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Colleges / Fairfield University

Fairfield University

Fairfield, CT 4-Year Private
Acceptance Rate52%

About Fairfield University

Fairfield University is a Catholic, Jesuit university - one of 28 in the United States. Our mission touches everything we do. We're committed to broad intellectual inquiry - so we offer a comprehensive core curriculum. We attend to the whole self - body, mind, and spirit - so we offer distinctive living and learning experiences like the Sophomore Residential Colleges. We believe in lifelong learning - so we integrate Jesuit values in graduate and professional studies. We pursue social justice and global citizenship - so we offer an astounding range of opportunities for service and civic engagement. We ask the hard questions, listen closely, and care enough about the world to study it, work in it, make it better.

Fairfield University Overview

Fairfield University is a private, religious school in a suburban setting in Fairfield, Connecticut. Fairfield University was founded in 1942 and now enrolls around 5,513 students a year, including 4,354 undergrads. Fairfield University offers housing for up to 3,365 students. The majority of students live on campus, and first year-students are required to live in campus housing. On the weekends, about 97% of students stay on-campus and participate in campus events and social life.

There are many ways for students to get involved at Fairfield University! Love music or performing? Sing in a chorus or perform with one of Fairfield University's theater groups.

Interested in journalism or communications? Fairfield University students can write for the campus newspaper, host a radio show or be a producer for the student-run television channel.

There are no fraternities or sororities at Fairfield University, so it might be a good choice if you're not interested in Greek life.

Planning to play sports? Fairfield University has many options for athletes. See them all and learn more about life at Fairfield University on the Student Life page.

Learn more about life at Fairfield University on the Student Life page.

Mark your calendar! January 15, 2022 is the final deadline to submit an application for Fall. Regular decision applicants for Fall 2022 should find out if they got admitted by April 1.

2021 Fairfield University Facts At-A-Glance
Academic Calendar Semester
Overall Acceptance Rate 56%
Early Decision Acceptance Rate 79%
Early Action Acceptance Rate 58%
Average GPA 3.6
Applicants Submitting ACT scores 58%
Applicants Submitting SAT scores 50%
Tuition $52,070
Percent of Need Met 82%
Average First-Year Financial Aid Package $33,330

Is Fairfield University a Good School?

There is no one way to define a "good" college or university. Admissions difficulty and admitted student statistics can give you a sense of how competitive a college is, but they don't tell you how happy or successful students are. However, there are a few good ways to get a better sense how satisfied students are and how well a school supports its student body.

Let's take a closer look at each of these factors to get a better sense of what Fairfield University offers and if it could be a good choice for you.

2021 Acceptance Rate for Fairfield University

It is very difficult to get into Fairfield University. Around 56% of applicants get into Fairfield University each year. Out of 12,586 applications received in 2021, 7,065 students were offered admission.

Retention and Graduation Rates at Fairfield University

Retention is the number of students that stay enrolled at a school over time. This is a way to get a sense of how satisfied students are with their school experience, and if they have the support necessary to succeed in college.

About 92% of students who start at Fairfield University come back the next year.Around 82% of students who started at Fairfield University earn their Bachelor's degrees within six years. The average six-year graduation rate for U.S. colleges and universities is 61% for public schools, and 67% for private, non-profit schools.

Job Outcomes for Fairfield University Grads

Job placement statistics for recent graduates can give you a sense of the return on investment a school offers. Within six months of graduating, 70% of graduates receive at least one full-time job offer.

Recent Fairfield University grads have an average starting salary of $60,139 a year. The average starting salary for all 2021 graduates was around $60,000 a year, though these numbers vary widely by major.

Fairfield University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and support students. Fairfield University's endowment was valued at $361.1 million in 2021, compared to a national average of $905 million. The school spends $14,749 for each full-time student enrolled.

Tuition and Financial Aid at Fairfield University

Cost is another important factor when choose a college. Some colleges may have high tuition, but do a better job at meeting students' financial need. Fairfield University meets 82% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend Fairfield University full-time are awarded $33,330 a year in financial aid, on average.

In 2020, students graduated with an average of $41,911 in student loans for each student with debt. For context, compare this number with the average national debt, which is around $36,000 per borrower.

The 2022-2023 FAFSA Opened on October 1st, 2021

Some financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so fill out the FAFSA asap. Visit the FAFSA website to apply for student aid. Remember, the first F in FAFSA stands for FREE! You should never have to pay to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), so don't give your money (or info!) to any website that claim you do.

Learn more about Tuition and Financial Aid at Fairfield University. Based on this information, how does Fairfield University sound? Remember, a school that is perfect for one person may be a terrible fit for another! So ask yourself: Is Fairfield University a good school for you?

If Fairfield University seems like a school you want to apply to, click the heart button to save it to your college list.

Still Doing Your Research?

Choose one of the options below to learn more about Fairfield University:

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Student Life

Academics

Tuition & Aid

Fairfield University Community Forums

Then use the college admissions predictor to calculate your chances of getting admitted to some of the best colleges and universities in the U.S.

Where is Fairfield University?

Fairfield University is located in the suburban setting of Fairfield, Connecticut, less than an hour from New York City.

If you want to see Fairfield University for yourself, plan a visit. The best way to reach campus is to take Interstate 95 to Fairfield, or book a flight to the nearest airport, LaGuardia.

You can also take a virtual campus tour to get a sense of what Fairfield University and Fairfield are like without leaving home.

Considering Colleges in Connecticut?

See a full list of colleges in Connecticut and save your favorites to your college list.

College Info

1073 North Benson Road Fairfield, CT 6824

Campus Setting: Suburban

Fairfield University Application Deadline

First-Year Applications are Due

Jan 15

Transfer Applications are Due

Apr 1

The deadline for Fall first-year applications to Fairfield University is Jan 15.

The deadline for Fall transfer applications to Fairfield University is Apr 1.

Check the school website for more information about deadlines for specific programs or special admissions programs

Fairfield University SAT Scores

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Composite SAT Range

1260 - 1360

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Math SAT Range

620 - 690

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Reading SAT Range

620 - 680

Estimated Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

SAT Score

Estimated Chance

1360 and Above

Good

1260 to 1360

Avg

1260 and Less

Low

SAT Scores Needed to Get Accepted

The median SAT score for Fairfield University students is 1308. Applicants with SAT scores of 1360 and above have a good chance of being admitted to Fairfield University, while applicants with SAT scores between 1260 to 1360 have an average chance of admittance, and prospective students with an SAT score below 1260 have a low chance of being offered a spot at Fairfield University.

Fairfield University Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$73,860

In State

$73,860

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$55,510
$55,510
Fees
$850
$850
Housing
$17,500
$17,500
Books
Unknown
Unknown

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Student Life

Wondering what life at Fairfield University is like? There are approximately 6,019 students enrolled at Fairfield University, including 4,768 undergraduate students and 1,251 graduate students. 98% percent of students attend school full-time, 19% percent are from CT and 81% percent of students are from other states.

98%

Full Time

2%

Part Time

19%

In State

81%

Out-of-State

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

6,019

Campus Setting

Suburban

Acceptance Rate

52%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$56,360

Out-of-State

$56,360

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Jan 15
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