Mathematics and Statistics at Fordham University

Fordham's Mathematics and Statistics program lands squarely in the middle—$59,000 starting salary meets the national median exactly, though it does outperform 60% of New York programs. The debt picture, however, stands out favorably: at $24,625, graduates face manageable repayment that's notably lower than most programs nationwide. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42, this means less than half a year's salary to repay loans, which should be comfortable for most entry-level quants and analysts.

The challenge here is the ceiling. While the program beats many SUNY options and smaller New York schools, it trails NYU's math graduates by more than $20,000 annually. For families paying Fordham's private school premium, that gap matters—you're not getting the same doors opened as the top-tier NYC programs. The moderate sample size suggests a smaller cohort, which could mean fewer alumni connections in finance and tech compared to larger programs.

For students who value the Jesuit liberal arts environment and strong academic credentials (1412 average SAT), this program delivers solid fundamentals without crushing debt. But if maximizing quantitative career earnings is the priority, and your student can access NYU or comparable programs, the numbers suggest looking there first. Fordham works best for families who prioritize the overall undergraduate experience alongside decent—not exceptional—job market outcomes.