Founded in 1942, Fairfield University. is a Private college. Located in Connecticut, which is a city setting in Connecticut, the campus itself is Suburban. The campus is home to 4,032 full time undergraduate students, and 1,105 full time graduate students.
The Fairfield University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 12:1. There are 271 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Fairfield University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
61%
Application Deadline
1-Jan
Application Fee
60
SAT Range
ACT Range
Admissions at are considered Selective, with ,29% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 10 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
94% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 69% were in the top quarter, and 28% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Fairfield University.
86 Students rated on-campus housing 3.7 stars. 13 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
59 Students rated off-campus housing 3.1 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
88 Students rated campus food 2.8 stars. 2 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
87 Students rated campus facilities 4.1 stars. 37 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
88 Students rated class size 4.5 stars. 60 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
88 Students rated school activities 4 stars. 33 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
88 Students rated local services 4.2 stars. 49 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
89 Students rated academics 3.8 stars. 31 % gave the school a 5.0.
Fairfield University REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of Fairfield University?
22 Students rated Fairfield University
Kassandra
04/19/2022
In my opinion, Fairfield is one of the best colleges in the United States to go to for a great education. Campus life is calm, everyone is friendly, and it's easy to make connections on campus. As a Jesuit campus, Fairfield values religion and has our very own Chapel where students can go to practice religious studies with nice and friendly priests. The faculty and staff are very nice and will help you as much as they can. Fairfield University is welcoming to all students.
Julie
11/04/2021
I like it here so far. Some dorms are better than others. The random rooming assignments suck, they don't match you up at all and the survey is way too short and general. Some people get lucky, others don't. I had to switch rooms and they were so unhelpful and unsympathetic. This is a pretty big party school Thursday- Saturday, most parties and the beach, townhouses, or dorm rooms. If you don't party, you can find people like you but it's a little tough. Theres lots of clubs here but most do nothing at all. IF YOU TOOK APs/ COLLEGE CREDIT COURSES IN HIGH SCHOOL, most of your credits will only transfer as electives, you will have to take all core classes again (language, English, math, science, sociology, religion, philosophy, psychology, etc.). The core curriculum takes 2+ semesters to finish. Theres a good amount to do Thursday and Friday for people who don't drink, and you can always go into town on the shuttles.
Josie
05/22/2020
Fairfield University is a school that is proud of their academics and proud to create a well-rounded student. The University makes creating a well-rounded student priority by making students take classes such as history, english, visual performing arts, and more before even starting classes pertaining to ther majors. Students at this school are focused on their academics and take them extremely seriously. Fairfield University professors are always willing to help students during their office hours or other scheduled time. The University gives students chances to practice their professional abilities with many workshops that will prepare them for life after school and their future careers.
Kadidiatou
08/12/2019
Fairfield University is great school. If you want to be in city but away from the city , Fairfield University is the place. I love the diversity on and off campus. The staff and student are great. The classroom size are also big to me, the classes are not too big for a student to ask questions and learn.
Amanda
06/19/2019
The campus is beautiful and has a very modern look. The class sizes are advertised as a 1:14 ratio, but classes can be as big as 30 students for one professor. There are a lot of parties at the townhouses on the weekends, but you don't have to go if you don't want to. There are a lot of different clubs and organizations you could attend if you wanted to.
Jonathan
06/19/2019
Completely lacking in diversity or a culture of intellectual curiosity, this school is for the truly basic and bland of Long Island and New Jersey. Honestly, how unadventurous must one be to choose a school in Fairfield County? The campus is like a kindergarten, plenty of security and a strong perimeter to make sure everyone can get loaded on cheap beer without more then the occasional date rape. Don't worry, the curriculum is safe and will ensure no challenging ideas ever need be confronted in class.
