Fordham University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Bronx, New York · Private nonprofit · Moderately selective · CDS 2024-2025
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Fordham University is a private nonprofit university in Bronx, New York that admits about 59% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $44,338 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Finance and Financial Management Services, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Psychology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 82% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 4.8 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Fordham University is a private institution located in Bronx, New York with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Fordham University admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 59%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1400 and an ACT composite around 32. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $44,338 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Fordham University?
73% of enrolled students at Fordham University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.63, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What does Fordham University weight in admissions?
Fordham University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Application essay
- • Recommendations
- • Extracurricular activities
- • Talent/ability
- • Character/personal qualities
- • Volunteer work
- • Work experience
SAT and ACT scores Fordham University typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 660–750, with an EBRW midpoint near 690. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 30–33. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.
| 25th percentile | 1340 |
| 50th percentile | 1400 |
| 75th percentile | 1470 |
| % submitting SAT | 18% |
| 25th percentile | 30 |
| 50th percentile | 32 |
| 75th percentile | 33 |
| % submitting ACT | 6% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 34.3% |
| Top 25% of class | 69.7% |
| Top 50% of class | 92.1% |
| % submitting class rank | 22.9% |
How much does Fordham University actually cost?
Published tuition is $64,915 for in-state students and $64,915 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $24,090 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $44,338 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 21% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $65,920 |
| Room and board | $16,182 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $44,338 |
| Application fee | $75 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Fordham University
| Regular deadline | January 3 |
| Notification date | April 1 |
| Reply deadline | May 1 |
| Offers Early Decision | Yes |
| ED deadline | November 1 |
| ED acceptance rate | 52% |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | November 1 |
Will my child graduate from Fordham University?
These predict outcomes at Fordham University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Fordham University
The most popular undergraduate programs at Fordham University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Finance and Financial Management Services, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Psychology, General. Across all programs, Fordham University confers roughly 1,294 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Finance and Financial Management Services program report a median income of about $133,923 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 229 | $133,923 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 198 | $92,488 |
| Psychology, General | 164 | $69,697 |
| Political Science and Government | 156 | $77,828 |
| International Business | 153 | — |
| Economics | 147 | $90,012 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 131 | $72,537 |
| English Language and Literature, General | 116 | $62,603 |
Is Fordham University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Fordham University disclosed 51 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 4.8 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 16 violent offenses and 18 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Fordham University?
About 43% of undergraduates at Fordham University live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
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Next steps for Fordham University
Common questions parents ask about Fordham University
What GPA do I need for Fordham University?
73% of enrolled students at Fordham University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.63, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Fordham University typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 660–750, with an EBRW midpoint near 690. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 30–33.
How much does Fordham University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Fordham University after grants and scholarships is $44,338 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $64,915. Budget against the net figure.
Is Fordham University realistic for my child?
Fordham University admits 59% of applicants, so 660–750 SAT Math is target range and below 660 is a reach. Then check the $44,338 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Fordham University?
Fordham University accepts about 59% of applicants out of roughly 43,384 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.
Is Fordham University test-optional?
Yes. Fordham University is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at Fordham University?
About 82% of students at Fordham University graduate within six years. 89% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at Fordham University?
Fordham University's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 52%, compared with its overall rate of 59%. The ED rate is not materially higher here, so weigh the binding commitment carefully.
What does Fordham University look for in applicants?
Fordham University rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Fordham University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Fordham University is a private nonprofit institution located in Bronx, New York.
What are the most popular majors at Fordham University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Fordham University by annual graduates are Finance and Financial Management Services, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Psychology, General. The school awards about 1,294 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Fordham University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Fordham University reported 51 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 4.8 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Fordham University?
At Fordham University, 43% of undergraduates live on campus, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Fordham University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers