Fairfield University
Fairfield, Connecticut · Private Nonprofit · 33.3% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 79/100 · Strong Value
Fairfield University scores 79 (Strong Value) on the CampusROI scale, a number driven by a 6.2-year payback period, an 84.3% completion rate, and $56,500 median 6-year earnings -- the latter rising to $88,794 at 10 years. Fairfield is a Jesuit university in southwestern Connecticut, 60 miles from New York City, with a strong business school and nursing program that anchor its best financial outcomes. Net price of $48,095 is high, but the payback period and strong completions make the math work for students in the top programs. Finance and Financial Management leads by graduate volume (254 graduates) at $62,952 year-one and $106,663 at year four. Economics (52 graduates) earns $74,023 at year one and $120,303 at year four. Registered Nursing (197 graduates) earns $91,418 at year one. The 6.9% Pell grant rate is notably low -- Fairfield's student body is predominantly from higher-income families, and the net price of $48,095 reflects an institution with limited need-based aid reach at the bottom of the income distribution. The Business and Nursing tracks produce genuinely strong outcomes; humanities and English programs carry D-grade ROI scores and require different financial justifications.
The median graduate earns $88,794 ten years after entry - well above the national median of roughly $55,000 for 4-year college graduates.
Fairfield University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $58,350/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $58,350/yr |
| Average net price | $48,095/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $192,380 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $88,794 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $56,500 |
| Median debt at graduation | $26,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $276 |
| Estimated payback period | 6.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 84.3% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 5,373 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Fairfield University is $58,350/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $48,095/year, or roughly $192,380 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $33,302/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $50,773/year.
The median graduate leaves with $26,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $276 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $88,794 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.46 - well within manageable territory.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $33,302 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $35,155 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $26,953 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $44,077 |
| $110,001+ | $50,773 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 income bracket pays $33,302 net per year at Fairfield -- among the highest for any income tier and a steep ask for low-income families. The institution's 6.9% Pell rate reflects the limited reach of its need-based aid. Four years at this price produces roughly $133,000 in costs. For low-income students, the case rests almost entirely on whether they secure a seat in Finance, Nursing, or Accounting -- programs where $90,000+ in four-year costs can be serviced by strong post-graduation earnings. For other programs, the cost burden is very high.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $26,953 per year -- the lowest point in Fairfield's income schedule, showing an inversion where this bracket receives the most aid. The 75001-110000 bracket jumps to $44,077, suggesting the aid formula compresses rapidly above $75,000. Middle-income families in the $48,000-$75,000 range should note this advantage and run the net price calculator carefully, as it may be a more favorable enrollment tier than the headline net price suggests.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000 or more pay $50,773 net per year -- essentially full cost. At $203,000 over four years, the investment case depends entirely on program track. Finance, Nursing, and Economics graduates at Fairfield can service that cost; humanities, arts, and social science graduates face a far more difficult payback period at full price. High-income families choosing Fairfield over comparable-selectivity schools should compare the specific program outcomes, not just the institutional average.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Fairfield University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management | $106,663 | B |
| Registered Nursing | $101,831 | B+ |
| Marketing | $86,740 | C+ |
| Accounting | $110,586 | B |
| Psychology | $70,211 | C |
| Communication and Media Studies | $78,081 | C |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $84,962 | C+ |
| Economics | $120,303 | B |
| Mechanical Engineering | $91,633 | B |
| International Relations | $83,709 | D |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Finance and Financial Management
Finance is Fairfield's largest program at 254 graduates and anchors the business school's value case: $62,952 at year one and $106,663 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.429 (ROI grade B). Finance graduates from a Connecticut school 60 miles from Wall Street enter a labor market where banking, asset management, and insurance employers recruit actively. The four-year trajectory to $106,663 reflects finance career progression. Median debt of $27,000 is manageable against these earnings.
