Fairfield University has been named one of the nation’s top “Dream Schools” in Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for You, the latest book by New York Times bestselling author and higher education expert Jeffrey Selingo.
Recently released, Dream School spotlights 75 colleges and universities that deliver strong job prospects after graduation, hands-on learning experiences, and a sense of belonging.
Fairfield earned recognition on the list of “New Dream Schools” based on notable strengths including strong outcomes, accessible admissions, and engaging student experiences. Selingo collaborated with partners to integrate data sources and examine factors such as affordability, financial health, student belonging, geographic diversity, and career outcomes.
Fairfield University is proud to be included among institutions redefining what it means to deliver transformative, values-based, and outcomes-focused higher education.
Ranked in the top one percent of U.S. universities for return on investment (ROI) by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, Fairfield offers long-term value that extends well beyond graduation. That value has also been recognized by LinkedIn, which named Fairfield one of its Top Colleges for 2025, placing it among the top 30 institutions nationwide in its inaugural ranking. The list highlights universities that best prepare graduates for sustained career growth, based on factors such as job placement, alumni networks, internships, and leadership advancement.
The Class of 2029 was selected from a highly talented pool of applicants representing more than 3,410 high schools across 49 states and 92 countries. The University received a record 21,290 applications and has dramatically increased selectivity with this year’s admit rate dropping to 25%.
Dream School builds on the national conversation sparked by Selingo’s 2020 bestseller Who Gets In and Why, offering students, families, and counselors a broader and more personal way to define what makes a college the “right” fit.
About the Author
Jeffrey Selingo has written about colleges and universities for more than two and a half decades and is the New York Times bestselling author of three books. His 2020 book, Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions, was named one of the 100 Notable Books of the Year by The New York Times. Dream School is based on two years of research and an original survey of more than 3,000 parents. A regular contributor to The Atlantic, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal, Selingo also serves as a special advisor to the president and professor of practice at Arizona State University. He co-hosts the podcast Future U and writes a biweekly newsletter on higher education titled Next. He lives near Washington, D.C., with his family.
For more information, visit the Dream School website.
