Non-Profit Private
Accredited · New England Commission on Higher Education
Fairfield, Connecticut
45% Acceptance Rate
Fairfield University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
45%Acceptance Rate
3.67Avg GPA
1323Avg SAT
31Avg ACT
$73,371Annual Cost
$88,794Grad Salary
6.8%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
45%
Avg GPA
3.67
Avg SAT
1323
Avg ACT
31
Selectivity
Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1240–1380
ACT Middle 50%
29–32
Need-Based Aid
6.8% receive Pell
Fairfield University Fairfield University, founded in 1942 in Connecticut, is a prestigious private Jesuit university. The 200-acre campus offers comprehensive programs through five schools, with particular strengths in business, nursing, and the arts. Fairfield maintains a 12:1 student-faculty ratio and is classified as an R2 research university. Campus features include the state-of-the-art Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies and the Quick Center for the Arts. The university's athletic teams, the Stags, compete in NCAA Division I as members of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
Fairfield takes pride in its Jesuit tradition of academic excellence and commitment to service. The curriculum emphasizes ethics, critical thinking, and global perspectives across disciplines. Campus life includes over 100 student organizations and extensive community engagement opportunities. Recent additions include the renovated DiMenna-Nyselius Library and the new Recreation Complex. Fairfield's combination of academic quality, beautiful campus setting, and proximity to New York City creates a transformative educational experience rooted in Jesuit values.
Fairfield University Acceptance Rate
Fairfield University admits roughly 45% of its applicant pool, keeping it competitive without being out of reach for a solid student.
What Fairfield University Admissions Looks For
- Test Scores Help: Where submitted, scores near or above the middle 50% strengthen an application.
- Solid, Not Perfect: A GPA trending upward matters more than one that's flat.
Selectivity at a Glance
Selective
Selectivity scale: Selective — 45% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.67 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.47 – 3.66
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.22
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Fairfield University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Fairfield University is November 1 for Early Action applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 83 days left — Early Action
Early Action
November 1
Decision by: December 15
Early Decision I
November 1
Decision by: December 15
Early Decision II
January 15
Decision by: February 15
Regular Decision
January 15
Decision by: March 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Fairfield University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Fairfield University is 3.67. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.37 and 3.67? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.87–4.07.Fairfield University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.67 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.47 – 3.66
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.27 – 3.46
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.26
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Admits by specific school (Business/Nursing/Engineering), not general university
- No supplemental essay - only the standard Common App essay is required
- ~25% admit rate for the Class of 2029; test-optional for most applicants
- ED I: Nov 15, ED II & Regular Decision: Jan 15, EA: Nov 1 - with rolling review favoring early applicants
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Fairfield University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Fairfield University's verified institutional data
--%
Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Fairfield University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Fairfield University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Fairfield University Without SAT or ACT?
Fairfield University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Fairfield University Average SAT Score: 1323
The average SAT score of admitted students at Fairfield University is 1323 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1323 — Competitive
This average is solidly above the national mean, without being in elite-tier territory.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1380 SAT or 32 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Fairfield University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1240, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Fairfield University. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 655 | 620 | 690 |
| SAT Reading | 655 | 620 | 690 |
| SAT Composite | 1323 | 1240 | 1380 |
Below 1240, you're behind most admitted students; at 1380 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1300
Can I get into Fairfield University with a 1400 SAT?
A 1400 SAT puts you ahead of most of Fairfield University's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Fairfield University ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Fairfield University is 31.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 31 — Very Competitive
An average of 31 is well above the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 30 | 28 | 31 |
| ACT Composite | 31 | 29 | 32 |
Can I get into Fairfield University with a 32 ACT?
A 32 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Fairfield University's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Fairfield University.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Fairfield University
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
Competitive positioning at Fairfield University means clearing the academic bar comfortably, then using the rest of your application to show genuine fit.
Apply directly to the school you actually want
Fairfield admits by school - Dolan Business, Egan Nursing, Engineering, or Arts & Sciences - not to the university generally. Switching later is hard, especially into Nursing: Fairfield doesn't accept transfer students into the full-time BS Nursing program at all.
Use your one Common App essay to show program fit
Fairfield has no supplemental essay - just the standard Common App essay - so make it count by referencing something specific: a Dolan finance/accounting direct-admission track, Engineering's small hands-on labs, or Nursing's sophomore-year clinical placements.
Schedule the optional interview anyway
Fairfield's own admissions counselors have said demonstrated interest now carries more weight than in past cycles. An interview is one of the clearest, lowest-effort ways to show it, even though it's technically optional.
Apply early if Fairfield is a top choice
With roughly a 25% admit rate for the Class of 2029 and rolling review, Early Action (Nov 1) or Early Decision (Nov 15/Jan 15) gets your file read while more spots - and more scholarship funds - are still available.
Expert Insight:
Nursing applicants who assume they can switch into the BS Nursing program later, or transfer in from another school, are usually wrong - Fairfield's full-time nursing program is closed to transfers, a detail many applicants miss until it's too late.
Fairfield University Profile
Full Name
Fairfield University
City
Fairfield
State
Connecticut
ZIP Code
06824-5195
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
Is a Fairfield University Degree Worth It?
Fairfield University offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $93,500, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.6%.
How much does a degree from Fairfield University Cost?
The sticker price is $73,371/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
6.8% of students receive a Pell Grant and 47.6% take federal loans at Fairfield University. File your FAFSA early and list Fairfield University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Fairfield University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $88,794. That's about 119% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Fairfield University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Santa Paula, CA | 1277 | 29 |
| United States Coast Guard Academy | New London, CT | 1290 | 28 |
| University of Delaware | Newark, DE | 1297 | 29 |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 1277 | 27 |
| Rollins College | Winter Park, FL | 1304 | 29 |
| Agnes Scott College | Decatur, GA | 1296 | 29 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Fairfield University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
| Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | 1323 | 29 |
| Simmons University | Boston, MA | 1332 | 29 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Fairfield University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA | 1367 | 32 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | 1353 | 31 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO | 1403 | 31 |
Degree Programs at Fairfield University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Fairfield University Admissions
Fairfield University graduates typically earn around $88,794 a year, on the higher end depending on industry.
At about $73,371 a year, Fairfield University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
Pell Grant data isn't published for Fairfield University. Contact the financial aid office directly about need- and merit-based options.
At 45%, Fairfield University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Fairfield University average a 3.67 GPA.
Fairfield University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.37 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.27, Fairfield University becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Fairfield University — aim above 1323, ideally within the 1240–1380 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Fairfield University is November 1 for Early Action applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 15.
The application fee is 60. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is November 1, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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