FIDM LA vs. Menlo

Comparable Facts

Compare FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles, CA with Menlo College in Atherton, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Menlo College is larger than FIDM LA based on total student enrollment (810 students vs. 564 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Menlo College is in Atherton, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. Menlo College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising 135:1; Menlo College 14:1.

FIDM LA vs. Menlo Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FIDM LA or Menlo? 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 Menlo College than FIDM LA ($32,563 vs. $39,494).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Menlo College are 17.4% lower than at FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising ($18,236 vs. $22,086).
• Menlo College is 53.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than FIDM LA (about $18,630 more per year; $53,630.00 vs. $35,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.2% higher at Menlo than at FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (about $18,630 more per year; $53,630.00 vs. $35,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Menlo College than at FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Menlo College students is 183.2% larger than aid received by FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising students ($39,174 vs. $13,834).

FIDM LA vs. Menlo Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FIDM LA or Menlo? 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 Menlo and FIDM LA.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FIDM LA - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); Menlo - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: Menlo Apr 1, 2027.

FIDM LA vs. Menlo Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FIDM LA and Menlo? 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).

• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising's six-year graduation rate (100%) is higher than Menlo College's (34%).
• Graduates from Menlo College earn a median of about $12,300 more per year than FIDM LA graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,900 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising graduates have a $8,062 lower median loan debt than Menlo graduates ($13,000 vs. $21,062).
• Among borrowers, FIDM LA graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Menlo graduates ($134 vs. $217).
• More FIDM LA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Menlo students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 55%)

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.