort	89%
Fall 2014 cohort	89%
Fall 2015 cohort	89%
Fall 2016 cohort	90%
Fall 2017 cohort	90%
Fall 2018 cohort	90%
Fall 2019 cohort	92%
Fall 2020 cohort	89%
Fall 2021 cohort	91%
Fall 2022 cohort	90%
Fall 2023 cohort	91%

IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2003–2023

More about Fairfield University

Faculty pay at Fairfield University averages $159,576 a year, annualized from reported monthly pay. Carnegie classes Fairfield University as a primarily residential campus of 5,373 undergraduates — and 91.3% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

Fairfield University's SAT section-percentile sums are 1260–1390 — their midpoint is above the CT four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on Fairfield University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”

key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Fairfield University compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Fairfield University33.3%

Connecticut median76%

National median76.8%

Tuition

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Fairfield University$58,350

Connecticut median$30,207

National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Fairfield University's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Fairfield University$88,794

Connecticut median$64,209

National median$53,781

View comparison data & dates

Fairfield University, Connecticut and national reference values
Metric & basis	Fairfield University	Connecticut median	National median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS	33.3%	76%	76.8%
TuitionScorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid	$58,350	$30,207	$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot	$88,794	$64,209	$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Fairfield University, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Fairfield University federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 15 fields & earnings

Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)	Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Economics	$120,303
Accounting and Related Services	$110,586
Finance and Financial Management Services	$106,663
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing	$101,831
International Business	$101,411
Management Information Systems and Services	$96,937
International Relations and National Security Studies	$94,347
Mechanical Engineering	$91,633
Marketing	$86,740
Business Administration, Management and Operations	$84,962
Mathematics	$84,078
Political Science and Government	$83,709
Communication and Media Studies	$78,081
Psychology, General	$70,211
English Language and Literature, General	$62,527

These 15 fields listed for Fairfield University measure earnings after completion. The $88,794 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 33 additional Fairfield University fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Fairfield University report?

Fairfield University's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 1260–1390 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is Fairfield University's acceptance rate?

33.3% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 6,162 admitted from 18,509 applicants.

How much does Fairfield University cost?

At Fairfield University, tuition is $58,350. Tuition is not the total cost of attendance; aid can reduce your bill.

What earnings data does Fairfield University report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $88,794. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

Similar colleges in Connecticut

Trinity College — 29.2% admitted
United States Coast Guard Academy — 22.4% admitted
Wesleyan University — 16.5% admitted
Eastern Connecticut State University — 83% admitted

Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.