Fairfield University

In 2022, tuition for full-time Fairfield University students was $55,510 a year.

Tuition increased 3.51% in 2023–from $53,630 the prior year. On average, college tuition rises about 3% year.

If this makes attending the college of your dreams feel scary, remember, the advertized cost of tuition does not always tell the full story. Many students find the actual cost of college is way less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. Additionally, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college more manageable until you've finishing school and found a job.

Fairfield University meets 80% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Fairfield University is around $36,322 a year.

In 2020, students graduated with an average of $41,297 in student loans for each student with debt.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Fairfield University

Fairfield University is a private, religious institution, which means it has the same tuition for residents of Connecticut as it does for students who live in other states.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state residency can cut the cost of college tuition. Be sure to check your state's criteria for in-state residency. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be additional requirements as well, depending on the state you and your parents currently reside in.

Explore other Connecticut colleges

Is Fairfield University's Tuition Different for International Students?

Tuition at Fairfield University is the same for all students.

International students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but should research private or Fairfield University-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. International students who demonstrate financial need may qualify for the following types of financial support at Fairfield University:

•Athletic Awards •Fairfield University-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.

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Fairfield University Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when budgeting for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Fairfield University.

House and Food Costs at Fairfield University

Housing and campus dining at Fairfield University is $17,500 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a meal plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the Fairfield University's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities. Students who live off campus but still want to use the dining facilities can opt-in for a meal plan. The cost of board-only is $10,700.

Board costs may vary depending on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

How Much Do Books Cost at Fairfield University?

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be additional fees associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools offer resources for students with financial need to find ways to lower or eliminate these costs.

Transportation costs

The cost of transportation in college depends on a few key factors. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. At Fairfield University, freshman are not allowed to park on campus.

Where are a college is located can impact the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, transportation in a city might be expensive, but there may be more trains, busses or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. Fairfield Universityis located in a suburb in Connecticut, not far from New York City.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, be sure to consider personal expenses, like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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The Full Cost of Attending Fairfield University

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Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better estimate of the actual cost of attending Fairfield University.

How Much Does Fairfield University Cost?

What will the cost of attending Fairfield University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$55,510
Room and Board	$17,500
Board Only	$10,240
Other expenses	$1,055

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$74,915
Off-Campus	$67,655

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

Fairfield University’s tuition and fees change based on: •Course load for both full and part-time students

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Financial Aid at Fairfield University

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In 2023, 1,429 of the 4,768 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Fairfield University meets 80% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $36,322 a year. Around 59% of Fairfield University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Fairfield University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $41,297 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$20,823
Private Loans	$68,558

Most Common Loans for Fairfield University Students
Federal Loans	58%
Private loans	18%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Fairfield University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Fairfield University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Fairfield University awarded 1,163 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $47.3 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $55.75 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Fairfield University Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Fairfield University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Fairfield University was $36,322 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Fairfield University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$38,593
Off-Campus	$31,333

What will attending Fairfield University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Fairfield University's net cost calculator on their website.

Fairfield University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Fairfield University does not have guaranteed tuition.

Fairfield University offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Does Fairfield University Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Fairfield University has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Fairfield University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

As of 2022, the total market value of Fairfield University's endowment was $398.9 million. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021. For each full-time student, Fairfield University spends about $15,599 a year.

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Learn More About Fairfield University

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