FDU vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than FDU based on total student enrollment (28,464 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); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 11:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

FDU vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FDU or VCU? 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 VCU ($25,585 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus are 10.9% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($16,270 vs. $18,254).
• Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is 124.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCU (about $21,059 more per year; $38,004.00 vs. $16,945.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.5% higher at VCU than at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus (about $2,105 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $38,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus than at Virginia Commonwealth University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus students is 99.5% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($28,294 vs. $14,186).

FDU vs. VCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus (1180) is 40 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming VCU 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; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 19/30; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FDU - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at FDU (3.42).
• FDU has a higher acceptance rate (95.2%) than VCU (92.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.5% at FDU vs. 21.6% at VCU.

FDU vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FDU and VCU? 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).

• Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,900 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than FDU graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FDU graduates ($240 vs. $268).
• More FDU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 56%)

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.