FDU vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus in Madison, NJ with West Chester University of Pennsylvania in West Chester, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than FDU based on total student enrollment (17,171 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); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 11:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

FDU vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FDU or WCU? 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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania than FDU ($22,546 vs. $25,585).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 8.9% lower than at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus ($14,828 vs. $16,270).
• Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is 252.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $27,229 more per year; $38,004.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.2% higher at FDU than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $15,405 more per year; $38,004.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus students is 395.6% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($28,294 vs. $5,709).

FDU vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FDU or WCU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WCU and FDU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1190) is 10 points higher than at FDU (1180).
• Incoming WCU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (26 vs. 24 at FDU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 1040/1310; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 19/30; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FDU - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman WCU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at FDU (3.42).
• FDU has a higher acceptance rate (95.2%) than WCU (78.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.5% at FDU vs. 22.4% at WCU.

FDU vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FDU and WCU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• West Chester University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus's (55%).
• Graduates from Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,900 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Chester University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than FDU graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FDU graduates ($242 vs. $268).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FDU students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.