Fairfield University (FU) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Located in Fairfield, Connecticut, Fairfield University is a liberal arts, Jesuit institution that provides over thirty bachelor’s programs and nearly forty graduate programs. Founded in 1942, the university that began as a small college of arts and sciences has grown to a top-ranking university that provides a wide array of educational opportunities to students from all walks of life in all phases of their educational careers.

The Stags field twenty different varsity teams and the university also offers a wide array of club sports and intramural activities. The city of Fairfield offers numerous opportunities for fine dining, clubs and other social activities as well as opening up many internship options for students. The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts is right on campus and offers many cultural and social opportunities for students and local residents.

Videos

Information Summary

Ranks 12th in Connecticut and 849th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	82.3
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$65,940
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	16 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	90% / N/A
Enrollment Total (all students)	5,273

Academics

Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate academic programs include over thirty undergraduate majors taught in five different schools and colleges. These include the College of Arts and Sciences, The Charles F. Dolan School of Business, School of Nursing, School of Engineering and the University College Continuing Studies Program. This last program is a flexible program designed for adults with the need or desire for a higher education, but not the time. Classes in this program are available on the weekends, at night and online and offer a wide variety of options for students at every stage of higher education.

The College of Arts and Sciences offers such programs as biology, communication, English, psychology, and visual and performing arts. This is the largest program in the school by far and offers the majority of the diverse programs. The other colleges tend to specialize in just a few degrees that are very topic-specific.

Graduate Programs

The university offers nearly forty graduate degrees that students may pursue from the same schools listed above as well as the Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions. Some of the degrees offered include such subjects as American studies, communication, accounting, business administration, engineering, education and nursing.

There are also several different programs for students seeking continuing education credits, personal enrichment courses or high school dual enrollment. Students have the opportunity to study abroad in more than fifty locations. For more information on these programs potential students should refer to the website or contact the university for more information.

Most Popular Fields of Study

Gallery

Admissions

The university takes a holistic approach to the admissions procedure because as a Jesuit institution they believe that looking carefully at the student overall reflects their mission the educate the student as a whole person.

Undergraduate Admissions

First-time students wishing to apply will need to start the process by completing the Common Application and the Common Application Supplement online. This may be submitted either online or printed and submitted to the university on paper. Students are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores, although they may do so if they choose, or they may opt to to answer an additional question on the in-house supplement to the Common Application. Students choosing this option will be asked to think about the university’s mission and then explain how they see themselves contributing to the community. Students that choose to answer the additional question instead of submitting test scores are strongly encouraged to schedule an interview with the school or an alumnus.

Other items that must be submitted include official high school transcripts, the Secondary School Report completed by a high school counselor, a personal statement outlining extracurricular activities and the application fee. Students may also submit recommendations from teachers. TOEFL scores are also recommended if the student has resided in the country for less than five years and English is not the applicant’s native language.

Graduate School Admissions

Students wishing to apply to any of the graduate schools must complete the Application for Graduate Admission form online along with the application fee. Other required documentation includes a professional resume, a personal statement of work experience and goals, official undergraduate transcripts and two recommendations, one of which should be from an employer. Applicants may also be required to participate in an interview.

According to Connecticut law, all students must submit proof of measles, mumps and rubella vaccination prior to starting school. Some programs may have additional requirements so students should refer to the program to which they are applying for more information.

International students and transfer students have additional requirements for both the undergraduate and graduate programs and should refer to the website or contact the school for more information.

Financial Aid

the financial aid office offers support to students in the form of need-based and merit-based scholarships, grants, federally subsidized loans and work-study programs. In order to be eligible for financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA) that is available online starting in January. Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible in order to be eligible for all forms of aid. Financial information for both the student and the family is required in order to complete the FAFSA, so students should have this readily available prior to starting the application.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 1154th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Connecticut.

Athletics

The Stags are an NCAA Division I athletics organization that plays in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). The university offers twenty varsity sports teams including men’s and women’s basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, swimming and diving, soccer, rowing and tennis. Men may also choose to play baseball while women have the additional options of field hockey, softball and volleyball. School colors are red and white.

The university also offers nearly twenty club sports and twenty five intramural teams and activities for students who wish to compete at something other than the varsity level. These sports frequently only practice once or twice per week and don’t require nearly the level of dedication and travel that varsity sports do. Some of the club sports include baseball, equestrian, lacrosse, co-ed ski and snowboarding and track. Examples of intramural activities include pickleball, basketball, dodgeball, racquetball and softball.

Fairfield University