Business Administration, Management and Operations at Fairfield University

Fairfield's business program sits in an unusual position: its graduates earn significantly above the national average yet trail the Connecticut median by over $3,700 annually. For a private university with a $1,323 SAT average and 7% Pell recipients—indicators of an affluent student body—this 40th percentile state ranking reveals that similar outcomes can be achieved at less selective Connecticut schools, including public options like UConn.

The strong earnings trajectory offers some reassurance. Four years out, graduates average nearly $74,000, a 46% jump that outpaces typical business degree growth. The $25,000 debt level matches the state median and remains reasonable at 0.49 times first-year earnings, though families should factor in that Fairfield's private school tuition means total costs likely exceed this borrowing figure for most students. The moderate sample size suggests these numbers reflect genuine program outcomes rather than statistical noise.

The value question hinges on what you're paying versus state alternatives. Charter Oak and Post University graduates actually earn more right out of the gate, while UConn delivers comparable results at in-state tuition rates. Unless Fairfield's network or campus experience justifies the price premium, Connecticut families have multiple paths to similar or better earnings outcomes without the private university price tag.