At $42,581/yr net price, Fordham University graduates earn $85,569/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $51,569/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $42,581 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $170,324 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $85,569/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$51,569/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 80.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $24,300 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $31,239/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $33,504/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $38,039/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $41,753/yr |
| $110,001+ | $50,121/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $122,038 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $113,850 | $50,293 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Master | $103,078 | |
| Law. | Doctoral | $100,690 | $147,561 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $85,538 | $21,199 |
| Taxation. | Master | $81,702 | $20,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Master | $80,705 | |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Doctoral | $79,081 | $83,264 |
| Economics. | Master | $73,446 | |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $73,195 | $26,870 |
The Risk Factor
80.3% of students at Fordham University graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Fordham costs $42,581 a year and pays back at $85,569 median earnings ten years out. That gap works because the school sits in New York City and funnels graduates into finance and accounting jobs. Median debt of $24,300 stays under one year of that later salary, which is a manageable load.
Your major decides everything here. Finance and accounting are the clear winners, both clearing $71,000 early with debt that pays off fast. Math and statistics track close behind. Computer science lags the finance track by roughly $14,500 a year while carrying higher debt, so it's the weakest of the strong options. General business administration sits at the bottom of this list at $55,724 with $25,000 in debt, the least efficient trade among the top programs.
The main risk is the price itself. At full sticker, four years runs past $170,000, and if you land in general business instead of finance, the payoff shrinks while the bill stays the same. The 87.63% retention and 80.30% graduation rates mean most people finish, so you're unlikely to pay for years without a degree, but the cost only makes sense if you commit to a high-earning major.
This is a good fit if you're aiming at Wall Street or a Big Four accounting firm and can use New York's job market directly. Look elsewhere if you want a general degree at this price or plan to leave the region.
Net price barely moves by income here. Families under $30,000 still pay $31,239, and even the lowest tier saves only about $19,000 off the top-income figure of $50,121. If your family earns under $48,000, the $33,504 net price is a heavy lift that demands a finance or accounting outcome to justify it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fordham University worth the high tuition cost?
Fordham's $42,581 annual net price is steep, but graduates earn $85,569 after 10 years, which helps offset costs. The school's business and finance programs show strong returns, with finance graduates earning over $103,000 annually.
What are the best paying majors at Fordham University?
Educational Administration leads at $122,038, followed by Business Administration at $113,850 and Finance at $103,078. Law graduates earn around $100,690, making these programs the strongest financial bets at Fordham.
How much student debt do Fordham University graduates typically have?
Fordham graduates leave with a median debt of $24,300, which is manageable compared to the national average. With starting salaries in the mid-$80,000s for most graduates, debt payments should be reasonable.
Does Fordham University have good job placement and earning potential?
Fordham graduates earn $85,569 ten years after graduation, which is solid but not exceptional for the tuition paid. The 80% graduation rate suggests most students complete their programs, though earnings vary significantly by major.