Bronx, NY · Private University
Is Fordham University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$85,569
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$61,992
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$61,992
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$247,968
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.38x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.9 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
80.3%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$24,300
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$42,581
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Fordham University graduates earn $40,569 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Fordham University ranked by graduate earnings
173 graduates
62 graduates
96 graduates
200 graduates
143 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Fordham University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Fordham University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Finance and Financial Management Services: $112,777) and the lowest (Dance: $32,434) is $80,343/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management ServicesBest ROI | $112,777 | 1.8x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $96,453 | 1.6x |
| Mathematics | $86,926 | 1.4x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $84,981 | 1.4x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $78,039 | 1.3x |
| Economics | $77,636 | 1.3x |
| Religion/Religious Studies | $75,263 | 1.2x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $67,198 | 1.1x |
| Political Science and Government | $65,198 | 1.1x |
| International Business(1yr data) | $65,131 | 1.1x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $62,162 | 1.0x |
| Area Studies | $59,590 | 1.0x |
| Mathematics and Statistics, Other(1yr data) | $59,063 | 0.9x |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | $58,912 | 0.9x |
| History | $58,741 | 0.9x |
| Biology, General | $58,669 | 0.9x |
| Psychology, General | $58,590 | 0.9x |
| Sociology | $57,799 | 0.9x |
| Marketing(1yr data) | $55,261 | 0.9x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $52,464 | 0.8x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $51,721 | 0.8x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $49,855 | 0.8x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences(1yr data) | $47,985 | 0.8x |
| Anthropology | $46,873 | 0.8x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication(1yr data) | $45,931 | 0.7x |
| Journalism(1yr data) | $42,769 | 0.7x |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General(1yr data) | $41,165 | 0.7x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts(1yr data) | $36,704 | 0.6x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $34,556 | 0.6x |
| DanceLowest | $32,434 | 0.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fordham University | 1.38x | $85,569 | Average ROI |
| American University | 1.37x | $77,370 | Average ROI |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | 1.65x | $102,051 | Good ROI |
| George Washington University | 1.40x | $90,873 | Average ROI |
| Providence College | 1.43x | $87,054 | Average ROI |
| Fairfield University | 1.57x | $88,794 | Good ROI |
The Bottom Line
Fordham University delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $85,569 10 years after starting — $40,569 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.9 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.