FDU vs. SU

Comparable Facts

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

Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is larger than SU based on total student enrollment (2,885 students vs. 1,440 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is located in Madison, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Southwestern University is in Georgetown, TX (Distant Town setting).
• Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 11:1; Southwestern University 11:1.

FDU vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FDU or SU? 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 Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus than SU ($25,585 vs. $32,228).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern University are 7.4% lower than at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus ($15,072 vs. $16,270).
• Southwestern University is 41.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than FDU (about $15,809 more per year; $53,813.00 vs. $38,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.6% higher at SU than at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus (about $15,809 more per year; $53,813.00 vs. $38,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus than at Southwestern University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern University students is 24.3% larger than aid received by Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus students ($35,162 vs. $28,294).

FDU vs. SU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southwestern University (1220) is 40 points higher than at FDU (1180).
• Incoming SU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at FDU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 1040/1310; Southwestern University 1130/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 19/30; Southwestern University 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FDU - Test optional; SU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at FDU (3.42).
• FDU has a higher acceptance rate (95.2%) than SU (43.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.5% at FDU vs. 13.8% at SU.

FDU vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FDU and SU? 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).

• Southwestern University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus's (55%).
• Graduates from Southwestern University earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than FDU graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,400 vs. $52,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus graduates have a $893 lower median loan debt than SU graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,893).
• Among borrowers, FDU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SU graduates ($268 vs. $278).
• More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FDU students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.