Is Fordham a good school? What is Fordham known for? Is Fordham Ivy League? These are some questions you might have if you’re considering applying to Fordham University.
This article answers all the above questions and more! We discuss Fordham reviews that rank the school in terms of quality of education, location, and reputation. Additionally, we break down some of the top degree programs offered at Fordham.
Fordham Profile
- Campus Location(s): Lincoln Center, Rose Hill, Westchester
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Acceptance Rate: 58%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Annual Undergraduate Tuition: $56,920/year (full time); $1,897/credit (part time)
- Annual Graduate Tuition: $23,112/year
Fordham University was established in 1841. The school has three campuses: one in bustling downtown Manhattan, one in a quiet neighborhood in the Bronx, and one outside the city in suburban Westchester. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Fordham currently has a student body of approximately 16,364 students. Fordham uses a semester-based calendar for academic purposes and has good graduation rates.
Where Is Fordham?
Fordham is located in New York State, with campuses across the larger New York City metropolitan area. Fordham’s Columbus Circle campus is in Manhattan at Lincoln Center and is also just a few blocks away from Central Park. The Rose Hill campus, located in the Bronx, is a more traditional college campus spanning 85 acres. The suburban Westchester campus, located in the town of Harrison, is by far the smallest campus, with only 221 enrolled students.
What Is Fordham Known For?
Fordham is known for being a Jesuit Catholic institution. The Jesuit tradition promotes academic achievement and social justice, so if you want to use your degree to help others, Fordham might be a good fit. It’s also known for its beautiful campuses and high graduation rates across all programs.
Is Fordham Ivy League?
No, Fordham is not an Ivy League school. However, Fordham is notable for being the only Jesuit university in New York City, the third-oldest university in New York City, and also for offering small class sizes.
How Big Is Fordham?
Fordham is a medium-sized university, according to the US Department of Education. Based on the College Scorecard by NCES, its total enrollment is approximately 16,364 students. There are approximately 9,399 total undergraduate students and over 2,500 international students.
Is a Degree From Fordham Good?
Yes, a degree from Fordham is good because Fordham provides a rigorous education and produces graduates who are eligible for jobs they’re interested in. About 91 percent of 2021 Fordham graduates were employed within six months of graduation, meaning that the average student at Fordham will be able to find a job after they graduate. This makes it an attractive school for any prospective student looking to gain employment quickly after graduation.
How Much Does Fordham Cost?
Fordham college costs $56,920 per year for full-time undergraduate students and $1,897 per year for part-time undergraduate students. Graduate student tuition and fees vary according to school and the type of academic program. According to NCES data, the average annual tuition for a graduate student at Fordham is $23,112.
Fordham Financial Aid
Ninety-three percent of first-year students receive some type of financial aid to offset the price of attending Fordham University. It is highly recommended that prospective students apply for financial aid to avoid student debt. Financial aid options at Fordham include grants and scholarships from the federal government as well as institutional and state grants, work-study jobs, and subsidized and unsubsidized student loans.
Fordham Scholarships
- Maurice J. and Carolyn Dursi Cunniffe Presidential Scholarship. The Cunniffe Presidential Scholarship aid covers tuition and fees in full. Recipients may also receive up to $20,000 over four years for academic activities. This scholarship requires that recipients maintain full-time enrollment and a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Fordham Recognition Scholarship. The Fordham Recognition Scholarship is offered to incoming first-year students with excellent academic records who rank in the top three percent of admitted students. This award pays the full tuition not covered by other kinds of financial aid (not including fees).
- Dean’s Scholarship. The Dean’s Scholarship is for incoming freshmen or transfer students and has an annual award amount of $20,000. To be eligible, you must have a GPA of 3.75 GPA or higher as well as a record of commitment to your community.
