Fairfield University has recently earned new global and national accolades recognizing the return on investment of its graduate and undergraduate programs, as well as the quality of its undergraduate student experience.
Stacker Puts Fairfield at #37 Among Nonprofit Colleges Nationwide for ROI
Fairfield University is ranked #37 among nonprofit colleges in the nation for return on investment (ROI), according to the data journalism company Stacker. The ranking is based on a 2025 study from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, which analyzed the long-term financial value of a college degree. Researchers evaluated institutions that primarily grant bachelor’s degrees, measuring the balance between college costs and future earnings.
Fairfield’s inclusion among the top 50 highlights the University’s continued commitment to providing strong career outcomes and long-term value for its graduates.
#6 Nationwide for Student Experience in 2026 WSJ/College Pulse Rankings
The latest Wall Street Journal/College Pulse Best Colleges in the U.S. rankings placed Fairfield University #6 nationwide for student experience, based on student surveys and government data that evaluates campus facilities, community and social life, and diversity.
The overall ranking evaluated 584 eligible universities. Fairfield placed #81 for student outcomes, learning environment, and post-graduate earnings, and #108 for best salaries—which measures the impact of a college education on graduates’ earnings relative to expectations.
Fairfield Dolan Recognized Globally for ROI in Graduate Business Education
The Charles F. Dolan School of Business earned global recognition for its online Master of Business Administration (MBA) program, ranking #69 in the world and #30 in the U.S. according to the newly released 2026 QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) Specialized Master’s Rankings for Best Value for Money, based on return on investment (ROI).
This marks the first time Fairfield Dolan’s Online MBA has appeared within the global rankings by QS, highlighting the program’s growing international reputation. Fairfield Dolan’s MBA, offered in a flexible online format, provides a variety of concentration options including artificial intelligence, marketing, management, and accounting.
Among standout ROI rankings, the following Dolan graduate programs were recognized for offering best value for money:
- M.S. in Business Analytics: #7
- M.S. in Marketing Analytics and Strategy: #7
- M.S. in Finance: #8
- M.S. in Management: #15
This recognition follows Fairfield Dolan’s MBA program's national ranking of #56 by U.S. News & World Report and a #2 spot in Connecticut, behind Yale. Fairfield Dolan was also named among the Best Online MBA Programs for 2025 by The Princeton Review, and ranks #23 nationally for Online MBA programs, according to Poets & Quants, a leading news source on business education.
