FDU vs. SU

Should I go to Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus or Shenandoah University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if FDU or SU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus vs. Shenandoah University comparison
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus Shenandoah University College 3 College 4
Shenandoah University
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Overview

 FDU SU
Location Teaneck, NJ Winchester, VA
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 7,285 4,260
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #797 #537
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fdu.edu su.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 FDU SU
Tuition (In State) $33,264 $33,790
Tuition (Out of State) $33,264 $33,790
Room & Board $15,588 $11,230
Avg Net Price $16,030 $26,143
Avg Grant Aid $30,059 $23,467
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 100%

Admission

 FDU SU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,294 2,296
Admitted 3,611 1,845
Acceptance Rate 84.1% 80.4%
Enrolled % 14.7% 25.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.31 3.7
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Very Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/23 19/26
SAT Range 908/1180 1010/1230
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 FDU SU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (53%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Health Professions (36%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (17%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

 FDU SU
Graduation Rate 41% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $52,900 $48,300
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $258

Diversity

 FDU SU
% Men 41% 32%
% Women 59% 68%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 25% 59%
% Black 12% 11%
% Hispanic 36% 6%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 8% 4%
% Unknown Race 12% 13%

Students

 FDU SU
% In-State 68% 52%
% Out-of-State 15% 48%

Campus

 FDU SU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is larger than than SU based on total student enrollment (7,285 students vs. 4,260 students)

FDU vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FDU or SU?

  • Shenandoah University is 1.6% more expensive to attend than FDU for in-state tuition ($33,790.00 vs. $33,264.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.6% higher at SU than Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus ($33,790.00 vs. $33,264.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus than SU ($16,030 vs. $26,143)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 38.8% lower than costs at Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus ($11,230 vs. $15,588)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Shenandoah University than Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus students is 28.1% larger than aid received Shenandoah University ($30,059 vs. $23,467)

FDU vs. SU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FDU or SU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SU or FDU .

  • The average SAT score at Shenandoah University (1005) is 10 points higher than at FDU (995)
  • Incoming SU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at FDU (21)
  • Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at FDU (3.31)
  • FDU has a higher acceptance rate (84.1%) than SU (80.4%)

FDU vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, FDU or SU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SU and FDU.

  • The graduation rate at SU is higher than Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus (45% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn on average $4,600 more per year than SU graduates after ten years. ($52,900 vs. $48,300)
  • Shenandoah University students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than FDU graduates. ($25,000 vs. $26,000)
  • SU graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than FDU graduates. ($258 vs. $268)
  • More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FDU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 60%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/