Fairfield University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Fairfield University charges a net price of $48,095/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $192,380. Graduates earn a median $88,794 ten years after entry, $40,434/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 4.8 years — a 20-year net return of $616,300, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Fairfield University's 4.8-year payback ranks #392 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 69% of them, and #11 of 36 in Connecticut.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $48,095/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $192,380 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $88,794 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $40,434/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $26,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 4.8 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $616,300 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Fairfield University's own numbers. Net price $48,095 × 4 years = $192,380 total. Median earnings $88,794 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $40,434 a year of premium. $192,380 ÷ $40,434 = 4.8 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $616,300. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Fairfield University students graduate with?
A median $26,000 in federal loans among completers, or 29% of the $88,794 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Fairfield University students graduate?
84% finish their degree. Spread the $192,380 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $229,024 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Fairfield University expensive compared with other Connecticut colleges?
Its $48,095 net price runs $22,044 above the $26,052 median across the 36 Connecticut colleges we profile, or $88,174 more across the full degree.