sydney
02/19/2019
When choosing colleges I second guessed myself and ended up chasing a school that I wasn't excited about going to. I knew it was not the school for me the second I stepped on campus. The people are all the same. It is an extension of high school. The girls are rude, not friendly, judgmental. Same with the boys. Everyone is superficial and values social status and your appearance in order to be friends with you. I find that most people also hate the school and therefore there is a negative energy at all times, a toxic environment. The party scene is terrible, there are many weekends where nothing is going on and I'm just in my dorm room. Campus security does less protecting and more punishment. I feel like the school doesn't support me, instead tries to screw me over. The dorms are in poor condition. They don't even have enough housing for the class size which can become frustrating. The food is also terrible, I find myself barely eating because the Tully is so repulsive. We have an Instagram page that makes fun of the food. The school is a joke for the money you pay. If you aren't into social climbing and trying hard, than this school is not for you! If you're looking for a normal experience that doesn't remind you of a high school movie, than chose another school. There is no school pride, no one is authentically excited to be here. It has been possibly the worst decision of my life. There is very much a stereotype here, if you do not fit, you will not have a good time. I have never been more depressed and unhappy in my entire life. The lack of support for education is also terrible, I have bad ADD and the support I was offered brought me down academically which means now I cannot even transfer. The support with friends is also terrible. This is the only place I have a hard time making friends and down to earth people. I wish everyday I went somewhere else. Stay clear of this place. If these are supposed to be the best years of my life than I am most definitely sure the rest of my life will suck.
Sophia
02/09/2019
Fairfield University has many opportunities both on and off campus. Academically, it is a great school to go to as the class sizes are small, and professors are always available and want to help. As a Jesuit school, there are overarching themes that could be found in every class that focuses on bettering yourself and others. However, it is expensive as is the surrounding area.
Thomas
05/24/2018
Originally, I didn't want to go to Fairfield. However, after touring, I immediately fell in love with it and have never looked back on my decision. The endless opportunities to get involved start as soon as you put down your deposit--you just have to go out and seek them. Every day, there is something to do, and the student groups do an excellent job in staying active. The amazing Jesuit education available is life-changing, and you will learn SO much by being a Stag. The community is so tight, and everywhere you go, you will find a familiar face. I love being a Fairfield Stag, and am extremely in love with my school.
Taylor
05/14/2018
The University offers small classes and direct contact with professors and Deans. The University continues to grow and offer more activities and academic concentrations. Activities are offered on campus as well as off campus which provide opportunities to further engage in an academic environment, career and internship opportunities as well as extracurricular sports and arts activities.
Catherine
05/11/2018
I love the graduate program I'm in and wouldn't want to be anywhere else!
Katherine
04/25/2018
The campus is beautiful and constantly being renovated. For example we just got a new dining hall, new gym with an indoor track and a new school of nursing building. We are known for our school of nursing and business. We have no big sports like no hockey or football.
John
04/09/2018
I really like Fairfield University. We have a very nice campus that is being improved almost non-stop. They just completed a new parking garage and a new dorm and business center are under construction. The courses are challenging, but the professors are easily available for extra help and I am learning a lot. My two gripes would be that the food could be a lot better and I wish downtown Fairfield CT was closer. The university offers a free bus service, but it is unpredictable. There are a lot of things to do in Fairfield and the surrounding towns, but since Freshman are not allowed to have cars on campus, we have to Uber a lot.
Joseph
01/30/2018
Fairfield University is a great institution that is well known for its academics. The classroom sizes allow for a dynamic classroom where each and every student is able to engage and ask questions. This helps to promote a deeper learning of the material and allows each student to get clarification where needed. The only criticism of Fairfield is that often times events on the weekends are few and far between. A suggestion would be to add more on/off campus events that allow students to have something to do on the weekends if they are not at the beach or doing homework. Also the athletics could use a bigger support system because often times there are few fans at the home games for many of the sports.
Mariana
01/27/2018
Fairfield University is a highly academically accredited university that will provide students with many opportunities to a successful future. Fairfield has a beautiful campus, conveniently located near the beach and town of Fairfield, Ct. The students are friendly, kind, and very inviting. The campus life seems very exciting with many different clubs and activities available to students.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Fairfield University is 61%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
The one piece of advise I would give students about finding the right college and making the most of their college experience is to get involved in as many activities as possible. It's one of the best ways to meet people who are interested in the same things you are. As for parents, let your child make the decision. It is hard enough to try and picture yourself at college, but its even harder when your parents are you their opinions all the time. This is the place that your child will be spending their next four years, let them decide it they could see themselves here.
Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.
My school, Fairfield University, is a great school that has a beatiful campus, great housing opportunities, as well as many activities and clubs that you can get involved in.
What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?
They do not offer certain courses for certain majors. Need to have better cordination when the students get sick and needs medical attention. Lack diversity.
What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?
