Fordham University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Fordham University charges a net price of $44,338/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $177,352. Graduates earn a median $85,569 ten years after entry, $37,209/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 4.8 years — a 20-year net return of $566,828, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Fordham University's 4.8-year payback ranks #393 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 69% of them, and #45 of 203 in New York.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $44,338/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $177,352 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $85,569 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $37,209/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $24,300 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 4.8 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $566,828 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Fordham University's own numbers. Net price $44,338 × 4 years = $177,352 total. Median earnings $85,569 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $37,209 a year of premium. $177,352 ÷ $37,209 = 4.8 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $566,828. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Fordham University students graduate with?
A median $24,300 in federal loans among completers, or 28% of the $85,569 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Fordham University students graduate?
82% finish their degree. Spread the $177,352 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $216,283 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Fordham University expensive compared with other New York colleges?
Its $44,338 net price runs $25,425 above the $18,913 median across the 203 New York colleges we profile, or $101,700 more across the full degree.