What are we missing? We took D27 on a tour of Fairfield and Sacred Heart in CT a couple of weeks ago. She loved Sacred Heart, but was very meh on Fairfield. So many people had said she would love it. But Sacred Heart was beautiful and full of energy and Fairfield was a sea of brown brick and kind of blah. Did we miss something? We did official tours at both. It seems like people look more highly on Fairfield, but I can’t totally figure out why. Thoughts?
Likely that reputation exists because Fairfield is more competitive in terms of admissions (looks like 25% admssion rate) as compared to Sacred Heart (looks like 65% acceptance rate). That difference does not make Fairfield a better choice for every student.
Your student can look into post-graduation outcomes are for both schools.
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I don’t think you missed anything. People see school’s differently. Maybe aesthetics or energy is her thing. Why second guess when you loved one and strongly were disinterested in the other?
Here is some career data. They have a 2024 figure ($73K at Fairfield) but this is the 23 report.
Here’s a link to the SHU report. But in the end, no matter what they say, why spend four years, day after day, at a place that you found blah. If you decide against SHU, then find another school not named Fairfield.
25780_Class of 2023 First Destination Report
Student Outcomes – Center for Career and Professional Development | Sacred Heart University
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Fairfield’s location and the frequent outdoor cocktail sunset parties are an attractive aspect for many in addition to realistic job placement related majors (nursing & business).
The Fiske Guide To Colleges notes Fairfield University’s “explosive party scene” in bold print.
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It has always been thus, so to speak. No explaining taste 
and group think is real.
Fairfield has always had a more prestigious reputation (and by “always” I should say the last 35 years - can’t say before that - ). Both have become much more selective and slightly less regional (though still very regional) over time.
(see page 37 (pdf 42) - most kids, even at fairfield are from CT/NY/NJ/MA and it isn’t even close )
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This is a really common reaction honestly. Fairfield has a stronger academic reputation and better name recognition with employers, especially in finance and business in the Northeast. Their alumni network in NYC is surprisingly deep for a school that size. The Jesuit curriculum also means a more rigorous core, which some students love and others find limiting.
That said, Sacred Heart has invested a TON in their campus over the last decade, new buildings, updated dorms, and it really shows on tours. The energy your daughter picked up on is real. Fairfield’s campus is more understated and the architecture is definitely… functional.
A few things to consider:
- If she’s thinking business, nursing, or anything pre-professional, look at placement rates for both. Fairfield tends to edge out SHU there.
- Campus culture: Fairfield skews preppy New England, SHU is a bit more diverse in terms of where students come from.
- Size matters less than fit. If she genuinely felt more at home at Sacred Heart, that counts for a lot over four years.
Might be worth doing an overnight visit at Fairfield if they offer it. Tours don’t always capture the vibe, especially on an off day.
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Though my more northern NE kid felt it was very “ew” NY/NJ 
There are flavors of preppy!
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…They thought the girls all looked the same, and many had fake tans - which was a turn off.. Other things they liked…didn’t apply in the end (for better reasons than this, in the end, but this stuck with them). Amazing how little things can be super impactful. We even have close family friends who went there and loved it, too.
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In the end, why should the student consider Fairfield at all.
They flat out didn’t like it.
They liked SHU.
Whether they end up at SHU is up to them, of course. But I see zero reason to consider Fairfield.
If you go somewhere and even if it was an off day, and you didn’t like it, remove it. There’s a zillion colleges out there. They should go to one that they felt good about on a visit or any other time.
I don’t think trying to find a reason to like a school that you clearly didn’t….is a wise strategy - just because you think the rep is better.
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Thanks Everyone! This is my third kid to go through this process, so you would think I would have my nerves under control! I’ve just never had a kid who looked at a school with a similar counterpart so close by, so I’m just second guessing. The vibe check was definitely right on. And it’s close enough that we can visit again. Really appreciate all the input!
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