Fordham University
Fordham University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Fordham University at a Glance
Fordham University is a private Jesuit research university in New York City, United States. Established in 1841, it is named after the Fordham neighborhood of the Bronx in which its original campus is located. Fordham is the oldest Catholic and Jesuit university in the northeastern United States and the third-oldest university in New York City.
1841
185 years old
$1.1B
$1.05 billion (2025)
16,153
10,307 undergrad · 5,846 grad
747
39 acres
Identity
Is Fordham University Worth It?
At a value score of 39/100, Fordham University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $85,569 — 59% above average — while paying $44,338/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.1-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 81% graduation rate means roughly 19% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Fordham University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Fordham University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #5 of 11 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of San Diego | 59 | $30,365 | $86,522 |
| #2 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | 59 | $36,228 | $102,051 |
| #3 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute | 54 | $43,071 | $103,470 |
| #4 | Southern Methodist University | 40 | $40,892 | $78,354 |
| #5 | Fordham University | 39 | $44,338 | $85,569 |
| #6 | Rochester Institute of Technology | 39 | $34,906 | $76,571 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Fordham University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in NY.
Best Programs at Fordham University
The highest-earning program at Fordham University is Finance and Financial Management Services at $66,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Dance at $20,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Finance and Financial Management Services graduate from Fordham University earns $66,900, while a Dance graduate earns $20,100. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Finance and Financial Management Services graduates carry $26,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Dance.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $44,338/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $66,900 | $66,900 | $26,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $65,300 | $65,300 | $24,577 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $55,600 | $55,600 | $23,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $50,800 | $50,800 | $23,250 |
| Economics | $50,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 |
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations | $45,800 | $45,800 | $27,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $41,400 | $41,400 | $25,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $39,400 | $39,400 | $26,000 |
| History | $38,800 | $38,800 | $26,482 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $38,300 | $38,300 | $26,000 |
| Area Studies | $37,700 | $37,700 | $25,474 |
| Psychology, General | $36,900 | $36,900 | $25,000 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $34,200 | $34,200 | $26,464 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $32,500 | $32,500 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $30,400 | $30,400 | $27,000 |
| Sociology | $30,400 | $30,400 | $21,812 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $28,800 | $28,800 | $27,000 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | $24,100 | $24,100 | $22,989 |
| Anthropology | $23,200 | $23,200 | $25,647 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $21,700 | $21,700 | $26,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $20,700 | $20,700 | $22,468 |
| Dance | $20,100 | $20,100 | $27,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Bronx, NY
- Student Body
- 10,512 students
- Admission Rate
- 59%
- Graduation Rate
- 81%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $44,338
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $85,569
- Median Student Debt
- $24,300