FDU vs. Rutgers

Comparable Facts

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

Rutgers University New Brunswick is larger than FDU based on total student enrollment (52,269 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); Rutgers University New Brunswick is in New Brunswick, NJ (Small City setting).
• Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 11:1; Rutgers University New Brunswick 16:1.

FDU vs. Rutgers Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FDU or Rutgers? 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 Rutgers University New Brunswick than FDU ($20,522 vs. $25,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rutgers University New Brunswick are 3.4% lower than at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus ($15,714 vs. $16,270).
• Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is 112% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rutgers (about $20,075 more per year; $38,004.00 vs. $17,929.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at FDU than at Rutgers University New Brunswick (about $563 more per year; $38,004.00 vs. $37,441.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus than at Rutgers University New Brunswick (100% vs. 50%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus students is 69% larger than aid received by Rutgers University New Brunswick students ($28,294 vs. $16,742).

FDU vs. Rutgers Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rutgers University New Brunswick (1410) is 230 points higher than at FDU (1180).
• Incoming Rutgers 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: Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 1040/1310; Rutgers University New Brunswick 1310/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 19/30; Rutgers University New Brunswick 28/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FDU - Test optional; Rutgers - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman FDU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Rutgers (3.3).
• FDU has a higher acceptance rate (95.2%) than Rutgers (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.5% at FDU vs. 20.5% at Rutgers.

FDU vs. Rutgers Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FDU and Rutgers? 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).

• Rutgers University New Brunswick's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus's (55%).
• Graduates from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of about $13,300 more per year than FDU graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,200 vs. $52,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates have a $3,785 lower median loan debt than FDU graduates ($22,215 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Rutgers graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FDU graduates ($229 vs. $268).
• More Rutgers graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FDU students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.