FDU vs. Clarkson

Should I go to Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham or Clarkson University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if FDU or Clarkson 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

RIT St Lawrence University RPI Syracuse UB Drew University Monmouth University Binghamton University Union College UVM FDU Montclair State University
Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham vs. Clarkson University comparison
Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham Clarkson University College 3 College 4
Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham Clarkson University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

FDU Clarkson
Location Madison, NJ Potsdam, NY
Setting Large Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 2,823 3,719
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #342 #220
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fdu.edu clarkson.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

FDU Clarkson
Tuition (In State) $33,264 $54,960
Tuition (Out of State) $33,264 $54,960
Room & Board $15,588 $16,744
Avg Net Price $21,408 $32,450
Avg Grant Aid $28,436 $41,285
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

FDU Clarkson
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,421 6,594
Admitted 3,940 5,171
Acceptance Rate 89.1% 78.4%
Enrolled % 11.9% 11.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.8
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/30 25/30
SAT Range 1040/1310 1190/1370
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2024

Academics

FDU Clarkson
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • Psychology (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Engineering (48%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Engineering Technology (9%)
  • Communication (3%)

Outcomes

FDU Clarkson
Graduation Rate 55% 72%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $52,900 $70,800
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 86%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $279

Diversity

FDU Clarkson
% Men 41% 64%
% Women 59% 36%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 58% 84%
% Black 11% 2%
% Hispanic 16% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 0% 3%
% Unknown Race 7% 2%

Students

FDU Clarkson
% In-State 81% 65%
% Out-of-State 18% 31%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Clarkson University is larger than than FDU based on total student enrollment (3,719 students vs. 2,823 students)

FDU vs. Clarkson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FDU or Clarkson?

  • Clarkson University is 65.2% more expensive to attend than FDU for in-state tuition ($54,960.00 vs. $33,264.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 65.2% higher at Clarkson than Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham ($54,960.00 vs. $33,264.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham than Clarkson ($21,408 vs. $32,450)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham are 7.4% lower than costs at Clarkson University ($15,588 vs. $16,744)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham as Clarkson University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 45.2% larger than aid received Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham ($41,285 vs. $28,436)

FDU vs. Clarkson Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Clarkson University (1198) is 164 points higher than at FDU (1034)
  • Incoming Clarkson students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at FDU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Clarkson students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at FDU (3.42)
  • FDU has a higher acceptance rate (89.1%) than Clarkson (78.4%)

FDU vs. Clarkson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, FDU or Clarkson? 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 Clarkson and FDU.

  • The graduation rate at Clarkson is higher than Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham (72% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from Clarkson University earn on average $17,900 more per year than FDU graduates after ten years. ($70,800 vs. $52,900)
  • Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Clarkson graduates. ($26,000 vs. $27,000)
  • FDU graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Clarkson graduates. ($268 vs. $279)
  • More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FDU students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 60%)

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