Fairfield University

Fairfield University is a private Jesuit Catholic university in Fairfield, Connecticut. Founded in 1942, it is known for a strong student experience, solid career outcomes, broad experiential learning and a campus that combines New England charm with easy access to New York City.

For students planning the September 2026 intake, Fairfield is a strong fit if you want a well-regarded national university with internships, a 200-acre campus, strong alumni connections and a location that puts both the shoreline and NYC within easy reach.

Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Institution type	Private Jesuit Catholic university
Location	Fairfield, Connecticut
Popular intake	September 2026
Founded	1942
Campus size	200 acres
Undergraduate students	5,300
Student housing	98% of first-year students live on campus
Financial support	95% of students receive scholarships or financial aid
Schools and colleges	5 colleges
Nearby access	About 60 minutes to New York City

Why Fairfield Can Be A Good Fit

Fairfield combines the feel of a residential New England campus with access to major career markets. The university says internships, community service and leadership projects are a core extension of classroom learning, and its campus location supports that mix well.

The school also has a strong outcomes story. Recent graduate outcomes show high employment or graduate-school placement, and Fairfield's rankings page highlights recognition for undergraduate teaching, career services, salary impact and student experience.

Jesuit education is another major part of the appeal. Fairfield emphasizes educating the whole person, which means academics, leadership, service and reflection all sit close together rather than being separate parts of college life.

2026 Tuition Snapshot

Fairfield publishes official 2026-27 undergraduate tuition and fee data, which is the latest available for September 2026 planning.

Cost component	2026-27 figure	Notes
Tuition	USD 61,390	Arts and Sciences, Business, Engineering, Nursing
Residence hall room	USD 8,560 to USD 15,720	Varies by room type
Townhouse or apartment room	USD 12,510 to USD 18,540	Varies by occupancy
Board	USD 7,690 to USD 8,430	Depends on meal plan
Undergrad activity fee	USD 1,025	Fall semester charge
Orientation fee	USD 425	Freshmen only

Admission Snapshot

Area	What students should check
Application platform	Common Application only
Test policy	Test optional
Early Action deadline	November 1
Early Decision I deadline	November 15
Early Decision II / Regular Decision deadline	January 15
International English requirement	TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo required if English is not the native language
International documentation	WES or ECE preferred for evaluation
Start date	September 2026 is the main fall planning intake

Campus And Student Life

Fairfield's campus covers 200 acres in southwestern Connecticut and offers traditional residence halls, apartments and townhouses. The setting gives students an active campus community while still leaving room for weekend trips to the beach or the city.

Student life is broad and energetic. Fairfield highlights athletics, clubs, campus ministry, wellness, leadership projects and a strong student experience, which helps the university feel both residential and professionally oriented.

Who Should Consider Fairfield?

Fairfield can suit students who want:

• A September 2026 US intake close to New York City
• A Jesuit Catholic university with strong values and community
• Internship and career support from the first year
• A campus with strong student life and high residential participation
• A nationally recognized school for teaching, career services and student experience

Things To Check Before Applying

Before finalising Fairfield, students should confirm:

• Their intended school or college
• Merit scholarship and financial aid options
• Housing type and cost
• Program-specific requirements for nursing or other competitive majors
• International document and English-score requirements if applying from abroad

Fairfield University is especially popular with students who want a strong residential campus, a Jesuit education and easy access to career opportunities in the Northeast.

Key Highlights

Popular for	Why students choose it
Jesuit education	Whole-person learning with service and reflection
New York access	About 60 minutes to NYC
Student experience	Strong campus life and a nationally recognized student environment
Internships	Experiential learning starts as early as the first year
Teaching quality	U.S. News 2026 recognized Fairfield for undergraduate teaching
Career services	Princeton Review ranked Fairfield highly for career services
Nursing	Strong recognition for undergraduate nursing
Residential experience	98% of first-year students live on campus

Why Students Choose Fairfield

Students often choose Fairfield because it feels balanced. The university has the scale and resources of a national institution, but it still offers a campus-centered experience where students are likely to know one another and stay engaged.

Another reason is career positioning. Fairfield's location gives students access to the Connecticut and New York markets, while the university's internship and professional development model helps students build experience before graduation.

Best Fit For September 2026

Fairfield is a good match for students planning the September 2026 intake if they want:

• A residential East Coast university
• Strong career services and internships
• A values-driven Jesuit environment
• Access to city, shore and campus life in one place
• A college with a visible student experience

Useful To Know

Fairfield notes that it has students from more than 50 countries, which gives the campus a global feel without losing its close-knit identity.