FDU vs. GWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus in Teaneck, NJ with Gardner Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is larger than GWU based on total student enrollment (8,045 students vs. 3,104 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is located in Teaneck, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Gardner Webb University is in Boiling Springs, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Gardner Webb University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus 14:1; Gardner Webb University 12:1.

FDU vs. GWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FDU or GWU? 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 GWU ($16,920 vs. $20,016).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gardner Webb University are 29.9% lower than at Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus ($11,410 vs. $16,270).
• Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is 9.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than GWU (about $3,244 more per year; $38,004.00 vs. $34,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.3% higher at FDU than at Gardner Webb University (about $3,244 more per year; $38,004.00 vs. $34,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gardner Webb University than at Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus students is 24.8% larger than aid received by Gardner Webb University students ($33,807 vs. $27,088).

FDU vs. GWU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Gardner Webb University (1090) is 50 points higher than at FDU (1040).
• Incoming GWU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at FDU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus 908/1180; Gardner Webb University 975/1198.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus 20/23; Gardner Webb University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FDU - Test optional; GWU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman GWU students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at FDU (3.31).
• FDU has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than GWU (77.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at FDU vs. 11.2% at GWU.

FDU vs. GWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FDU and GWU? 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).

• Gardner Webb University's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus's (41%).
• Graduates from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn a median of about $12,400 more per year than GWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,900 vs. $40,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gardner Webb University graduates have a $1,031 lower median loan debt than FDU graduates ($24,969 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, GWU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FDU graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More FDU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GWU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 52%)

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.