
Fordham University
From Winding Elms to Bustling City Blocks
Acceptance rate
59.3%
SAT (mid 50%)
1320–1480
Avg net price
$44,338
after aid
Testing
optional
2027 cycle
Sources: the U.S. Department of Education (2024), and Fordham University’s admissions site.
Your chances
How hard is it to get in?
Getting in is the hard part. Fordham University admitted 59.3% of applicants in its most recent reported class, one of the lowest rates in the country. Realistically it is a reach for every applicant, no matter how strong.
Admitted students cluster near the top of the testing range: the middle 50% score 1320–1480 on the SAT and 30–33 on the ACT. Scores at or above that band keep you in contention, but they do not decide it.
The real question is not your odds but your move. That is where Spike comes in: it reads your profile against what Fordham University actually rewards, and tells you what to do next.
What they value
Wisdom, Justice, Ethical Discernment
At Fordham, students receive a rigorous education in one of the world's greatest cities, an education that will sharpen your talents, widen your vision, and prepare you to embrace and create change.
The core curriculum helps students develop a capacity for critical thought before choosing a major, and the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm emphasizes context, experience, reflection, action, and evaluation in the learning process.
- Jesuit Educational PhilosophyLeadership, service, whole person development
- Ignatian Pedagogical ParadigmContext, experience, reflection, action, evaluation
- AI for the Greater GoodHarnessing AI with wisdom, justice, ethical discernment
Verified from fordham.edu and fordham.edu and fordham.edu and fordham.edu and fordham.edu and fordham.edu and fordham.edu and fordham.edu and fordham.edu.
Applying
Requirements and deadlines
- Testingoptional (2027 cycle)
Verified from https://www.fordham.edu.
The essays
Supplemental essay prompts
The current prompts, straight from the application. These change year to year, so most guides you will find are a cycle behind.
Every prompt, with how to approach each →
Verified from https://www.fordham.edu.
Cost and aid
What you will actually pay
The sticker price is about $82,762, but that is not what most families pay. After need-based aid, the average net price is $44,338.
Students receive full consideration for admission and scholarships by completing their applications on or before the specified deadlines.
Ten years after enrolling, graduates earn a median of $85,569.
Verified from https://www.fordham.edu and the U.S. Department of Education.
Campus life
The feel of the place
“Covering the Knicks' historic NBA Finals run right alongside New York and national media pros at Madison Square Garden, a Tuesday here.”
Residential campuses include Rose Hill in the Bronx and Lincoln Center in Manhattan, with additional locations in Westchester and London.
Quick answers
Fordham University FAQ
- Is Fordham University test-optional?
- For the 2027 application cycle, standardized testing at Fordham University is optional.
- How hard is it to get into Fordham University?
- Very hard. Fordham University admits 59.3% of applicants, and the middle 50% of admitted students score 1320 to 1480 on the SAT. Treat it as a reach for every applicant.
- How much does Fordham University cost?
- The list price is about $82,762, but the average price families actually pay after aid is $44,338.
- Is Fordham University worth it?
- Graduates earn a median of $85,569 ten years after enrolling, and 81% graduate within six years. Value depends on your aid offer and your goals, which is exactly what Spike helps you weigh.
Launching soon
Ask Spike anything about Fordham University.
Spike answers from Fordham University’s own site, then helps you figure out your move. Join the waitlist to get in early.
One email when Spike opens. No card, no account. About the waitlist.