- National Science Foundation ASPIRES Scholarships (ASPIRES). These scholarships are granted to incoming first-year students at the Rose Hill campus who have a record of academic achievement, an interest in STEM education, and financial need. Award amounts range from $1,000 to $10,000 per year, depending on need.
- Rev. George McMahon, S.J. Scholarship. The recipient of this scholarship must be a high school senior who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, solid test scores, and financial need. The recipient’s complete financial aid package will be supplemented by the scholarship to cover the full cost of attendance.
Fordham Rankings
As we’ve outlined above, Fordham University is a prestigious Catholic institution in New York City. In this section, we list several Fordham ranking metrics. We’ll consider different nationally and internationally recognized university ranking systems that have looked at what Fordham is known for and Fordham reviews to help aspiring students make their decisions.
Fordham US News & World Report Ranking
The US News & World Report places Fordham University in the 1,127th position globally. While this is not a particularly high overall rank, some Fordham programs have higher rankings, particularly the arts and humanities program coming in at 235 and the psychiatry/psychology program, which is ranked 396th globally. According to the best national university rankings for 2022, Fordham University is the 68th-best university in the US.
Fordham Times Higher Education Ranking
The Times Higher Education world university ranking for Fordham University lies between 601–800th. Universities are ranked based on teaching, research, and international outlook. According to the Times Higher Education national ranking, Fordham takes 171st place.
Fordham Center for World University Rankings
The Center for World University Rankings puts Fordham in the 1,087th position globally. In the national rankings, it comes in 229th. This ranking system gives each university a score out of 100, and Fordham has a score of 69.7.
Fordham QS World University Rankings
Fordham’s ranking according to QS World Universities is 1,001-1,200th. This system uses data about academic reputation, employer reputation, student-to-faculty ratio, and international faculty ratio. It also looks at postgraduate employment outcomes to rank schools.
Fordham Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU)
Fordham University is unranked in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) by Shanghai Rankings.
Top Programs at Fordham
As we consider the question “Is Fordham a good school,” we have to look at Fordham’s many degree programs. Fordham offers academic programs in many different educational areas at bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate levels. This section will discuss the top programs at Fordham.
Bachelor’s Degrees at Fordham
Fordham has many strong bachelor’s degree programs and an average class size of 23 for these programs. Some of the most popular fields of undergraduate study at Fordham are accounting, business administration and management, and finance. Others include marketing, engineering, social sciences, and liberal arts.
Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences
The biological sciences BS curriculum will give you a complete grasp of life’s processes from the molecular level to the biosphere. Many programs include both lecture and lab elements. Undergraduate researchers at Fordham are expected to present their findings to the scientific world at the college’s annual Undergraduate Research Symposium. College students that undertake outstanding research are encouraged to submit their findings to scientific journals for publication. This is also a great major for medical school.
Bachelor of Arts in Economics
Students in this BA economics degree program learn analytical skills, economic theory, and more. History, philosophy, political science, and mathematics are all topics of study. Graduates of this program will be prepared to pursue a variety of occupations in fields like business, finance, and education. An undergraduate college education in economics from Fordham can also make you a strong candidate for many law schools.
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
To prepare school students for careers in environmental science, this program provides a foundation in scientific principles and analysis and also emphasizes environmental applications. An integrated approach to teaching and learning across disciplines is a feature of the degree program. After the first two years of core classes, students in this program choose a focus area and complete a research project or an internship.
Master’s Degrees at Fordham
Master’s degrees at Fordham are offered through seven different colleges. The most popular graduate programs at Fordham are social work, law, and business analytics. Some of the top graduate degree programs are discussed below.
Master of Science in Professional Accounting
Students enrolled in the Master of Science in Professional Accounting program gain knowledge and skills in a wide range of current accounting areas. Concentrations like audit information technology or advisory are available. Students also have access to technical workshops, industry seminars, and the rigorous core curriculum. An award-winning faculty and a substantial alumni network will be there to assist you as you pursue a career in accounting or a related field.
