Fairfield University
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO ESTABLISH, ORGANIZE, MAINTAIN AND CONDUCT AN INSTITUTION FOR SECONDARY, UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE EDUCATION IN THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT, AND TO PERFORM SUCH OTHER WORKS OF EDUCATION, CHARITY AND RELIGION. SEE SCHEDULE O.
- Income
- $558.6 million
- Spending
- $473.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- -1.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 80%
- Employees
- 3,771
- Volunteers
- 830
- Highest pay
- $1.1 million, president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 27% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 14% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2528 of 31 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $332.2 million spent. HIGHER LEARNING: FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY IS AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING WITH UNDERGRADUATE, GRADUATE, DOCTORATE AND CONTINUING EDUCATION ACADEMIC PROGRAMS INCLUDING STUDENTS RESIDING ON CAMPUS AND INCLUDES A COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL. SEE SCHEDULE O. Founded in 1942, Fairfield University is a Jesuit Catholic institution rooted in the liberal arts and committed to educating students for lives of purpose and impact. The University offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, 31 interdisciplinary minors, and over 50 graduate programs including master's degrees, doctoral programs, and graduate certificates across a broad range of disciplines. In 2024, Fairfield University expanded its academic offerings through Fairfield Bellarmine, a two-year associate's degree program designed to broaden access to higher education and support student progression to bachelor's degree completion. The program's first cohort graduated in May 2025. Fairfield Bellarmine achieved a nearly 80 percent two-year graduation rate, significantly exceeding the current three-year graduation rate of under 20 percent for community colleges in Connecticut. Of the 35 graduates in the Class of 2025, approximately 90 percent matriculated into bachelor's degree programs at Fairfield University. Fairfield University serves as a significant educational, economic, and civic institution in Connecticut. As the largest private employer in the Town of Fairfield, the University plays a substantial role in regional workforce development and economic activity. A report from the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges (CCIC) estimates Fairfield University's annual economic contribution to the State of Connecticut at approximately $1.2 billion. The University also creates and supports approximately 9,000 jobs statewide. With more than 20,000 alumni residing and working in Connecticut-including 974 alumni-owned businesses-the University contributes meaningfully to the state's long-term economic growth and professional leadership pipeline. The University maintains active partnerships with 95 local nonprofit and community organizations and provides a steady pipeline of student interns, research collaboration, and professional development resources to industries across the region. Fairfield University is also a cultural and civic resource. During the past year, the University welcomed approximately 100,000 campus visitors for academic programs, arts performances, athletic competitions, and campus events, including 208 free events open to the public. The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts presents nationally and internationally recognized performances and lectures, and the Fairfield University Art Museum's Walsh and Bellarmine Galleries present curated exhibitions that serve both educational and public audiences. Through Campus Ministry, the Center for Social Impact, and other University programs, students, faculty, and staff logged more than 45,000 hours of community service and civic engagement. Whether through community-engaged learning, volunteering with local and regional non-profits, mentoring youth, or supporting local businesses, Fairfield University continues to live its Jesuit mission of forming men and women for others. The University's academic quality and student outcomes are consistently recognized in national rankings. Fairfield is ranked No. 45 for Best Undergraduate Teaching and among the top private National Universities by U.S. News & World Report (2025), in the Top 20% nationally for Best Salaries and No. 63 for Student Experience by The Wall Street Journal, and once again in the top 1% nationally for long-term return on investment by Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce. Institutional demand continues to grow. Applications for the Class of 2029 totaled 21,299-representing a 15% increase over the prior year and a 38% increase over two years-with applicants from 49 states and 92 countries.
- $54.5 million spent. AUXILIARY SERVICES: AUXILIARY SERVICES INCLUDE THE COSTS OF ROOM AND BOARD FOR APPROXIMATELY 3,925 FULL-TIME UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS LIVING ON CAMPUS IN RESIDENCE HALLS, TOWNHOUSES, AND APARTMENT COMPLEXES RESIDING ON A 200-ACRE CAMPUS. GRADUATE STUDENT HOUSING IS ALSO OFFERED IN INDEPENDENT OFF-CAMPUS HOUSES, AND IN APARTMENT STYLE RESIDENCE HALLS.
- $8.9 million spent. OTHER ACTIVITIES: A VARIETY OF STUDENT SERVICES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT AT THE QUICK CENTER, AND STUDENT ACTIVITIES FOR CLUB SPORTS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 1943.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.