Overview of Fairfield University

Fairfield University is a private Catholic University situated an hour from New York City in Fairfield, Connecticut. The university curriculum emphasizes experiential learning across disciplinary boundaries. Fairfield has outstanding international programs and has produced several Fulbright Scholars. The institution has a large selection of undergraduate and graduate degree programs for students to choose from. A robust student/faculty ratio backs students, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations.  Its accomplishment in the liberal arts and STEM earned the school a chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 5,273 (4,177 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 40 percent male/60 percent female
• 95 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $49,830
• Books: $1,150
• Room and Board: $15,150
• Other Expenses: $1,730
• Total Cost: $67,860

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 91 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 88 percent
  • Loans: 55 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $23,221
  • Loans: $6,801

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Health Professions and Related Programs; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Social Sciences; and Psychology

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 90 percent
• Transfer-Out Rate: 17 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 81 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Tennis
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Crew-Rowing, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Volleyball
• In athletics, the Fairfield Stags play in the NCAA Division I Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

Overview of Fairfield University Admissions

Fairfield University, which accepts over half of applicants, has a competitive admissions pool. However, Fairfield is test-optional, meaning that students can select whether or not to submit scores from the SAT or ACT. This institution has a robust admissions process that involves a multitude of academic measures. Applicants should complete an online application. A persuasive essay and glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside of the admissions offices mean range. After applying, students will receive a message from an admissions counselor about the next steps of the application process. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.

Admissions Data                        

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, Fairfield University had an acceptance rate of 60%.  for every 100 students who submitted applications, 60 students gained admission, making Fairfield’s admissions process competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 73% of admitted students provided SAT scores. This admissions data reveals that of those students who provided scores during the 2018-19 admissions phase, most of Fairfield’s admitted students fall within the top 35% on the SAT. , 50% of students admitted to Fairfield scored between 600 and 660 on the evidence-based reading and writing section, while 25% scored below 600, and 25% scored over 660. 50% of students scored between 590 and 680 on the math section, while 25% scored below 590, and 25% scored above 680. The SAT is optional; this data reveals that a cumulative SAT score of 1340 or higher is competitive for Fairfield University.

ACT Requirements and Scores

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 27% of admitted students provided ACT scores. This admissions data reveals that of those who provided scores during the 2018-19 admissions phase, most of Fairfield’s admitted students fall within the top 18% on the ACT. The median 50% of students admitted to Fairfield received a cumulative ACT score between 25 and 29, while 25% scored over 29, and 25% scored below 25.

GPA

In 2019, the mean high school GPA for Fairfield University’s freshmen class was 3.36, and over 44% had mean GPAs of 3.75 or higher. Successful applicants have A grades primarily.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for Fairfield University, then it should be easy for you to gain admissions to the schools below. If Fairfield University is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

Temple University, Seton Hall University, Quinnipiac University, Ohio University, University of Alabama, University of North Texas, California State University Long Beach

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for Fairfield University, then you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

Syracuse University, Drexel University, University of California, Davis, Chapman University, University of Cincinnati, Penn State University Park, United States Military Academy

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will Be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than Fairfield University. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

University of California, Santa Barbara, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Stony Brook University, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Connecticut, University of California, Irvine, Rochester Institute of Technology

Applying to Fairfield University

Application Deadline: January 15

Undergraduate Admissions Website: https://www.fairfield.edu/undergraduate/

Undergraduate Application Link(s):

https://www.fairfield.edu/undergraduate/visit-and-apply/how-to-apply/index.html

Graduate Admissions Website:

https://www.fairfield.edu/graduate-and-professional-studies/admission-and-financial-aid/index.html

Graduate Application Link(s):

https://www.fairfield.edu/graduate-and-professional-studies/admission-andfinancial-aid/admission/how-to-apply/index.html