History at Fordham University

The immediate post-graduation reality here is stark: history graduates from Fordham earn less than minimum wage in their first year, landing in the bottom 10% both nationally and among New York's 86 history programs. At $20,075, that first-year figure sits 35% below the state median and trails the national benchmark by nearly $11,000. Even programs at CUNY Lehman—a public institution with far lower sticker prices—place graduates earning more than double Fordham's first-year outcomes.

The dramatic rebound by year four tells a different story. Earnings jump to $58,741, well above both state and national medians, suggesting Fordham's network and credential eventually open doors. But that trajectory requires surviving lean early years with $26,000 in debt—manageable by national standards, but challenging when paired with sub-poverty initial earnings. This pattern likely reflects graduates pursuing unpaid internships, graduate programs, or career pivots before landing in higher-paying fields that value liberal arts training.

For families paying Fordham's tuition premium, the question becomes whether that four-year payoff justifies the financial stress of the first few years. If your child has family support to bridge those early gaps or plans for graduate school anyway, the long-term trajectory works. But if they'll need immediate income to service loans, this represents a significant gamble compared to more affordable in-state options that start stronger out of the gate.