FDU vs. Mason

Comparable Facts

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

George Mason University is larger than FDU based on total student enrollment (39,766 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); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 11:1; George Mason University 16:1.

FDU vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FDU or Mason? 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 George Mason University than FDU ($18,823 vs. $25,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 3.3% lower than at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus ($15,725 vs. $16,270).
• Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is 167.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mason (about $23,784 more per year; $38,004.00 vs. $14,220.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.8% higher at Mason than at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus (about $684 more per year; $38,688.00 vs. $38,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus than at George Mason University (100% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus students is 120.2% larger than aid received by George Mason University students ($28,294 vs. $12,852).

FDU vs. Mason Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Mason University (1260) is 80 points higher than at FDU (1180).
• Incoming Mason 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; George Mason University 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 19/30; George Mason University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FDU - Test optional; Mason - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mason Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at FDU (3.42).
• FDU has a higher acceptance rate (95.2%) than Mason (87.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.5% at FDU vs. 20.2% at Mason.

FDU vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FDU and Mason? 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).

• George Mason University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus's (55%).
• Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than FDU graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $52,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University graduates have a $6,250 lower median loan debt than FDU graduates ($19,750 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FDU graduates ($204 vs. $268).
• More Mason graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FDU students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.