Fordham University
#9 Best Communications Colleges in New York- Graduation Rate
- 81% A-
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $85,569 A+
- Top 3% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $44,338 F
- 159% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 59% B
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 13.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $13.0 over 20 years. Ranked #9 in Best Communications Colleges in New York.
Every $1 spent returns $13.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $2,123,307.
What The Data Says
-
A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
-
Graduates earn 110% more than the national college median.
-
A 81% graduation rate — 42% above the national average.
-
A top feeder school for 8 major employers.
-
Social mobility rate of 3.98% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.2%
- Top 74%
- Patents
- 14
- Linked to graduates
- Employer Pipelines
- 8
- Top feeder programs
- Patent Citations
- 118
- Downstream influence
Why Fordham University Matters
Fordham University is a private research university in Bronx, NY and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base, a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network, and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 3% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 10,512
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 30
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Mathematics & Statistics, Communications
Why students choose Fordham University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 59% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1320–1480. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $44,338 a year after grants and scholarships — 159% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $85,569 ten years after enrolling — 110% above the typical college, against $24,300 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 4.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 4% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.85 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of over 10,500 students, Fordham University in the Bronx, NY, caters to those who are serious about their education and looking for a vibrant campus life. The acceptance rate of 59% suggests that while it's competitive, many students have the chance to join a community that values diverse perspectives. Popular areas of study include Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Mathematics & Statistics, Psychology, and Communications, making it an attractive choice for students pursuing both practical and theoretical knowledge.
After graduation, alumni can expect to earn an average of $85,569 within ten years, which reflects the solid grounding they receive in their respective fields. While the details on mobility and economic connectedness aren’t available, it’s clear that a Fordham degree can open doors for many students. The affordability aspect is also worth noting, as it allows for a good return on investment, especially when considering the earnings potential.
The net price after aid stands at $44,338, and with a median debt of $24,300, many graduates find themselves in a manageable financial situation as they start their careers. Students who thrive here tend to be those who actively engage with the community, seek out internships, and take advantage of networking opportunities. Fordham’s supportive environment encourages personal and professional growth, making it a solid choice for those ready to invest in their future.
Rankings
- #9 Best Communications Colleges in New York
- #9 Best MBA Programs for General Management
- #13 Highest-Paying Colleges for Communications
- #14 Best MBA Programs in New York
- #15 Highest-Paying Colleges for English
- #22 Best Business Colleges in New York
- #23 Best Online Colleges in New York
- #23 Highest-Paying Colleges for Visual
Can I Get In?
How selective Fordham University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Fordham University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Bronx, New York, Fordham University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 59% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,418. The graduation rate is roughly 81%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 59%
- Retention Rate
- 89%
- SAT Average
- 1418
- ACT Midpoint
- 32
- SAT Range
- 1320–1480
- ACT Range
- 30–33
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $16,236
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.73
- First-Gen Students
- 18%
- Applicants
- 47,203
- Admitted
- 25,550
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Fordham University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Fordham University is $64,915, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $44,338. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $32,474 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,300 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $64,915
- Out-of-State
- $64,915
- Avg Net Price
- $44,338
- Median Debt
- $24,300
- Pell Grant Rate
- 21%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 47%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $32,474
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $31,657
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $37,313
- Family Income $110K+
- $52,228
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Fordham University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Fordham University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Fordham University earn a median of $85,569, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $68,008
- 8 Years
- $75,002
- 10 Years
- $85,569
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.28x
- Earning > $25K
- 79%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (1,750)
- 79%
- 100% (1,750)
- 79%
- 100% (1,750)
- 79%
- 100% (1,750)
- 79%
Where Grads Go
Fordham University is a top feeder for:
- #2 American Express
- #2 SAP
- #3 JP Morgan Chase
- #4 Johnson & Johnson
- #6 PepsiCo
- #6 Google
- #7 Citigroup
- #7 KPMG
Rank among programs feeding each employer.
Top employers of Fordham University’s MBA graduates, by hires reported in the school’s employment report.
- Amazon ✓ VerifiedTechnology · Class of 2022
- Google ✓ VerifiedTechnology · Class of 2022
- PepsiCo ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2022
- American Express ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2022
- IBM ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2022
- PwC ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2022
- Bank of America ✓ VerifiedFinance & banking · Class of 2022
- Johnson & Johnson ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2022
- SAP ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2022
- Citigroup ✓ VerifiedFinance & banking · Class of 2022
- JP Morgan Chase ✓ VerifiedFinance & banking · Class of 2022
- SC Johnson ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2022
- Deloitte ✓ VerifiedConsulting · Class of 2022
- KPMG ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2022
- Unilever ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2022
How Fordham Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Fordham University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Fordham University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $44,338/year ($177,352 total). Graduates earn $85,569 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $2,300,659 in total earnings — a net gain of $2,123,307 (13.0× your investment). The median debt is $24,300, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 81% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $177,352
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $2,300,659
- Net Return
- $2,123,307
- ROI Multiple
- 13.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $44,338
- Median Debt
- $24,300
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 81%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Fordham University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Fordham University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 3.98%, among the highest in the country. About 7.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 52.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $113,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 3.98%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 52.1%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 7.6%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $153,935
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Fordham University produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 14 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.21%
- Top 74% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 14
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 118
- Downstream influence
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-54,221,000
Top Programs
The fields Fordham University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 19% $86,970 early-career
- Social Sciences 15% $64,968 early-career
- Mathematics & Statistics 13% $83,383 early-career
- Communications 11% $60,519 early-career
- Psychology 9% $43,844 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 7% $46,778 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 5% $38,524 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 5% $69,715 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Fordham University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- B-AI/ML Engineer$156,000 · 23% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Computer Vision Engineer$145,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Fordham University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Bronx, New York, Fordham University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 59% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,418. The graduation rate is roughly 81%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Fordham University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Fordham University is $64,915, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $44,338. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $32,474 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,300 in federal student loans.
Is Fordham University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Fordham University earn a median of $85,569, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
Does Fordham University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Fordham University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 3.98%, among the highest in the country. About 7.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 52.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $113,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Fordham University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Fordham University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.85, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
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Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Fordham University.
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona BeachDaytona Beach, FL · Close peer67% grad $84,131 earn 65% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar net price
- Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia, PA · Close peer78% grad $84,648 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- George Washington UniversityWashington, DC · Close peer85% grad $90,873 earn 47% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY · Close peer82% grad $79,164 earn 46% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA · Close peer71% grad $89,812 earn 62% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar net price
- American UniversityWashington, DC · Close peer77% grad $77,370 earn 62% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Fordham University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Fordham University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.85, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note