Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus at a Glance
Fairleigh Dickinson University is a private university with its main campuses in New Jersey, located in Madison / Florham Park and in Teaneck / Hackensack. Founded in 1942, Fairleigh Dickinson University offers more than 100 degree programs. In addition to two campuses in New Jersey, the university has a campus in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, one in Wroxton, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, and an online platform. Fairleigh Dickinson University is New Jersey's largest private institution of …
1942
84 years old
$107M
$107.2 million (2025)
178 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus
Official admissions page$50
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Is Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus Worth It?
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus offers moderate value at $15,404/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $57,273, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 58% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 91% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in NJ
Ranked #9 of 156 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #2 | Saint Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #3 | Dominican University | 75 | $11,745 | $60,327 |
| #4 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #5 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #6 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #9 | Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus | 54 | $15,404 | $57,273 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in NJ.
Best Programs at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus
The highest-earning program at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $76,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $17,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus earns $76,800, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $17,700. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $25,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,404/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $76,800 | $76,800 | $25,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $53,100 | $53,100 | $25,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $50,300 | $50,300 | $25,000 |
| Marketing | $44,200 | $44,200 | $22,750 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $38,800 | $38,800 | $25,048 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $37,300 | $37,300 | $26,000 |
| Criminology | $34,900 | $34,900 | $26,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $32,200 | $32,200 | $25,750 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $31,300 | $31,300 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $29,700 | $29,700 | $25,000 |
| Psychology, General | $28,600 | $28,600 | $26,000 |
| Biology, General | $28,000 | $28,000 | $25,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $26,300 | $26,300 | $27,532 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $22,200 | $22,200 | $25,000 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | $21,200 | $21,200 | $25,237 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $17,700 | $17,700 | $27,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Teaneck, NJ
- Student Body
- 2,627 students
- Admission Rate
- 91%
- Graduation Rate
- 58%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,404
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $57,273
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000