Jersey College vs Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus: which has better ROI?
Jersey College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $105,116 in 5.9 years versus 6.9 years at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus, on median earnings of $66,087 vs $57,273 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Jersey College | Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $52,558 | $15,404 |
| Total net cost | $105,116 | $61,616 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $66,087 | $57,273 |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 5.9 yrs | 6.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $249,424 | $116,644 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Jersey College or Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus?
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus, at $15,404 a year after aid versus $52,558 — a gap of $37,154 a year, or $43,500 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Jersey College or Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus graduates earn more?
Jersey College graduates report a median $66,087 ten years after entry, $8,814 more than the $57,273 at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Jersey College or Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus?
Jersey College: its completers carry a median $21,000 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus, a difference of $4,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
53% of students finish at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus, against 45% at Jersey College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.