FDU vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

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

Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (2,885 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is located in Madison, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 11:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

FDU vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FDU or Sweet Briar College? 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 Sweet Briar College than FDU ($21,322 vs. $25,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sweet Briar College are 6.4% lower than at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus ($15,230 vs. $16,270).
• Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is 45.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sweet Briar College (about $11,844 more per year; $38,004.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.3% higher at FDU than at Sweet Briar College (about $11,844 more per year; $38,004.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus than at Sweet Briar College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus students is 26.4% larger than aid received by Sweet Briar College students ($28,294 vs. $22,387).

FDU vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FDU or Sweet Briar College? 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 Sweet Briar College and FDU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sweet Briar College (1210) is 30 points higher than at FDU (1180).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 1040/1310; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 19/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FDU - Test optional; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Sweet Briar College students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at FDU (3.42).
• FDU has a higher acceptance rate (95.2%) than Sweet Briar College (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.5% at FDU vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

FDU vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FDU and Sweet Briar College? 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).

• Sweet Briar College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus's (55%).
• Graduates from Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus earn a median of about $11,200 more per year than Sweet Briar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,900 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Sweet Briar College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, FDU graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sweet Briar College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Sweet Briar College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FDU students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.