Fairfield University

fairfield.edu

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2024 Undergraduate Tuition

$57,450

3.49% growth from 2023

2024 Average Net Price

$49,958

After Financial Aid

2024 Acceptance Rate

33.3%

18,509 Applicants

2024 Enrolled Students

6,864

88.5% Full-Time

2024 Graduation Rate

84.3%

918 Graduates

About

Fairfield University is a higher education institution located in Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, CT. In 2024, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Fairfield University were General Finance (249 degrees awarded), Registered Nursing (184 degrees), and General Marketing & Marketing Management (152 degrees).

In 2024, 1,933 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Fairfield University. 57.7% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 42.3% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (1,461 degrees), 10.3 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (142 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Fairfield University is $57,450, which is $25,530 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

Doctoral Universities: Moderate Research Activity Doctoral Universities

Costs

In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at Fairfield University is $57,450, which is $25,530 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $49,958.

In 2024, 93% of undergraduate students attending Fairfield University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 43% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$57,450

2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at Fairfield University was $57,450. The cost of tuition at Fairfield University is $25,530 more than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,920).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Fairfield University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$49,958

2024 Value

4.89%

1 Year Growth

In 2024 Fairfield University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $49,958. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of Fairfield University grew by 4.89%.

This chart compares the average net price of Fairfield University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$17,450

Room and Board

$1,175

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Fairfield University was of $17,450 in 2024. The cost of room and board increased by 4.18% between 2023 and 2024.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,175. The cost of books and supplies increased by 2.17% during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Fairfield University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

93%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

43%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

93% of undergraduate students at Fairfield University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a growth of 2.2% with respect to 2023, when 91% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Fairfield University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Admissions

Fairfield University received 18,509 undergraduate applications in 2024, which represents a 19.7% annual growth. Out of those 18,509 applicants, 6,162 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 33.3% acceptance rate.

There were 6,864 students enrolled at Fairfield University in 2024. 14% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Fairfield University has an overall enrollment yield of 23.7%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

33.3%

Acceptance Rate in 2024

6,162

Accepted Out of 18,509

In 2024, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Fairfield University was 33.3% (6,162 admissions from 18,509 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2023, which was 45%. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of applicants grew by 19.7%, while admissions declined by 11.4%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Fairfield University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

14%

Submission Percentage (2024)

200

Scores Submitted (2024)

14% of enrolled first-time students at Fairfield University in 2024 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Fairfield University had a total enrollment of 6,864 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at Fairfield University is 6,078 students and the part-time enrollment is 786. This means that 88.5% of students enrolled at Fairfield University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Fairfield University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 75.6% White, 8.33% Hispanic or Latino, 2.48% Black or African American, 2.29% Asian, 2.08% Two or More Races, 0.0728% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0583% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Fairfield University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (46.9%), followed by White Male (33.5%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (4.42%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (37%), followed by White Male (21.3%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (5.23%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

88.5%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Fairfield University in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 6,864 students. The full-time enrollment at Fairfield University is 6,078 and the part-time enrollment is 786. This means that 88.5% of students enrolled at Fairfield University are enrolled full-time compared with 77.3% at similar Doctoral Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Fairfield University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

91%

2024 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Fairfield University was 91%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (82%), Fairfield University had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Fairfield University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
5,190 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
572 enrolled students
Black or African American
170 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Fairfield University is 75.6% White, 8.33% Hispanic or Latino, 2.48% Black or African American, 2.29% Asian, 2.08% Two or More Races, 0.0728% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0583% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Doctoral Universities is 46.2% White, 16.3% Hispanic or Latino, and 10.4% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 450 students (6.56%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2024, 299 more women than men received degrees from Fairfield University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Fairfield University is white (1,461 degrees awarded). There were 10.3 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (142 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Fairfield University is General Finance (249 degrees awarded), followed by Registered Nursing (184 degrees) and General Marketing & Marketing Management (152 degrees).

In 2024, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Fairfield University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Business (861 degrees awarded), Communications (98 degrees), and Interdisciplinary Studies (124 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Accountants & auditors

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Fairfield University are Accountants & auditors (1,055,766 people), Other managers (953,817 people), Financial managers (573,600 people), Chief executives & legislators (484,869 people), and Elementary & middle school teachers (385,295 people).

The most specialized majors at Fairfield University in 2024 are Business (861 degrees awarded), Communications (98 degrees), Interdisciplinary Studies (124 degrees), English (35 degrees), and Math & Statistics (28 degrees) (as of 2024).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Fairfield University are Surgeons, Magnetic resonance imaging technologists, Physicians, Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents, and Chief executives & legislators

The most specialized majors at Fairfield University are Business (861 degrees awarded), Communications (98 degrees), Interdisciplinary Studies (124 degrees), English (35 degrees), and Math & Statistics (28 degrees) (as of 2024).

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Fairfield University are Elementary & secondary schools (1,052,261 people), Computer Systems Design (805,971 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (703,771 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (527,155 people), and Banking & related activities (522,266 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Fairfield University.

Most Common (2024)

General Finance
249 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
184 degrees awarded
General Marketing & Marketing Management
152 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Fairfield University was General Finance with 249 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Fairfield University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

817

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2024

1,116

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2024

In 2024, 817 degrees were awarded to men at Fairfield University, which is 0.732 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (1,116).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Fairfield University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2024, 189 degrees were awarded to men at Fairfield University in General Finance, which is 3.15 times more than the 60 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2024, 179 degrees were awarded to men at Fairfield University in Registered Nursing, which is 22.4 times more than the 8 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

82%

100% Completion Time

84%

150% Completion Time

In 2024, 82% of students graduating from Fairfield University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 84% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 85% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Doctoral Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

Two or More Races Female

Highest Graduation Rate (100%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2024 at Fairfield University is Female and Two or More Races (100% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (75.5%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 4.8% of graduates (44 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
1,461 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
142 degrees awarded
Asian
47 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Fairfield University is white (1,461 degrees awarded). There were 10.3 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (142 degrees).

7.97% of degree recipients (154 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)

White Female
833 degrees awarded
White Female
826 degrees awarded
White Female
822 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Fairfield University is white female (833 degrees awarded). There were 1.01 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (826 degrees).

Operations

Fairfield University has an endowment valued at nearly $411M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 54.3M (13.2%) compared to the 9.4% average return (23.7M on 252M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2024, Fairfield University had a total salary expenditure of 294M. Fairfield University employs 161 Assistant professors, 104 Associate professors and 77 Professors. Most academics at Fairfield University are Female Assistant professor (86), Male Assistant professor (75), and Female Associate professor (55).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Fairfield University are: Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services, with 171 employees, Office and Administrative Support, with 118 employees, and Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 106 employees.

Endowment

$411M

2024 Endowment

8.18%

growth from 2023

Fairfield University has an endowment valued at about $411M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The endowment of Fairfield University grew 8.18% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $159M higher than than the median endowment of Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Fairfield University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Doctoral Universities: Moderate Research Activity Carnegie Classification grouping.

Salary Expenditure

$121M

2024 Salaries

11.4%

growth from 2023

In 2024, Fairfield University paid a median of $121M in salaries, which represents 41% of their overall expenditure ($294M) and a 11.4% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 9.21% growth between 2022 and 2023, and a 4.89% growth between 2021 and 2022.

Instructional Salaries

$45.4M

Instructional Salaries

379

Number of Employees

In 2024, Fairfield University paid a total of $45.4M to 379 employees working as instructors, which represents 37.6% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $4.1M (2.29%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Fairfield University were Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services with 171 employees, Office and Administrative Support with 118 employees, and Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 106 employees.

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