FDU vs. DeSales University

Should I go to Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham or DeSales University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if FDU or DeSales University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham vs. DeSales University comparison
Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham DeSales University College 3 College 4
Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham DeSales University
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Overview

FDU DeSales University
Location Madison, NJ Center Valley, PA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 2,823 2,991
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #342 #262
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fdu.edu desales.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

FDU DeSales University
Tuition (In State) $33,264 $41,100
Tuition (Out of State) $33,264 $41,100
Room & Board $15,588 $13,500
Avg Net Price $21,408 $29,104
Avg Grant Aid $28,436 $27,824
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

FDU DeSales University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,421 3,662
Admitted 3,940 2,826
Acceptance Rate 89.1% 77.2%
Enrolled % 11.9% 18%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.39
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/30 23/29
SAT Range 1040/1310 1100/1280
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

FDU DeSales University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • Psychology (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Business (29%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

FDU DeSales University
Graduation Rate 55% 69%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $52,900 $51,100
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $268

Diversity

FDU DeSales University
% Men 41% 34%
% Women 59% 66%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 58% 75%
% Black 11% 4%
% Hispanic 16% 12%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 7% 6%

Students

FDU DeSales University
% In-State 81% 66%
% Out-of-State 18% 34%

Campus

FDU DeSales University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • DeSales University is larger than than FDU based on total student enrollment (2,991 students vs. 2,823 students)

FDU vs. DeSales University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FDU or DeSales University?

  • DeSales University is 23.6% more expensive to attend than FDU for in-state tuition ($41,100.00 vs. $33,264.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 23.6% higher at DeSales University than Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham ($41,100.00 vs. $33,264.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham than DeSales University ($21,408 vs. $29,104)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at DeSales University are 15.5% lower than costs at Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham ($13,500 vs. $15,588)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham as DeSales University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham students is 2.2% larger than aid received DeSales University ($28,436 vs. $27,824)

FDU vs. DeSales University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FDU or DeSales University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between DeSales University or FDU .

  • The average SAT score at DeSales University (1054) is 20 points higher than at FDU (1034)
  • Incoming DeSales University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at FDU (23)
  • Accepted freshman FDU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at DeSales University (3.39)
  • FDU has a higher acceptance rate (89.1%) than DeSales University (77.2%)

FDU vs. DeSales University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, FDU or DeSales University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between DeSales University and FDU.

  • The graduation rate at DeSales University is higher than Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham (69% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham earn on average $1,800 more per year than DeSales University graduates after ten years. ($52,900 vs. $51,100)
  • DeSales University and FDU graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($26,000 vs. $26,000)
  • DeSales University and FDU graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($268 vs. $268)
  • More DeSales University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FDU students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 60%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/