Economics at Fairfield University

Fairfield's economics program commands near-luxury pricing but delivers top-tier results that justify the investment. With first-year earnings of $74,023, graduates significantly outpace Connecticut's median for economics majors ($52,227) and rank in the 80th percentile statewide—trailing only elite competitors like Yale and Trinity. The $26,500 median debt translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36, meaning graduates owe just over four months of salary, well below concerning thresholds.

The earnings trajectory shows healthy 11% growth to $81,906 by year four, suggesting graduates enter career paths with genuine advancement potential rather than dead-end first jobs. Nationally, this program sits in the 95th percentile for earnings—a remarkable achievement considering economics is offered at over 800 schools. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) provides reasonable confidence in these outcomes without the volatility of very small cohorts.

For families weighing Fairfield's price tag, this data offers reassurance: the program produces graduates who can comfortably manage their debt while building toward six-figure earnings. The 7% Pell Grant rate suggests most families here are paying sticker price, yet the employment outcomes indicate the university's career network and credential value are delivering real market advantages beyond what the curriculum alone might provide.