Fairfield University

fairfield.edu

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2019 Undergraduate Tuition

$49,080

3% growth from 2018

2019 Average Net Price

$39,546

After Financial Aid

2017 Student Loan

1.34%

Default Rate

2019 Acceptance Rate

57.1%

12,315 Applicants

2019 Enrolled Students

5,349

86.1% Full-Time

2018 Graduation Rate

80.5%

797 Graduates

About

Fairfield University is a higher education institution located in Fairfield County, CT. In 2016, the most popular Bachelor's Degree concentrations at Fairfield University were General Finance (147 degrees awarded), Registered Nursing (145 degrees), and General Marketing & Marketing Management (110 degrees).

In 2019, 1,516 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Fairfield University. 62.4% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 37.6% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (1,163 degrees), 9.86 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (118 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Fairfield University is $49,080, which is $27,054 more than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($22,027).

Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs Masters Colleges and Universities

Costs

The median undergraduate tuition at Fairfield University is $49,080, which is $27,054 more than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($22,027).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $39,546.

In 2019, 84% of undergraduate students received federal grants, while 50% of undergraduate students received federal loans.

Student Expenses

Tuition Costs

$49,080

2019 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2019, the cost of tuition at Fairfield University was $49,080. The cost of tuition at Fairfield University is $27,054 more than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($22,027).

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

Average Net Price

$39,546

2019 Value

0.616%

1 Year Growth

In 2019 Fairfield University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $39,546. Between 2018 and 2019, the average net price of Fairfield University grew by 0.616%.

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

$14,710

Room and Board

$1,150

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Fairfield University was of $14,710 in 2019. During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,150. The cost of room and board increased by 3.01% between 2018 and 2019. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

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

Financial Aid

Financial Aid by Income Level

84%

Of Undergraduates Receive Grants

50%

Of Undergraduates Receive Federal Loans

84% of undergraduate students at Fairfield University received grants or loans in 2019. This represents a growth of 1.2% with respect to 2018, when 83% 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.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

1.34%

2017 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2017 the default rate for borrower's at Fairfield University was 1.34%, which represents 11 out of the 823 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Admissions

Fairfield University received 12,315 undergraduate applications in 2019, which represents a 8.4% annual growth. Out of those 12,315 applicants, 7,035 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 57.1% acceptance rate.

There were 5,349 students enrolled at Fairfield University in 2019, and 58% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Fairfield University has an overall enrollment yield of 16.7%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

57.1%

Acceptance Rate in 2019

7,035

Accepted Out of 12,315

In 2019, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Fairfield University was 57.1% (7,035 admissions from 12,315 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2018, which was 60.3%. Between 2018 and 2019, the number of applicants grew by 8.4%, while admissions grew by 2.69%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Fairfield University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

SAT Scores

58%

Submission Percentage

680

Scores Submitted

58% of enrolled first-time students at Fairfield University in 2019 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

This chart shows the SAT scores for the 25th and 75th percentile of applicants broken out into each section of the test that their are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Fairfield University has a total enrollment of 5,349 students. The full-time enrollment at Fairfield University is 4,605 students and the part-time enrollment is 744. This means that 86.1% of students enrolled at Fairfield University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Fairfield University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 75.1% White, 7.72% Hispanic or Latino, 2.73% Asian, 2.67% Black or African American, 1.63% Two or More Races, 0.0935% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0374% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Fairfield University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (47.4%), followed by White Male (30.3%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (3.82%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (49.7%), followed by White Male (18.4%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (7.19%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

86.1%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Fairfield University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 5,349 students. The full-time enrollment at Fairfield University is 4,605 and the part-time enrollment is 744. This means that 86.1% of students enrolled at Fairfield University are enrolled full-time compared with 69.2% at similar Masters Colleges and 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

90%

2019 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 90%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Masters Colleges and Universities (74%), 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

White
4,018
Hispanic or Latino
413
Asian
146

The enrolled student population at Fairfield University is 75.1% White, 7.72% Hispanic or Latino, 2.73% Asian, 2.67% Black or African American, 1.63% Two or More Races, 0.0935% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0374% 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 Masters Colleges and Universities is 53.3% White, 16% Hispanic or Latino, and 12.9% 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, 311 students (5.81%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2019, 376 more women than men received degrees from Fairfield University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Fairfield University is white (1,163 degrees awarded). There were 9.86 times more white graduates than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (118 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Fairfield University is General Finance (147 degrees awarded), followed by Registered Nursing (145 degrees) and General Marketing & Marketing Management (110 degrees).

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 Communications (123 degrees awarded), English (56 degrees), and Math & Statistics (42 degrees).

