FDU vs. TCNJ

Comparable Facts

Compare Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus in Madison, NJ with The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The College of New Jersey is larger than FDU based on total student enrollment (8,141 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); The College of New Jersey is in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The College of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 11:1; The College of New Jersey 14:1.

FDU vs. TCNJ Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FDU or TCNJ? 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 The College of New Jersey than FDU ($25,580 vs. $25,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of New Jersey are 8% lower than at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus ($14,976 vs. $16,270).
• Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is 93.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than TCNJ (about $18,372 more per year; $38,004.00 vs. $19,632.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.6% higher at FDU than at The College of New Jersey (about $12,252 more per year; $38,004.00 vs. $25,752.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus than at The College of New Jersey (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus students is 111.8% larger than aid received by The College of New Jersey students ($28,294 vs. $13,360).

FDU vs. TCNJ Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The College of New Jersey (1240) is 60 points higher than at FDU (1180).
• Incoming TCNJ 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; The College of New Jersey 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 19/30; The College of New Jersey 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FDU - Test optional; TCNJ - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TCNJ Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman FDU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at TCNJ (3.29).
• FDU has a higher acceptance rate (95.2%) than TCNJ (62.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.5% at FDU vs. 19.7% at TCNJ.

FDU vs. TCNJ Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FDU and TCNJ? 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).

• The College of New Jersey's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus's (55%).
• Graduates from The College of New Jersey earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than FDU graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $52,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The College of New Jersey graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than FDU graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, TCNJ graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FDU graduates ($240 vs. $268).
• More TCNJ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FDU students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.