FDU vs. CNU

Comparable Facts

Compare Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus in Madison, NJ with Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Christopher Newport University is larger than FDU based on total student enrollment (4,454 students vs. 2,885 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is located in Madison, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Christopher Newport University is in Newport News, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Christopher Newport University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 11:1; Christopher Newport University 13:1.

FDU vs. CNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FDU or CNU? 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 Christopher Newport University than FDU ($23,148 vs. $25,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Christopher Newport University are 23.4% lower than at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus ($12,460 vs. $16,270).
• Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is 125.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than CNU (about $21,176 more per year; $38,004.00 vs. $16,828.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.9% higher at FDU than at Christopher Newport University (about $6,826 more per year; $38,004.00 vs. $31,178.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus than at Christopher Newport University (100% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus students is 169.6% larger than aid received by Christopher Newport University students ($28,294 vs. $10,494).

FDU vs. CNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FDU or CNU? 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 CNU and FDU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus (1180) is the same as at CNU (1180).
• Incoming CNU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at FDU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 1040/1310; Christopher Newport University 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 19/30; Christopher Newport University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FDU - Test optional; CNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CNU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CNU students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at FDU (3.42).
• FDU has a higher acceptance rate (95.2%) than CNU (86%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.5% at FDU vs. 18% at CNU.

FDU vs. CNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FDU and CNU? 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).

• Christopher Newport University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus's (55%).
• Graduates from Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than CNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,900 vs. $47,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Christopher Newport University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than FDU graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, CNU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FDU graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More CNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FDU students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.