FDU vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

Compare Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus in Madison, NJ with Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wilkes University is larger than FDU based on total student enrollment (5,381 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); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
• Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 11:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

FDU vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FDU or Wilkes? 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 Wilkes ($25,585 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wilkes University are 0.6% lower than at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus ($16,166 vs. $16,270).
• Wilkes University is 14.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than FDU (about $5,492 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $38,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.5% higher at Wilkes than at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus (about $5,492 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $38,004.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus as at Wilkes University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 0.1% larger than aid received by Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus students ($28,324 vs. $28,294).

FDU vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus (1180) is 40 points higher than at Wilkes (1140).
• Incoming Wilkes students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at FDU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 1040/1310; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus 19/30; Wilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FDU - Test optional; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Wilkes students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at FDU (3.42).
• FDU has a higher acceptance rate (95.2%) than Wilkes (90.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.5% at FDU vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

FDU vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FDU and Wilkes? 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).

• Wilkes University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus's (55%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than FDU graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $52,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wilkes University and FDU graduates have the same median loan debt ($26,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Wilkes University and FDU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($268 vs. $268).
• More Wilkes 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.