Head-to-Head Comparison
Fordham University vs Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- Fordham Wins
- 16
- Tied
- 11
- Massachusetts Pharmacy Wins
- 17
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Fordham University achieves a higher graduation rate (81% vs 63%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $44,338 compared to Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's $39,545 for in-state paths. Students who choose Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $125,557 at ten years.
44 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Fordham
- Higher grad rate: 81% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $24,300, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 59% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Massachusetts Pharmacy
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment, 47% more than Fordham University
- Lower cost: Average net price of $39,545, roughly $4,793 a year less
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Fordham graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (19% of degrees); Massachusetts Pharmacy in Health Professions (93%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences over Fordham University. Median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment vs $85,569.
Pick Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences over Fordham University. Net price $39,545 vs $44,338.
Pick Fordham University over Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. 81% completion rate vs 63%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Fordham University and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences are close on paper, but Fordham University wins the head-to-head, leading on 3 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Fordham University is the harder admit. It takes 59% of applicants, while Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences takes 85%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,418 to 1,269.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Fordham University sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $39,545, about $4,793 a year below Fordham University's $44,338. Graduates of Fordham University also borrow less: median debt of $24,300, against $25,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $19,172 before any change in aid. Choosing Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates report median earnings of $125,557, compared with $85,569 at Fordham University. That is a 47% advantage. Set against borrowing, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.2x to 0.28x.
So what: An earnings gap of 47% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Fordham University graduates a larger share of its students, 81% versus 63%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 18% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences to keep costs and debt down.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
Their academic identities diverge. Fordham University concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Mathematics & Statistics, while Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences leans toward Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $44,338 runs well above Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's $39,545.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Fordham University's enrollment of 10,512 far exceeds Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's 3,451.
- Business and consulting-track students: Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has less business program depth, and Fordham University offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Fordham University
Bronx, NY · Private nonprofit
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.
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Boston, MA · Private nonprofit
A full data profile for Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences — outcomes, cost, and admissions — is on its profile page.
Rankings They Appear On
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is featured on the Highest-Paying Colleges for Healthcare Administration ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Fordham's top program is Business Administration (19% of enrollment), while Massachusetts Pharmacy leads with Nursing (BSN) (93%).
Massachusetts Pharmacy
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Fordham) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Massachusetts Pharmacy).
The two schools feed different job markets. Fordham University is strongest in Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Mathematics & Statistics, Communications, while Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences concentrates in Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, Physical Sciences. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Fordham
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Fordham University or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
Fordham University is harder to get into, admitting 59% of applicants compared with 85% at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Which is more affordable, Fordham University or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is more affordable, with an average net price of $39,545 after aid versus $44,338 at Fordham University.
Do Fordham University or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates earn more?
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates earn more: median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment, versus $85,569 at Fordham University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Fordham University or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
Fordham University has the higher graduation rate, 81% versus 63%.
Should you choose Fordham University or Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Fordham University if you want the more selective, higher-stats peer group. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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