Master of Science in Business Analytics
In the Fordham MSBA degree program, students learn the analytical and data science skills they’ll need to succeed in the workplace. Aspiring business analysts will be trained to effectively analyze data from various business contexts. They’ll learn to integrate analytics, data management, and information technology techniques.
Master of Science in Finance
This program gives graduate students strategies to approach global portfolios and growing economies. It also hones abilities in asset management and risk management. This degree is perfect for anyone who wants to work in international finance.
Other Top Programs at Fordham
Fordham University’s Catholic foundations are an integral part of the institution. They guide the school’s mission and how it foregrounds social and institutional justice issues in its curricula. In the next section, we discuss some of the top programs at Fordham offered through the Graduate School of Religion & Religious Education.
Master of Arts in Christian Spirituality
Graduates of this program will be well-equipped to guide and support others on their spiritual journeys. This degree trains students to integrate professional development with an understanding of the biblical, theological, and historical roots of spirituality. Career paths for this major include spiritual director, social worker, or teacher.
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Master of Arts in Pastoral Mental Health Counseling
If you’re looking for a mental health counseling course as well as learning the fundamentals of theology and spirituality, this program could be the right fit for you. This degree offers graduate studies to bright students who want to work in religious contexts that can involve mental health or spiritual counseling. Potential career paths include chaplain or pastoral minister.
Master of Arts in Religious Education
This MA religious degree provides a solid foundation in major theological topics. The skills and information you will gain in this program will prepare you to serve in a variety of settings, including dioceses, educational institutions, and non-profits. This program is also offered online if you’re looking for added flexibility.
How to Apply to Fordham
- Fill out the application form. Fill out the college application form online and include your essay explaining your motivation to attend Fordham. At this point, you may need to pay an application fee too.
- Submit the required documents. Required documents can include a high school diploma, proof of any relevant academic degree, transcripts, and letters of recommendation.
- Submit the optional documents. You may need to provide documents like SAT and ACT or other test scores during the college application process.
- Select a campus and college. Make an informed decision regarding the Fordham campus and the program you want to pursue.
- Meet the deadlines. There are university-wide deadlines as well as program-specific deadlines. It’s always advised to prepare and submit all the application materials well before deadlines and be patient when waiting for admissions decisions.
How Much Do Fordham Graduates Earn?
Fordham graduates earn an average salary of $74k per year, according to PayScale. Fordham graduates who work as executive directors earn a median income of $128,000 per year. Fordham alumni who work as executive assistants earn on average $69,723 per year, and those who work as project managers earn an average starting salary of $81,048 per year. While typical salaries vary, this data shows that Fordham graduates have good salaries overall. This means it’s possible to pay back student debt and student loans accrued while studying at Fordham.
Is Fordham a Good College?
Yes, Fordham is a good college because it provides high-quality education. Fordham has a fairly high annual cost, and student expenses in New York can also be high, but this can all be offset by financial aid and career opportunities with high median salaries. Fordham’s location in New York City also makes a great option if you want to take advantage of the kinds of career opportunities cities provide while you study and after you graduate.
Is Fordham a Good School? FAQ
Yes, Fordham is considered an elite school. It’s a private university with a beautiful campus, a strong faculty, and ambitious students. It also offers excellent academics, small class sizes, and also has opportunities for Greek life for those interested. Graduates can usually expect to find employment relatively quickly and can access high-paying jobs with an excellent annual income.
Yes, it is hard to get into Fordham. Only 58 percent of students who apply are accepted to Fordham college each year. While the school is not an extremely competitive institution, applicants should have a good GPA and test scores as well as proof of extracurricular and community involvement.
Fordham University’s students are primarily from upper-middle class backgrounds. However, Fordham students do come from a wide range of environments. This school encourages different types of students from all religious and social backgrounds to apply.
No, not everyone at Fordham is religious. The college admits students from all kinds of religious backgrounds and cultures.
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