Economics at Fordham University

Fordham's economics graduates start at $55,020—already ahead of the typical New York economics grad—but the real story is where they land four years later. That 41% jump to $77,636 puts them within striking distance of elite programs like Vassar and Colgate, despite Fordham's more accessible 56% admission rate. Among New York's 74 economics programs, this ranks solidly at the 60th percentile, punching above many schools with more selective profiles.

The debt picture is equally encouraging. At $24,000, it's manageable relative to that first-year salary (a 0.44 ratio that beats both state and national medians). More importantly, as earnings accelerate into the mid-$70s, that debt becomes an increasingly small fraction of income. The combination of below-average debt and above-average earnings growth suggests graduates aren't sacrificing financial flexibility for the Fordham name.

For families weighing value, this program delivers a clear proposition: competitive New York starting salaries that improve significantly with experience, without the crushing debt or hypercompetitive admissions of programs at the very top. The robust sample size (100+ graduates) confirms these aren't outliers—this is the typical trajectory.