Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Fordham University

A Liberal Arts degree from Fordham carries an estimated $24,865 in debt—roughly in line with other New York programs—but the earnings picture looks challenging. Based on comparable Liberal Arts programs across the state, first-year earnings around $35,800 would leave graduates earning just $1.50 more per month than the typical program nationwide. By year four, the $44,156 median represents modest growth, but it's worth noting that some New York Liberal Arts programs produce dramatically different outcomes: Molloy graduates earn $74,868, and even Cornell's Liberal Arts graduates start around $46,000. The gap suggests that not all Liberal Arts degrees deliver similar value, even within the same state.

The 0.69 debt-to-earnings ratio based on peer programs falls within manageable territory—graduates would owe roughly eight months of their first-year salary. However, Fordham's selectivity (56% admission rate, 1412 average SAT) and relatively low Pell Grant enrollment (21%) suggest students are arriving with strong credentials. For families investing in a competitive private university, the estimated earnings trajectory feels underwhelming compared to what similarly qualified students might achieve at other institutions or in other programs. The real question isn't whether graduates can repay their loans—they likely can—but whether this particular degree maximizes the return on both tuition dollars and student potential at a school of Fordham's caliber.