Workforce

Common Jobs by Major

Other managers

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 Other managers (1,098,623 people), Accountants & auditors (1,036,909 people), Software developers (595,122 people), Financial managers (543,741 people), and Chief executives & legislators (537,824 people).

The most specialized majors at Fairfield University are Communications (123 degrees awarded), English (56 degrees), Math & Statistics (42 degrees), Business (517 degrees), and Engineering (117 degrees).

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, Other financial specialists, Cardiovascular technologists and technicians, Physicians, and Architectural & engineering managers

Common Industries by Major

Computer Systems Design

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 Computer Systems Design (1,024,896 people), Elementary & secondary schools (912,880 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (764,474 people), Construction (664,046 people), and Banking & related activities (578,789 people).

Degrees

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

General Finance
147 degree-majorss awarded
Registered Nursing
145 degree-majorss awarded
General Marketing & Marketing Management
110 degree-majorss awarded

In 2019, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Fairfield University was General Finance with 147 degrees awarded.

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

Gender Breakdown for Common Majors

570

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2019

946

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2019

In 2019, 570 degrees were awarded to men at Fairfield University, which is 0.603 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (946).

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

Most Common Male Majors

In 2019, 106 degrees were awarded to men at Fairfield University in General Finance, which is 2.59 times more than the 41 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2019, 139 degrees were awarded to women at Fairfield University in Registered Nursing, which is 13.9 times more than the 10 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

79%

100% Completion Time

81%

150% Completion Time

In 2019, 79% of students graduating from Fairfield University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 81% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 81% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Masters Colleges and 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.

Diversity

Graduation Rate by Race and Gender

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

American Indian or Alaska Native Male

Highest Graduation Rate (100%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate at Fairfield University is Male and American Indian or Alaska Native (100% graduation rate). Across all Masters Colleges and Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (69.1%).

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, 8.16% of graduates (65 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
1,163 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
118 degrees awarded
Unknown
59 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Fairfield University is white (1,163 degrees awarded). There were 9.86 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (118 degrees).

3.89% of degree recipients (59 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Gender

Most Common Gender Demographic

White Female
738 degrees awarded
White Male
425 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino Female
78 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and gender grouping at Fairfield University is white female (738 degrees awarded). There were 1.74 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (425 degrees).

Operations

Fairfield University has an endowment valued at nearly $340M, as of the end of the 2019 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of $15.6M (4.59%), compared to the 4.44% average return ($1.71M on $38.5M) across all Masters Colleges and Universities.

In 2019, Fairfield University had a total salary expenditure of $216M. Fairfield University employs 101 Associate professors, 99 Assistant professors, and 73 Professors. Most academics at Fairfield University are Female Assistant professors (61), Female Associate professors(54), and Male Associate professors (47).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Fairfield University are: Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services, with 116 employees, Office and Administrative Support, with 112 employees, and Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 84 employees.

Finances

Endowment

$340M

2019 Endowment

2.35%

growth from 2018

Fairfield University has an endowment valued at about $340M, as of the end of the 2019 fiscal year. The endowment of Fairfield University grew 2.35% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $301M higher than than the median endowment of Masters Colleges and 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 Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs Carnegie Classification grouping.

Government Grants and Contracts

Grants & Contracts

$3.37M - Federal
$378k - State
$0 - Local

As of 2019, Fairfield University received $3.37M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $378k from state grants and contracts, and $0 from local grants and contracts.

Expenses

Salary Expenditure

$87.4M

2019 Salaries

13.5%

growth from 2018

In 2019, Fairfield University paid a median of $87.4M in salaries, which represents 40.4% of their overall expenditure ($216M) and a 13.5% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 3.78% growth from 2017 and a 3.61% growth from 2016.

The median for similar Masters Colleges and Universities is 34.1M (40.6% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$29.7M

Instructional Salaries

300

Number of Employees

In 2019, Fairfield University paid a total of $29.7M to 300 employees working as instructors, which represents 34% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $11.2M (32.7%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

Faculty and Staff

Occupations by Share

Associate professor

Most Common Instructor

101 Employees

Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

116 Employees

In 2019, the most common positions for instructional staff at Fairfield University were Associate professor with 101 employees; Assistant professor with 99 employees; and Assistant professor with 73 employees.

In 2019, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Fairfield University were Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services with 116 employees; Office and Administrative Support with 112 employees; and Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 84 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Gender

Most Common Demographic

Female Assistant professor
Female Associate professor
Male Associate professor

In 2019, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Fairfield University was Female Assistant professor with 61 employees, Female Associate professor with 54 employees, and Male Associate professor with 47 employees.

This chart shows the gender split between each academic rank present at Fairfield University.

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