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New Jersey City University vs Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus: which has better ROI?

Public, Jersey City NJ · vs · Private nonprofit, Madison NJ

The verdict

Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $91,316 in 10.2 years versus 14.6 years at New Jersey City University, on median earnings of $57,273 vs $52,745 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureNew Jersey City UniversityFairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus
Net price / yr$16,053$22,829
Total net cost$64,212$91,316
Median earnings, 10 yrs$52,745$57,273
Median debt$18,500$25,000
Payback14.6 yrs10.2 yrs
20-year net return$23,488$86,944

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, New Jersey City University or Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus?

New Jersey City University, at $16,053 a year after aid versus $22,829 — a gap of $6,776 a year, or $27,104 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do New Jersey City University or Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus graduates earn more?

Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus graduates report a median $57,273 ten years after entry, $4,528 more than the $52,745 at New Jersey City University. 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, New Jersey City University or Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus?

New Jersey City University: its completers carry a median $18,500 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus, a difference of $6,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

67% of students finish at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus, against 34% at New Jersey City University. 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.

New Jersey City University vs Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus: frequently asked questions

Is New Jersey City University or Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus a better value?
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus. It clears its $91,316 net cost in about 10.2 years versus 14.6 years at New Jersey City University, on median earnings of $57,273 vs $52,745 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, New Jersey City University or Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus?
New Jersey City University: $16,053/yr net price after aid versus $22,829/yr at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus — a difference of $6,776 a year, or about $27,104 over four years.
Do New Jersey City University or Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus graduates earn more?
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus graduates earn a median $57,273 ten years after entry, versus $52,745 at New Jersey City University — a $4,528 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.