Columbia College vs. FDU

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

Roosevelt University Drew University DePaul Monmouth University FDU Montclair State University Kean Pace University-New York Widener University-Main Campus Rutgers Rider University Seton Hall University
Columbia College Chicago vs. Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham comparison
Columbia College Chicago Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham College 3 College 4
Columbia College Chicago Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Columbia College FDU
Location Chicago, IL Madison, NJ
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 6,646 2,823
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #342
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colum.edu fdu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Columbia College FDU
Tuition (In State) $29,270 $33,264
Tuition (Out of State) $29,270 $33,264
Room & Board $18,000 $15,588
Avg Net Price $28,387 $21,408
Avg Grant Aid $18,020 $28,436
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

 Columbia College FDU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,701 4,421
Admitted 7,298 3,940
Acceptance Rate 94.8%Open 89.1%
Enrolled % 22%Open 11.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/30
SAT Range 1040/1310
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2024

Academics

 Columbia College FDU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communications Technology (6%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Business (34%)
  • Psychology (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

 Columbia College FDU
Graduation Rate 41% 55%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $52,900
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $268

Diversity

 Columbia College FDU
% Men 40% 41%
% Women 60% 59%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 55% 58%
% Black 15% 11%
% Hispanic 11% 16%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 2%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 7% 7%

Students

 Columbia College FDU
% In-State 57% 81%
% Out-of-State 40% 18%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia College Chicago is larger than than FDU based on total student enrollment (6,646 students vs. 2,823 students)

Columbia College vs. FDU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or FDU?

  • Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham is 13.6% more expensive to attend than Columbia College for in-state tuition ($33,264.00 vs. $29,270.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 13.6% higher at FDU than Columbia College Chicago ($33,264.00 vs. $29,270.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham than Columbia College ($21,408 vs. $28,387)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham are 15.5% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($15,588 vs. $18,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham than Columbia College Chicago (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham students is 57.8% larger than aid received Columbia College Chicago ($28,436 vs. $18,020)

Columbia College vs. FDU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman FDU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Columbia College (3.41)
  • Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than FDU (89.1%)

Columbia College vs. FDU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia College or FDU? 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 FDU and Columbia College.

  • The graduation rate at FDU is higher than Columbia College Chicago (55% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham earn on average $15,600 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($52,900 vs. $37,300)
  • Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham and Columbia College graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($26,000 vs. $26,000)
  • Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham and Columbia College graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($268 vs. $268)
  • More FDU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 46%)

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