FDU vs. JMU

Comparable Facts

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

James Madison University is larger than FDU based on total student enrollment (22,740 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); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 11:1; James Madison University 17:1.

FDU vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FDU or JMU? 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 James Madison University than FDU ($18,856 vs. $25,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 19.8% lower than at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus ($13,056 vs. $16,270).
• Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is 166.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than JMU (about $23,754 more per year; $38,004.00 vs. $14,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.3% higher at FDU than at James Madison University (about $6,400 more per year; $38,004.00 vs. $31,604.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus than at James Madison University (100% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus students is 133.6% larger than aid received by James Madison University students ($28,294 vs. $12,114).

FDU vs. JMU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at James Madison University (1260) is 80 points higher than at FDU (1180).
• Incoming JMU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at FDU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 1040/1310; James Madison University 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 19/30; James Madison University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FDU - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: JMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at FDU (3.42).
• FDU has a higher acceptance rate (95.2%) than JMU (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.5% at FDU vs. 18.2% at JMU.

FDU vs. JMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FDU and JMU? 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).

• James Madison University's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus's (55%).
• Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than FDU graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $52,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $5,101 lower median loan debt than FDU graduates ($20,899 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FDU graduates ($216 vs. $268).
• More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FDU students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.