FDU vs. CSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus in Teaneck, NJ with Charleston Southern University in Charleston, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (8,045 students vs. 3,832 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is located in Teaneck, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Charleston Southern University is in Charleston, SC (Small City setting).
• Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Charleston Southern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus 14:1; Charleston Southern University 12:1.

FDU vs. CSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FDU or CSU? 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 Metropolitan Campus than CSU ($16,920 vs. $21,080).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Charleston Southern University are 25% lower than at Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus ($12,200 vs. $16,270).
• Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is 16.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $5,484 more per year; $38,004.00 vs. $32,520.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.9% higher at FDU than at Charleston Southern University (about $5,484 more per year; $38,004.00 vs. $32,520.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus than at Charleston Southern University (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus students is 45.5% larger than aid received by Charleston Southern University students ($33,807 vs. $23,240).

FDU vs. CSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Charleston Southern University (1050) is 10 points higher than at FDU (1040).
• Incoming FDU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at CSU (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus 908/1180; Charleston Southern University 930/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus 20/23; Charleston Southern University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FDU - Test optional; CSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman FDU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at CSU (3.24).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than FDU (90.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at FDU vs. 17.7% at CSU.

FDU vs. CSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FDU and CSU? 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 Metropolitan Campus's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Charleston Southern University's (38%).
• Graduates from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn a median of about $13,100 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,900 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, FDU graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More FDU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 50%)

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.