Economics
Economics (52 graduates) earns $74,023 at year one and $120,303 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.358 (ROI grade B). These are strong numbers -- the year-one figure of $74,023 is among the highest of any program here, and the four-year trajectory to $120k reflects finance and consulting career arcs. Median debt of $26,500 is reasonable against these earnings. Economics at Fairfield, with proximity to New York financial markets, is a credible four-year investment for the right student.
Accounting
Accounting (115 graduates) earns $71,747 at year one and $110,586 at year four (ROI grade B, debt-to-earnings 0.371). Accounting is a high-demand path into Big Four and regional firm public accounting careers, and Fairfield's proximity to Hartford and Stamford financial services markets supports strong placement. The four-year figure of $110,586 reflects senior associate and manager-level compensation at CPA-track firms. This is one of the more defensible ROI programs at Fairfield's price point.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing (197 graduates) earns $91,418 at year one and $101,831 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.295 (ROI grade B+). Nursing at Fairfield is a competitive program that places graduates into Connecticut and New York metropolitan healthcare markets, where hospital wages are among the highest in the country. The year-one figure of $91,418 reflects this premium. Despite Fairfield's high net price, nursing graduates are positioned to service their $27,000 median debt quickly.
Marketing
Marketing (157 graduates) earns $53,891 at year one and $86,740 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.501 (ROI grade C+). The four-year trajectory to $86k is reasonable for marketing professionals in the Northeast. Year-one earnings of $53,891 are a decent entry point, though $27,000 in median debt requires disciplined repayment. Students in this program benefit from Fairfield's NYC-proximity recruiting access -- marketing roles at media, tech, and consumer brands in the New York metro are a realistic target.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 84.9% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 85.8% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 85.7% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 91.2% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 33.3% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 630-690 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 630-700 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 29-32 |
| Enrollment | 5,373 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 6.9% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $13,298 |
Fairfield's 33.3% admission rate places it in the moderately selective tier. SAT 630-700 Reading and 630-690 Math describe the middle range; the ACT composite of 29-32 is the parallel floor. Test scores are necessary but not sufficient; Fairfield's Jesuit mission emphasizes service, whole-person formation, and community. The low Pell rate (6.9%) signals that institutional aid is concentrated among higher-income families -- students below $30,000 annual income see net prices of $33,302 per year, which is still a heavy commitment relative to outcomes for most programs.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Fairfield's Scorecard peers include Albertus Magnus College, University of Bridgeport, Case Western Reserve University, University of Rochester, and Brandeis University. Among these, Case Western (ROI 88), Rochester (ROI 86), and Brandeis (ROI 84) all outperform Fairfield (79) -- though they are also more selective and carry higher sticker prices. Fairfield's strongest argument relative to this group is its 6.2-year payback period and 84.3% completion rate, both of which are competitive. Its Pell rate of 6.9% is notably lower than most peers, reflecting a more selective socioeconomic intake. Students comparing these schools should look at program-specific outcomes rather than institutional averages.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfield University (this school) | 79 | $48,095 | $88,794 |
| University of Rochester | 85 | $29,278 | $79,042 |
| Case Western Reserve University | 85 | $41,190 | $87,989 |
| Brandeis University | 77 | $35,736 | $77,231 |
| Albertus Magnus College | 39 | $34,028 | $60,144 |
| University of Bridgeport | 27 | $27,807 | $50,323 |
Who Thrives Here
Fairfield admits 33.3% of applicants, with SAT mid-ranges of 630-690 Math and 630-700 Reading, and ACT composite 29-32. Enrollment is 5,373, giving it the feel of a mid-sized private university. The student body skews affluent -- Pell rate of 6.9% is among the lowest for institutions of this size -- and the campus culture reflects a residential, Catholic university 60 miles from Manhattan. Students drawn to finance, accounting, nursing, and business management in a Northeastern coastal market find the most direct ROI here. Students considering arts, humanities, or social sciences should weigh the cost differential against comparable programs at public universities.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
Fairfield University delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $48,095 per year ($192,380 over four years), graduates earn a median of $88,794 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 6.2 years - a solid return on the investment.
The data highlights several strengths: a 84.3% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $26,000 is very manageable against $88,794 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.