Median Earnings (1yr)
$76,473
95th percentile
80th percentile in New York
Median Debt
$23,970
4% below national median

Analysis

Fordham's accounting program stands out as one of New York's strongest performers, with first-year earnings of $76,473β€”nearly $25,000 above the state median and topping even Syracuse and Binghamton. Among New York accounting programs, this ranks in the 80th percentile, making it a top-tier option in a state with 76 competing programs. The 26% earnings growth to $96,453 by year four suggests graduates are advancing into senior roles at a healthy pace.

The debt picture is equally encouraging. At just under $24,000, graduates carry slightly less than the state average, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31β€”meaning typical students pay off their investment in roughly four months of gross salary. This combination of strong earnings and manageable debt places Fordham among the elite accounting programs nationally, ranking in the 95th percentile. The program's location in the Bronx, with access to New York City's concentration of major accounting firms and financial institutions, likely contributes to these robust outcomes.

For families weighing the investment, this program delivers clear value. The moderate sample size means the data represents real outcomes across multiple graduating classes. While Fordham's tuition runs higher than SUNY options, the premium translates to approximately $50,000 more in lifetime earnings based on the first four-year trajectory alone. This is a strong choice for students targeting Big Four firms or corporate accounting roles in the New York metro area.

Where Fordham University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all accounting bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Fordham University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Fordham University$76,473$96,453+26%
Yeshiva University$69,252$87,338+26%
Syracuse University$75,294$85,784+14%
Binghamton University$74,151$84,365+14%
Molloy University$70,344$84,281+20%

Compare to Similar Programs in New York

Accounting bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (76 total in state)

Scroll to see more β†’

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Fordham UniversityBronx$61,992$76,473$96,453$23,9700.31
Syracuse UniversitySyracuse$63,061$75,294$85,784$27,0000.36
Binghamton UniversityVestal$10,363$74,151$84,365$19,5000.26
Marist UniversityPoughkeepsie$46,140$71,436$79,786$23,2500.33
Molloy UniversityRockville Centre$37,840$70,344$84,281$27,0000.38
Yeshiva UniversityNew York$49,900$69,252$87,338$22,5000.32
National Medianβ€”$53,694β€”$25,0000.47

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with accounting graduates

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial and Investment Analysts

Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Examiners

Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.

$90,400/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Budget Analysts

Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.

$87,930/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Accountants and Auditors

Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.

$81,680/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents

Determine tax liability or collect taxes from individuals or business firms according to prescribed laws and regulations.

$59,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.

$49,210/yrJobs growth:Some college, no degree

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks

Compile and record employee time and payroll data. May compute employees' time worked, production, and commission. May compute and post wages and deductions, or prepare paychecks.

$48,650/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Fordham University, approximately 21% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 62 graduates with reported earnings and 113 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.