FIDM LA vs. San Jose State

Comparable Facts

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

San Jose State University is larger than FIDM LA based on total student enrollment (37,661 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); San Jose State University is in San Jose, CA (Large City setting).
• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. San Jose State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising 135:1; San Jose State University 25:1.

FIDM LA vs. San Jose State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FIDM LA or San Jose State? 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 San Jose State University than FIDM LA ($13,892 vs. $39,494).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at San Jose State University are 5% lower than at FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising ($20,971 vs. $22,086).
• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is 316.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Jose State (about $26,590 more per year; $35,000.00 vs. $8,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.6% higher at FIDM LA than at San Jose State University (about $13,990 more per year; $35,000.00 vs. $21,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising than at San Jose State University (78% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising students is 12% larger than aid received by San Jose State University students ($13,834 vs. $12,353).

FIDM LA vs. San Jose State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FIDM LA or San Jose State? 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 San Jose State and FIDM LA.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSan Jose State University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSan Jose State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FIDM LA - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); San Jose State - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: San Jose State Dec 15, 2026.

FIDM LA vs. San Jose State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FIDM LA and San Jose State? 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 San Jose State University's (46%).
• Graduates from San Jose State University earn a median of about $18,300 more per year than FIDM LA graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,900 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than San Jose State graduates ($13,000 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers, FIDM LA graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Jose State graduates ($134 vs. $155).
• More San Jose State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FIDM LA students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 61%)

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.