Fairfield University: the complete school report for parents

What does Fairfield University actually weigh in admissions?

Fairfield University rates 5 of the 18 factors "Very Important": course rigor, GPA, the essay, recommendations, demonstrated interest. It does not consider 2 of them at all. Every college reports these weights in section C7 of its Common Data Set; below is Fairfield University's 2025-2026 answer, read from the grid in its own file.

What GPA do admitted students actually have?

50% of enrolled students had a 3.75 GPA or above. , reported for 99% of the entering class. This is the school’s own distribution, not an estimate from its admit rate.

What is the Fairfield University waitlist really like?

Fairfield University offered a place on its waiting list to 10,741 applicants and 2,963 accepted one. 15 were ultimately admitted. That is 0.5% of those who waited.

Is transferring in easier than applying as a freshman?

Fairfield University admitted 8.0% of 515 transfer applicants, against 25.1% of first-year applicants. The two routes are similarly competitive here. The minimum college GPA considered is 2.5.

When do we apply, and does timing change the odds?

Applying Early Decision changes the odds materially: 82.1% of ED applicants were admitted against 25.1% overall, a gap of 57 points. ED is binding, so that advantage costs the ability to compare financial-aid offers.

What does my child need to take in high school?

Fairfield University requires 16 academic units and recommends 20. A college-preparatory program is required. A GED is accepted.

What will Fairfield University actually cost us?

Families pay an average of $48,095 a year at Fairfield University after grants and scholarships, against a published in-state tuition of $59,460. The published price is not what most families pay. The university reports meeting 75.5% of demonstrated need on average. It also gave 937 merit awards averaging $22,587 to first-years with no demonstrated need.

64% of Fairfield University graduates borrow, leaving with an average of $36,776 in debt, which the federal data puts at about $276 a month in repayment. Fairfield University’s net price calculator gives your own figure.

Does a degree from Fairfield University pay off?

Graduates earn a median $88,794 ten years after entering, and $73,693 at six years. 93% out-earn a typical high school graduate within six years. 82% are actively paying down their loans three years in.

$118,205 to $58,235, depending on the major. Median earnings five years out at Fairfield University:

College Scorecard, by field of study; highest and lowest shown.

Will my child actually graduate?

91% of first-years return for a second year. 83% graduate within four years and 85% within six (2019 cohort). The rate holds up across income: 80.0% of Pell-grant recipients graduate within six years against 86.0% of everyone else, a gap of 6.0 points.

How big are the classes?

36% of class sections have fewer than 20 students, while 0% have 100 or more. The student-faculty ratio is 12:1, and 100% of faculty are full-time. Accredited by New England Commission on Higher Education.

What is life at Fairfield University like?

5,671 undergraduates, 86% of first-years from out of state. 97% of freshmen live in university housing, falling to 74% across all undergraduates. 17% of students are the first in their family to attend college, and the median family income is $93,458.

What this means for your student

• Course rigor is rated Very Important here, so the senior-year schedule should hold its AP, IB or honors depth rather than lighten. Fairfield University recommends 20 academic units.
• 50% of enrolled students are at a 3.75 GPA or above. Below that line the rest of the application has to carry real weight.
• Early Decision is worth 57 points of admit rate, but it is binding and removes any ability to compare aid offers.
• The waitlist is live but thin: 15 of 2,963 who waited were admitted, about 1%.
• Its highest-earning major returns $118,205 five years out against $58,235 at the other end, a gap wider than the one between most schools.
• See where your student actually stands: calculate their GPA and compare it against the distribution above.

Common questions about Fairfield University

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