I am very proud of the liberal arts education that I received at Fairfield University. I appreciate the holistic approach taken to education at Fairfield University, which includes a rigorous core curriculum that epmahsizes critical thinking. Addionally, Fairfield's emphasis on public service and the Jesuit values of social justice. The emphasis on values and service set this university apart from other schools. The pofessors are experts and truly care about their students - more so than in larger, research based universities. Lastly, the campus and location is absolutely beautiful.
What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?
The worst thing about my school is the student body who goes here. They are all alike and accept people who are only like them as well. You could classify most of them as snobs. As far as the school itself, I am satisifed, it is the student body that makes it a rough place to be.
Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!
I chose Fairfield University because of their location being that I have a family and cannot move from my town . As it turns out, Fairfield University has a very good Mechanical Engineering program and the career opportunities are wide for all graduates. A close friend of mine graduated two years ago and is now a project manager for IBM.
Someone who is conservative in religious and cultural views. someone who is willing to work hard in order to succeed in their classes and also someone who comes from an upper middle class background/wealthy background. also someone who is interested in partying.
What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?
Most people think of Fairfield students as rich kids whose parents pay for everything. This is definitely not the case on campus. Yes, with a school as expensive as Fairfield is, there is some of that. But Fairfield gives a lot in financial aid and there are many more students on campus that don't fit the stereotype than those who do.
Overall, I love attending Fairfield. The best thing about it is definitely the size, and it's strong Jesuit identity. These two things combined allow the university to invest a lot into each student. Faculty members are genuinely interested in students and have a passion for teaching - perhaps as a result of their fat paychecks. Fairfield only hires professors with the highest degrees in their respective fields, which means that you are only getting the best education-wise.
One thing I would change: hands down, the cost. I have a substantial amount of merit and need based aid that allows me to come here, but my parents and I are still taking on debt to pay for it. The cost is also probably the biggest controversy on campus. Currently, there is a lot of press over the lack of transparency in the school's spending. I do not go a day without hearing someone say "We pay 50K to go here, and we get blank blank?" Usually refers to our food, the construction on campus, res hall damages, etc. that are common to every campus.
When I tell people I go to Fairfield, their first reaction is that it is an excellent school, but people also obviously are surprised that I spend the money to go there. People assume I'm rich. I'm far from it.
I would not call Fairfield a college town, per se. Residents sort of resent the university because it is insanely expensive to buy real estate in Fairfield and they feel entitled to an idyllic life that rowdy college kids interrupt.
There is a good deal of school pride, but not nearly as much as administration would like. We do not have a football team, and they try to pump up basketball but nevertheless we are NOT a big sports school by any means. You might go to a game to see your friend play, or just for something to do, but it is not a focal point of a weekend like it is at many huge state schools. However, the benefit is that anyone can go to games - there is no lottery for tickets whatsoever. For me personally, the lack of school spirit doesn't bother me because my high school didn't have football and was not a sports school either.
The academics are definitely interesting as long as you put effort into your work. Classes are places from a reciprocal relationship to occur. Professors dedicate their times to teaching students, and in turn, students wow teachers by showing they listen and understand the lessons being taught. My favorite class so far is Memoir Writing. I am a journalism major, so while I love to write creatively, I never get a lot of chances. My professor is young and so knowledgeable about the publishing field. We get to write a lot of stories and read them to the class. The students in my class are always encouraging. Of course, there are complaints from students, but my philosophy is that if you don't like a class, don't take it. It's as simple as that!
What are the most popular student activities/groups?
FUSA or Fairfield University Student Activities is pretty popular in trying to plan better student activities which have gotten much better since my Freshman year
We are a Division I school, besides that we also have club sports and intramural sports. School spirit is a very big thing here, students go dressed in all red and white to all sporting games and at least more than half the population go to all athletic games.
So food is typical college food not a home cooked meal but we are on a 3 week cycle so it is hard to get a repeated meal, there are numerous stations in the dining hall opened 7am-7pm and doesnt close between meals so there is always something for everyone. We also have the Stag which is another option open later, the Levee is the open until 2am and delivers until 11. There is also chinese food, Dominos, and other delivery options (menus will be given to you). The food is good I do not mind eating here, there is also a variety of meal plans that the student can change within the first two weeks of the semester.
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
93% of students attending Fairfield University receive some sort of financial aid.
13% were awarded federal grants.55%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.
