Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Teaneck, New Jersey
95.9% Acceptance Rate
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
95.9%Acceptance Rate
3.31Avg GPA
1044Avg SAT
$47,791Annual Cost
$57,273Grad Salary
21.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
95.9%
Avg GPA
3.31
Avg SAT
1044
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1004–1074
Need-Based Aid
21.5% receive Pell
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus is a private, comprehensive university in New Jersey that emphasizes professional preparation, academic excellence, and a global perspective. Admissions are holistic, evaluating students on their academic record, character, and their readiness to thrive in a diverse, supportive academic environment. The university seeks individuals who are looking for a high-quality education that integrates professional skills with a solid, global-focused foundation.
Successful applicants often demonstrate significant involvement in extracurriculars that show leadership or potential for community contribution. Demonstrating a clear approach to one's future career plans and explaining how the university's unique, global-minded academic model will facilitate those goals is a strong way to impress the admissions committee. The university looks for students who will contribute to its diverse, supportive, and forward-thinking campus environment and who demonstrate a commitment to both intellectual and professional growth.
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus Acceptance Rate
Admission at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus is inclusive by design. 95.9% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 95.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.31 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.11 – 3.30
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.86
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 15 for Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus (Early Decision I — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 95 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 15
Decision by: December 15
Early Decision II
January 15
Decision by: February 15
Regular Decision
February 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (Priority scholarship: 2027/02/15) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
FDU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at FDU is 3.31. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.01–3.31 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.51–3.71.FDU GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context, such as leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.31 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.11 – 3.30
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.91 – 3.10
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.90
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- FDU Metropolitan's traditional BSN requires a dual bar to enter directly as a sophomore: 3.0+ GPA AND full completion of first-year Sciences, Math, Writing, and Core courses - missing either results in Health Studies placement with a later change-of-major process.
- The Accelerated BSN (for existing bachelor's degree holders) requires a materially higher 3.5 GPA and B-or-higher grades in science prerequisites, completed in an intensive 15-month format.
- FDU Metropolitan is genuinely test-optional in practice - only about 12% of admits submit SAT scores and 2% submit ACT scores, with GPA doing most of the evaluative work.
- FDU is New Jersey's largest private university, with campuses in Teaneck/Hackensack (Metropolitan) and Madison (Florham), plus international campuses in Wroxton, England and Vancouver, Canada - applicants should confirm they're applying to the correct NJ campus given the shared university name.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at FDU
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus (FDU) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at FDU. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into FDU Without SAT or ACT?
FDU considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus Average SAT Score: 1044
Admitted students at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus average a 1044 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1044 — Accessible
A 1044 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1074 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1004? A retake is worth it at FDU. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1044 | 1004 | 1074 |
A score under 1004 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1074+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1050
Can I get into Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus (FDU) with a 1050 SAT?
At 1050, your SAT is squarely in FDU's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for FDU
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into FDU is the easy part. What matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
Hit the 3.0 GPA and full first-year course-completion bar to enter Nursing directly as a sophomore - miss either one and you're routed through a different degree first
FDU requires a 3.0+ high school GPA (or 3.0+ cumulative transfer GPA) AND completion of all first-year Sciences, Math, Writing, and University Core courses to begin the BSN directly in fall of sophomore year; students who don't meet both conditions are instead accepted into the BS in Health Studies (General Track) and must formally change majors later after satisfying prerequisites. If nursing is your firm goal, treat your entire first year as building toward this specific dual bar rather than assuming general good grades alone secure the direct sophomore-year nursing entry.
If you're routed into BS Health Studies first, actively file the change-of-major form once you clear prerequisites - this transition is not automatic
FDU explicitly describes a process where students in Health Studies "can apply/process the change of major form after meeting the following requirements," meaning simply finishing the coursework doesn't automatically move you into nursing - you must actively submit the change-of-major paperwork. Track your own prerequisite completion against the nursing entry checklist and file the change-of-major form the moment you qualify, rather than waiting for an advisor to flag it for you.
If you're a career-changer considering the Accelerated BSN, budget for a genuinely higher academic bar than the traditional track - 3.5 GPA and B-or-higher science prerequisites
FDU's Accelerated BSN (for those who already hold a bachelor's degree) requires a competitive 3.5 GPA and B-or-higher grades in specific science prerequisites, plus a comprehensive background check - a materially higher bar than the 3.0 GPA needed for the traditional first-year pathway. If your undergraduate GPA is below 3.5, strengthen your prerequisite science grades specifically before applying to this 15-month intensive track, since science performance is weighted with zero room for a C.
Use FDU's test-optional status to your advantage, but know your GPA carries essentially all the weight in the general admission review
FDU Metropolitan is test-optional with only about 12% of admitted students submitting SAT scores and 2% submitting ACT scores, and admissions data shows GPA is treated as a "very important" factor while class rank isn't considered at all. If your standardized test scores are weak but your GPA and course rigor are solid, skip submitting scores entirely and let your transcript carry the application, since this reflects the actual behavior of the vast majority of admitted students.
Expert Insight:
Because FDU Metropolitan's general acceptance rate sits in the 80-96% range depending on the source, and the university markets itself around personal attention and accessibility, applicants sometimes assume the nursing program shares that same flexibility. The Accelerated BSN specifically requires a 3.5 GPA - a full half-point higher than the traditional-track threshold - and the standard BSN pathway has a hard dual gate (3.0 GPA AND full first-year course completion) that, if missed, results in a different starting major rather than an outright rejection; understanding this branching structure in advance prevents confusion about which "FDU nursing path" a given GPA or course-completion status actually leads to.
FDU Profile
Full Name
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus (FDU)
City
Teaneck
State
New Jersey
ZIP Code
7666
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a FDU Degree Worth It?
At $47,791/year against a $57,273 median graduate salary, FDU is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $80,700, and graduates see a 3.6% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from FDU Cost?
Listed tuition runs $47,791/year at FDU. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At FDU, 21.5% receive a Pell Grant and 22.1% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming FDU on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a FDU Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, FDU graduates report a median income of $57,273, about 41% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 1018 | 19 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1014 | 20 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 1005 | 22 |
| Trinity Baptist College | Jacksonville, FL | 1007 | 20 |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Tifton, GA | 994 | 19 |
| College of Coastal Georgia | Brunswick, GA | 1001 | 18 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
Degree Programs at FDU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About FDU Admissions
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus graduates earn a moderate median salary of $57,273/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus is moderate, around $47,791/year; many students supplement with aid.
21.5% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus's acceptance rate is 95.9%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus students is 3.31, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.01 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.91 or below makes admission tougher at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1044, and within the 1004–1074 range, keeps you competitive.
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus's deadline is November 15 (Early Decision I), with decisions out by December 15.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before Priority scholarship: 2027/02/15. That's Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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