Biological and Physical Sciences at Fordham University

Fordham's Biological and Physical Sciences program starts slowly but shows exceptional earnings growth, with graduates nearly doubling their income from $29,958 to $58,912 between years one and four. That 97% jump is remarkable, but the initial year is concerningly low—well below both the national median of $34,380 and New York's $36,362. Among New York programs, this ranks only in the 25th percentile for earnings, trailing options like CUNY Hunter College that offer similar outcomes at potentially lower costs.

The debt picture is manageable at $24,250, matching both national and state medians, and the 0.81 debt-to-earnings ratio improves dramatically as salaries climb. However, parents should understand that first year: recent graduates earning under $30,000 in one of the country's most expensive metropolitan areas face real financial strain, even with reasonable debt loads. The moderate sample size also means these numbers could shift with future cohorts.

This program works for students who can weather the initial years—perhaps through family support or graduate school—and who are prepared to leverage Fordham's New York connections to reach that stronger four-year outcome. But if your child needs immediate financial independence after graduation, programs with stronger starting salaries deserve serious consideration, even if their growth trajectories are less dramatic.