Students at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus achieve meaningful earnings beyond expectations, with graduates earning significantly more than peers at similar institutions.
The university combines this earnings advantage with strong outcomes for students from diverse economic backgrounds, including first-generation college students.
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus is a small private nonprofit institution in Madison, New Jersey, that delivers above-average earnings outcomes for its graduates. With median 10-year earnings of $57,273 and graduates earning about $8,613 more than similar students at other institutions, FDU-Florham demonstrates solid return on investment despite its private college price point. The university serves a meaningful population of first-generation students, with about 43% being the first in their families to attend college, while maintaining strong graduation rates.
What distinguishes FDU-Florham is its ability to help students achieve earnings beyond expectations, particularly in business and accounting fields where the university shows concentrated strength. The small campus environment allows for personalized attention that translates into career preparation and networking opportunities that benefit graduates in the competitive New York metropolitan job market. As a "Selective Achievers" institution, FDU-Florham combines moderate selectivity with strong outcomes for the students it enrolls, making it an attractive option for families seeking a private college experience with measurable financial returns.
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus demonstrates clear program strengths in business and professional fields that translate directly into career success. Business Administration stands out as both the highest aggregate return program and a key driver of the university's strong earnings outcomes, with 51 graduates earning around $42,682 early in their careers. This program combines substantial enrollment with solid financial returns, making it a cornerstone of the university's value proposition.
Accounting represents the university's highest-earning program, with graduates earning approximately $56,641 just two years after graduation, significantly above the institutional median. Though smaller in scale with about 22 graduates, this program demonstrates FDU-Florham's ability to prepare students for high-demand professional roles in the New York metropolitan area's robust financial services sector.
Psychology remains the largest program by enrollment with 53 graduates, though earnings are more modest at around $29,467, reflecting typical patterns for students who often pursue graduate education or enter helping professions. The program mix reveals FDU-Florham's focus on practical, career-oriented education that connects directly to regional employment opportunities, with business and accounting programs particularly well-positioned to capitalize on the university's proximity to major financial and corporate centers.
Graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus achieve solid long-term financial outcomes, with median earnings of $57,273 ten years after enrollment. More importantly, FDU-Florham graduates earn about $8,613 more than similar students at comparable institutions, demonstrating the university's ability to add meaningful value beyond what students might achieve elsewhere. This earnings advantage places the institution above average nationally for return on investment, reflecting effective career preparation and strong employer connections in the New York metropolitan region.
The university's program mix drives much of this success, with Business Administration serving as both the highest aggregate return major and a key economic engine for the school. Business Administration graduates, numbering 51 in recent cohorts, earn around $42,682 early in their careers while representing the program with the strongest overall financial impact. Accounting Technology graduates achieve even higher individual earnings at approximately $56,641, though with smaller cohort sizes of about 22 students. Psychology remains the largest program by enrollment with 53 graduates, though earnings in this field are more modest at around $29,467, reflecting the typical trajectory for students who often pursue graduate education or enter helping professions.
The university's location in New Jersey provides graduates access to diverse career opportunities across finance, business services, and professional sectors throughout the greater New York area, where the earnings advantage becomes particularly valuable given the competitive job market and higher salary potential.
Affordability at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus varies significantly by family income, as is typical for private institutions. Low-income students pay about $13,308 annually after aid, which represents strong affordability for a private college, while middle-income families face costs around $24,146 per year. High-income families pay approximately $33,996, reflecting the full private college experience but still within range of many similar institutions in the Northeast.
The university's financial aid approach helps make the private college experience accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds. With about 35% of students receiving Pell Grants, FDU-Florham demonstrates commitment to serving lower-income students while maintaining the small class sizes and personalized attention that characterize the institution. The aid structure appears designed to compete effectively with public alternatives while preserving the distinctive benefits of a private college environment.
Debt levels require careful consideration, as typical graduates carry about $25,000 in federal student loans, with families often contributing through Parent PLUS loans averaging around $26,961. However, the university's strong earnings outcomes help justify these borrowing levels, as graduates typically earn enough to manage repayment comfortably within standard debt-to-income guidelines, particularly given the earnings advantage FDU-Florham provides over similar institutions.
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
