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Fairfield University

Private

Fairfield, CT

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Fairfield University, in Fairfield, CT, is a private mid-sized school, enrolling around 5,373 students. Fairfield University is selective, with an acceptance rate near 33%. Its highest-earning reported major is Economics (Social Sciences), where graduates report median earnings of $120,303/year four years out. Most students arrange their own housing since on-campus living isn't required.

Admissions

Admit rate33%
SAT range1260–1390
ACT range29–32
Undergrads5,373
Yield (admits who enroll)19%
Next deadlineNov 1, 2026 (EA)

Cost & outcomes

Cost of attendance$76,074
4-year grad rate84%
Median earnings, 10yr out$88,794

From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.

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How Fairfield University weighs your application

From Fairfield University's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?

Academic factors
Rigor of secondary school recordVery important
Class rankConsidered
Academic GPAVery important
Standardized test scoresConsidered
Application essayVery important
RecommendationsVery important
Nonacademic factors
InterviewImportant
Extracurricular activitiesImportant
Talent/abilityImportant
Character/personal qualitiesImportant
First generationImportant
Alumni relation (legacy)Considered
Geographical residenceConsidered
State residencyNot considered
Religious affiliationNot considered
Volunteer workImportant
Work experienceImportant
Level of interest (demonstrated interest)Important
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See full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what Fairfield University weighs in your application

Paying it back

Undergrads taking federal loans43%
Loan balance still growing, 3yrs out82%

"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.

Majors & earnings

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Accounting and Related Services$110,586/yr
Finance and Financial Management Services$106,663/yr
International Business$101,411/yr
Management Information Systems and Services$96,937/yr
Marketing$86,740/yr
Business Administration, Management and Operations$84,962/yr
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Communication and Media Studies$78,081/yr
Engineering
Mechanical Engineering$91,633/yr
English Language and Literature/Letters
English Language and Literature, General$62,527/yr
Health Professions and Related Programs
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$101,831/yr
Mathematics and Statistics
Mathematics$84,078/yr
Psychology
Psychology, General$70,211/yr
Social Sciences
Economics$120,303/yr
International Relations and National Security Studies$94,347/yr
Political Science and Government$83,709/yr

Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.

Campus life

On-campus housingYes
Required to live on campusNo
Dormitory capacity3,632
Typical room charge$10,240
Typical board charge$6,510

Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.

What matters in your application

GPARequired
Class rankConsidered, not required
RecommendationsRequired

From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.

Frequently asked questions

What does Fairfield University look for in applicants?

Per Fairfield University's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, application essay, recommendations as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.

What is Fairfield University's acceptance rate?

Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT admits approximately 33% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.

What SAT score do I need for Fairfield University?

Admitted students at Fairfield University typically score between 1260–1390 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).

What ACT score do I need for Fairfield University?

Admitted students at Fairfield University typically score between 29–32 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).

How much does Fairfield University cost?

Fairfield University's total cost of attendance is reported at $76,074 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.

When is the application deadline for Fairfield University?

Fairfield University's earliest deadline is Nov 1, 2026 (EA), per its own published admissions calendar.

Does Fairfield University require students to live on campus?

No -- Fairfield University doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.

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