Emerson vs. FDU

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, MA with Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus in Madison, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Emerson College is larger than FDU based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 2,885 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is in Madison, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 11:1.

Emerson vs. FDU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or FDU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus than Emerson ($25,585 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus are 22.2% lower than at Emerson College ($16,270 vs. $20,920).
• Emerson College is 50.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than FDU (about $19,052 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $38,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.1% higher at Emerson than at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus (about $19,052 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $38,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus than at Emerson College (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus students is 4.8% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($28,294 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. FDU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Emerson or FDU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between FDU and Emerson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Emerson College (1350) is 170 points higher than at FDU (1180).
• Incoming Emerson students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 24 at FDU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 1040/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 19/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; FDU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Emerson students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at FDU (3.42).
• FDU has a higher acceptance rate (95.2%) than Emerson (51.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 10.5% at FDU.

Emerson vs. FDU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and FDU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Emerson College's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus's (55%).
• Graduates from Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,900 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than FDU graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FDU graduates ($242 vs. $268).
• More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FDU students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 60%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.