Fairfield University ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
Quick answer
USACollegeData.com ROI analysis (College Scorecard data): four years at Fairfield University costs about $225,440 in in-state tuition, and graduates earn a median of $73,693 five years after graduation — the investment breaks even in roughly 5.8 years (20-year ROI: 243%).
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$225,440
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$38,693/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
5.8 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
243%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
One year after graduation, Fairfield University graduates earn a median of $61,503, which is slightly higher than the annual tuition cost of $56,360. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $73,693, and after ten years, graduates earn $88,794. The median debt for graduates is $26,000, and 47.6% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year earnings, is approximately 0.42. This indicates that the median debt is about 42% of the graduates' annual income one year after graduation.
Based on the provided data, the break-even point, or the time it takes for the cumulative earnings to surpass the cumulative tuition cost, is less than one year. This is because the one-year earnings exceed the annual tuition cost.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$56,360
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$73,693
Graduation Rate
84%
Receive Financial Aid
48%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $150,813 | 927% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $98,540 | 464% |
| Accounting and Related Services | $94,354 | 427% |
| Marketing | $75,350 | 258% |
| Communication and Media Studies | $63,356 | 152% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $73,938 | 245% |
| Psychology, General | $61,555 | 136% |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $0 | N/A |
| Mechanical Engineering | $85,931 | 352% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $0 | N/A |
| English Language and Literature, General | $59,811 | 120% |
| Political Science and Government | $65,857 | 174% |
| Economics | $81,906 | 316% |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $0 | N/A |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $60,929 | 130% |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | $58,503 | 109% |
Peer Comparison
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.