Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Madison, New Jersey
95.3% Acceptance Rate
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
95.3%Acceptance Rate
3.42Avg GPA
1175Avg SAT
$52,840Annual Cost
$57,273Grad Salary
34.9%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
95.3%
Avg GPA
3.42
Avg SAT
1175
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1135–1205
Need-Based Aid
34.9% receive Pell
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham 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-Florham Campus Acceptance Rate
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus (FDU) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 95.3% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
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 — 95.3% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.42 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.22 – 3.41
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.97
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus is November 15 for Early Decision I applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 99 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 3.42. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.12–3.42 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.62–3.82.FDU GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.42 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.22 – 3.41
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.02 – 3.21
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.01
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Merit scholarships up to $22,000/year are awarded automatically based on high school GPA at the time of application - no separate scholarship application, and most awards are test-optional.
- All FDU undergraduates, including Florham students, must complete a required Cultural and Global Understanding general-education component, not just an optional study-abroad experience.
- Florham competes in NCAA Division III (no athletic scholarships); Division I athletic scholarships exist only at FDU's Metropolitan Campus.
- Florham runs its own Honors Program (separate from Metropolitan's) requiring roughly a 3.5+ GPA, rigorous coursework, and competitive essays.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
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
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus's verified institutional data
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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-Florham Campus (FDU) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if FDU is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
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-Florham Campus Average SAT Score: 1175
The average SAT score of admitted students at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus is 1175 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1175 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1205 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1135, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at FDU. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1175 | 1135 | 1205 |
Below 1135, you're behind most admitted students; at 1205 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1200
Can I get into Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus (FDU) with a 1200 SAT?
A 1200 SAT puts you ahead of most of FDU's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for FDU
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
FDU's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
Your Application Is Automatically Your Scholarship Application - Make the GPA Count
FDU-Florham awards merit scholarships up to $22,000/year based on high school GPA with no separate scholarship application, and most awards are test-optional. Because there's no additional essay or form to strengthen a borderline package, your transcript GPA at the time of application is doing all the work - request an updated transcript with your most recent grades before submitting if a recent upward trend could bump you into a higher award tier.
Plan Around the Cultural and Global Understanding Requirement Early
Every FDU undergraduate, including at Florham, must complete a Cultural and Global Understanding requirement (UNIV 2001/2002 or an approved Global Issues course) as part of the university-wide general education curriculum - this isn't an optional study-abroad suggestion but a required graduation component. Map this requirement into your schedule by sophomore year rather than leaving it for senior year, since course availability and approved alternatives can be limited in certain semesters.
Know That Florham Is NCAA Division III - Athletic Scholarships Aren't on the Table Here
Unlike FDU's Metropolitan Campus, which competes in NCAA Division I and offers athletic scholarships, Florham competes in Division III, where athletic scholarships are not permitted under NCAA rules. If athletic aid is central to your financing plan, that specific benefit is only available by choosing Metropolitan - don't assume it transfers across FDU's two New Jersey campuses.
Apply to the Honors Program With Essays Ready, Not as an Afterthought
Florham's Honors Program looks for a GPA in the A-range (3.5+), a rigorous AP/IB/honors course load, and strong required essays - it's a separate, more competitive layer on top of general admission rather than an automatic perk of being a strong applicant. Draft your Honors essays with the same care as a reach-school application, since class size, faculty mentorship, and graduate-school positioning are the entire value proposition of the program.
Expert Insight:
Because FDU-Florham and FDU-Metropolitan share a university name, brochures, and many policies, students and families sometimes assume a benefit available at one campus - like Division I athletic scholarships - applies at both. Confirm campus-specific details (athletics division, program availability, Honors program specifics) directly rather than assuming parity between Florham and Metropolitan.
FDU Profile
Full Name
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus (FDU)
City
Madison
State
New Jersey
ZIP Code
7940
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a FDU Degree Worth It?
Whether FDU is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $80,700, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.6%.
How much does a degree from FDU Cost?
The sticker price is $52,840/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
34.9% of students receive a Pell Grant and 57.3% take federal loans at FDU. File your FAFSA early and list FDU as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a FDU Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $57,273. That's 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-Florham Campus. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 1137 | 24 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | 1149 | 23 |
| Toccoa Falls College | Toccoa Falls, GA | 1155 | 23 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 1182 | 25 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
| Spelman College | Atlanta, GA | 1184 | 24 |
| Hawaii Pacific University | Honolulu, HI | 1180 | 25 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
Degree Programs at FDU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About FDU Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus run about $57,273 a year.
At about $52,840 a year, Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
About 34.9% receive a Pell Grant at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 95.3%, Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus average a 3.42 GPA.
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.12 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.02, Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus — aim above 1175, ideally within the 1135–1205 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus is November 15 for Early Decision I applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 15.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Priority scholarship: 2027/02/15. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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