Admit rate has ranged 46%–58% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Fordham University, a Jesuit institution in the Bronx, blends rigorous academics with a vibrant, social campus culture. Known for strong programs in business, communications, and the humanities, it offers students the perks of NYC while maintaining a tight-knit community. With a 58% acceptance rate and robust outcomes—96% of graduates land jobs or further education—Fordham strikes a balance between accessibility and prestige.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
10,512
In-state tuition
$64,915
Out-of-state tuition
$64,915
Acceptance Rate
58%
Undergraduate Majors
70+
Student Organizations
240+
4-Year Graduation Rate
75%
6-Year Graduation Rate
82%
Average Need-Based Aid
$41,919
Median Starting Salary
$70,400
Post-Grad Success Rate
96%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$85,569
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
1.9×
Median debt at graduation
$24,300
Graduation rate
82%
First-year retention
89%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
77%
Pell (lower-income) share
36%
First-generation share
18%
Endowment / student
$97,488
Financial health
2.8 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Finance and Financial Management Services$73,195
Accounting and Related Services$71,351
Mathematics and Statistics, Other$70,176
Computer and Information Sciences, General$58,673
Business Administration, Management and Operations$55,724
Economics
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
12
Per 1,000 students
1.14
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
91
Summer high
83°F
Winter low
29°F
Annual rain
54.3"
Annual snow
19.6"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
304
Scholarly works
30,691
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
4.0%
Bottom → top quintile
52%
From bottom quintile
8%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Fordham University?
Fordham University's acceptance rate is approximately 59% (Bronx, NY), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Fordham University?
Admitted students at Fordham University typically score 1320–1480 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Fordham University cost?
At Fordham University, the average net price (after aid) is about $44,338 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Fordham University?
Fordham University enrolls approximately 10,512 undergraduate students.
Where is Fordham University located?
Fordham University is located in Bronx, NY.
Admissions
Fordham’s admissions process is moderately selective, with a 58% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. for the most recent cycle. The middle 50% SAT range for enrolled students is 1340–1470, and the ACT range is 30–33. Notably, 47% of applicants were admitted in the Class of 2030, reflecting a shift toward greater selectivity due to a 23% surge in applications. While Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight., 60% of admitted students submitted scores (down from 66% the prior year), suggesting scores still carry weight. The university emphasizes Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone., with the Common Data Set (CDS)A standardized report most colleges publish each year with admissions, test-score, and financial-aid figures, making schools easier to compare. highlighting academic rigor, essays, and extracurriculars as key factors.
Fordham offers over 70 undergraduate majors, with standout programs in business, communications, and English. The curriculum emphasizes Jesuit values of critical thinking and service, supported by a 75% four-year graduation rate. Popular majors include visual and performing arts (8% of students), English (5%), and interdisciplinary studies (5%). Students praise the faculty’s accessibility and the Rose Hill campus’s library as a prime study spot. Graduate programs focus on research and mentorship, aligning with industry trends.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$54,678
Urban Studies/Affairs$52,107
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations$48,041
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Life at Fordham balances academic intensity with a lively social scene. The Rose Hill campus buzzes with clubs (over 240 options), sports, and occasional house parties, while Lincoln Center leans more urban. Students describe the culture as “friendly and social,” with ample green spaces for relaxation. Commuters and residents alike benefit from NYC’s opportunities, though the campus itself fosters tight connections. A freshman notes, ‘It’s the best place to nap on the grass between classes.’
Fordham’s outcomes are a major draw: 96% of the Class of 2025 secured employment, grad school, or service roles within six months—beating the national average by 8 points. The median starting salary is $70,400, with a strong alumni network in NYC industries. The 82% six-year graduation rate and 89% freshman retention rate reflect student satisfaction and support. Notably, 75% graduate in four years, a metric that outpaces many peers.
Tuition at Fordham is steep, but 70% of first-years receive Need-based aidFinancial aid awarded based on your family's ability to pay, as measured by forms like the FAFSA, rather than on achievements., averaging $41,919. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. after aid is $45,368, with 79% of students getting financial assistance. Merit scholarships require a FAFSA, and the university encourages using its net price calculator for personalized estimates. While costs are high, the ROI is solid, given the strong employment outcomes.
Fordham’s blend of Jesuit tradition and NYC energy creates a unique niche. Its business and communications programs leverage the city’s resources, while the tight-knit campus (despite its urban setting) fosters community. The 96% ‘landed rate’ for grads underscores its career prep strength, and the shift toward greater selectivity signals rising prestige. For students seeking a balance of academic rigor and vibrant social life, Fordham delivers—with the Bronx and Manhattan as its playground.
Fordham University logo · sourceCampuses of Fordham University - Wikipedia · sourceFordham College at Lincoln Center | Fordham · sourceFordham University | Study New York · source
