Fairfield University Acceptance Rate
Fairfield, Connecticut · Private not-for-profit · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 15,463
- Admitted
- 6,956
- Yield
- 20.6%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Fairfield University's acceptance rate has fallen from 71.5% in 2014–15 to 45% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 9,978 to 15,463 (+55%) over that period.
Its 45% rate makes Fairfield University more selective than about 87% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 23 tracked Connecticut schools, it is more selective than about 74%.
In 2023–24, men were admitted at a higher rate (43.8% for women vs 46.8% for men, a 3-point gap). Fairfield University has been test-optional since 2019–20. Of admitted students, 20.6% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 9,978 | 7,137 | 71.5% | 1,056 |
| 2015–16 | 10,767 | 6,995 | 65% | 966 |
| 2016–17 | 11,055 | 6,795 | 61.5% | 1,056 |
| 2017–18 | 11,218 | 6,794 | 60.6% | 994 |
| 2018–19 | 11,361 | 6,851 | 60.3% | 1,091 |
| 2019–20 | 12,315 | 7,035 | 57.1% | 1,176 |
| 2020–21 | 12,586 | 7,065 | 56.1% | 1,118 |
| 2021–22 | 12,674 | 7,073 | 55.8% | 1,256 |
| 2022–23 | 13,359 | 6,971 | 52.2% | 1,328 |
| 2023–24 | 15,463 | 6,956 | 45% | 1,436 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 9,354 | 4,096 | 43.8% |
| Men | 6,109 | 2,860 | 46.8% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 620–690 | 21% |
| SAT Math | 620–690 | |
| ACT Composite | 29–32 | 5% |
How Fairfield University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Fairfield University's acceptance rate?
Fairfield University's acceptance rate is 45% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (6,956 admitted of 15,463 applicants).
Is Fairfield University test optional?
Fairfield University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Fairfield University?
Fairfield University received 15,463 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 6,956.
What SAT score do you need for Fairfield University?
Admitted students at Fairfield University typically scored 620–690 on SAT Reading/Writing and 620–690 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Fairfield University getting harder to get into?
Fairfield University has become harder to get into: its acceptance rate went from 71.5% in 2014–15 to 45% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: fairfield.edu/.