At $46,274/yr net price, Fairfield University graduates earn $88,794/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $54,794/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $46,274 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $185,096 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $88,794/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$54,794/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 83.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $32,161/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $28,062/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $35,003/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $39,355/yr |
| $110,001+ | $49,644/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $150,874 | $77,946 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $104,749 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $76,749 | $25,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Master | $73,737 | |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Bachelor | $69,338 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $68,666 | $26,644 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $68,363 | $28,450 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $66,653 | |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $64,608 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $62,343 | $26,633 |
The Risk Factor
83.8% of students at Fairfield University graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Fairfield University gives you a solid financial return, backed by an 83.8% graduation rate and median debt of $26,000 that stays below the median 10-year earnings of $88,794. You finish, you earn, and your loan load stays manageable. That combination is the whole case for paying this school's price.
The programs that pay off here are practical and career-locked. Nursing leads the bachelor's list, and its graduates carry about $25,000 in debt against strong starting pay, a clean ratio given Connecticut's dense hospital market and proximity to New York healthcare systems. Management Information Systems, mechanical engineering, finance, and accounting all cluster in the low-to-high $60,000s at graduation, which fits Fairfield County's finance and corporate base along the I-95 corridor. If you come here for nursing, engineering, or a business track like finance or accounting, the money works.
The risk is the sticker. At $46,274 a year, Fairfield is expensive, and only the listed career-focused majors show earnings data strong enough to justify it. If you enroll for a program outside nursing, engineering, or business, you're paying private-school prices without proof the payoff follows.
The net price tiers reveal an odd wrinkle. Families earning under $48,000 pay less here (around $28,000 to $32,000) than families in the $48,000 to $110,000 middle bands, who pay $35,000 to $39,000. If your income sits in that middle range, you carry a heavier share and should compare Fairfield hard against in-state public options. Families over $110,000 pay close to full freight at $49,644.
Fairfield fits you if you want nursing, engineering, or business and can absorb the cost or qualify for the lower-income tiers. Look elsewhere if you're middle-income chasing a major that isn't on the earnings list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fairfield University worth the high tuition cost?
At $46,274 net price annually, Fairfield University delivers mixed ROI depending on your major. Nursing graduates earn $150,874 within 10 years, making the investment worthwhile, but other programs may not justify the cost given the $88,794 average graduate salary.
What are the best paying majors at Fairfield University?
Nursing programs at Fairfield University offer the strongest financial returns, with graduates earning up to $150,874 annually. Finance and Management Information Systems also provide decent returns at around $70,000, though still below the school's high cost.
How much debt do Fairfield University students typically graduate with?
Fairfield University graduates carry a median debt of $26,000, which is manageable compared to many private schools. However, with the high net price of over $46,000 yearly, many students rely heavily on family funding or financial aid.
Does Fairfield University provide good financial aid to offset costs?
Despite financial aid, Fairfield University's net price remains high at $46,274 per year for most families. The 83.8% graduation rate suggests students can complete their degrees, but the financial burden remains substantial for middle-class families who don't qualify for need-based aid.