Northeastern vs Fordham

Northeastern University and Fordham University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Northeastern, located in the heart of Boston, boasts a vibrant urban campus and a renowned co-op program that seamlessly integrates classroom learning with real-world experience. Fordham, with its campuses in New York City and Westchester County, provides a blend of urban and suburban settings, emphasizing a well-rounded liberal arts education. While Northeastern enjoys a higher acceptance rate, Fordham maintains a slightly smaller student body, fostering a close-knit community. Both universities excel in various academic disciplines, with Northeastern excelling in engineering, computer science, and business, while Fordham is known for its strengths in the liberal arts, sciences, and business. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these universities' acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, graduation rates, and other key factors, helping you make an informed decision about your academic journey.

	Fordham University	Northeastern University
Overview
Location	Bronx, New York	Boston, Massachusetts
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	88.0%	97.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation	Catholic

Admission
Acceptance rate	58.3%	18.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $70	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1300 - 1480	1430 - 1550
ACT range	30 - 33	33 - 35
Students submitting SAT score	26.0%	28.0%
Students submitting ACT score	11.0%	14.0%
Total number of applicants	46,275	75,244
Total number of admissions given out	26,980	13,829
Admitted students who chose to enroll	2,879	4,504
Yield rate	10.7%	32.6%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$72,559	$78,202
Average net price	$37,583	$38,927
Tuition	$54,730	$56,500
Room & board	$21,035	Room/dormitory: $9,900 Meal plan: $7,910
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	94.0% Average amount $34,114	80.0% Average amount $36,308
Students receiving federal student loan	52.0% Average amount $5,280	44.0% Average amount $5,154
Students taking out private loans	6.0% Average amount $26,677	5.0% Average amount $28,495

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	9,904 Men 40.8% Women 59.2%	15,747 Men 45.9% Women 54.1%
Graduate students	7,082 Men 34.3% Women 65.7%	12,420 Men 52.1% Women 47.9%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	60.9%	N/A
International students	10.2%	34.0%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	4,749	10,481
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	New York New Jersey California Mississippi Connecticut	New York New Jersey Connecticut California Texas

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Public Administration and Social Service Legal Profession Computer and Information Science Education	Engineering Computer and Information Science Health Professions Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	14:1	15:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	83.2%	90.6%
Dropout rate	6.7%	5.1%
Transferred out	9.9%	3.8%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $146,081 Year 2: $100,690 Year 3: $124,166 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $101,577 Year 2: $113,850 Year 3: $121,893 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $86,586 Year 2: $85,538 Year 3: $98,267 Taxation (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $75,240 Year 2: $81,702 Year 3: $96,920 Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $103,078 Year 3: $95,156 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,465 Year 2: $73,195 Year 3: $87,850 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $68,578 Year 2: $71,575 Year 3: $87,004 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,968 Year 2: $71,351 Year 3: $82,005 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $58,702 Year 2: $79,081 Year 3: $81,526 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,805 Year 2: $58,673 Year 3: $73,993	Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $77,157 Year 2: $102,123 Year 3: $124,358 Taxation (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $103,863 Year 2: $100,518 Year 3: $122,957 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $113,631 Year 2: $110,878 Year 3: $121,357 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $105,065 Year 2: $101,072 Year 3: $110,392 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $95,288 Year 2: $89,413 Year 3: $108,000 Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $86,867 Year 3: $104,196 Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $100,801 Year 2: $89,415 Year 3: $103,529 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $98,777 Year 2: $86,867 Year 3: $102,904 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $88,529 Year 2: $89,564 Year 3: $99,566 Biotechnology (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $79,825 Year 2: $80,556 Year 3: $98,428

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences in location between Northeastern University and Fordham University?

Northeastern University is located in Boston, Massachusetts, offering a vibrant urban experience with access to a wide range of cultural attractions, historical sites, and a thriving job market. Fordham University has two main campuses: Rose Hill in the Bronx, New York City, providing a classic collegiate setting with easy access to Manhattan, and Lincoln Center in Manhattan, offering a more direct immersion in the city's cultural and professional opportunities.
How do the academic programs at Northeastern and Fordham compare?

Both universities offer a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs. Northeastern is particularly well-known for its emphasis on experiential learning, especially its co-op program, which provides students with extensive work experience in their fields. Fordham offers a strong liberal arts foundation with a focus on Jesuit values, and it has notable programs in law, business, and the arts. The specific program strengths vary; research the programs within your field of interest at each university to determine the best fit.
What is the cost of attendance at Northeastern and Fordham?

The cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room, and board, is generally comparable at both universities. However, the exact figures can vary annually. It's essential to check the most recent tuition and financial aid information on each university's website. Both universities offer financial aid packages, including scholarships and grants, to help make education more affordable.
How does the student life experience differ at Northeastern and Fordham?

Northeastern's student life is heavily influenced by its co-op program, which often leads to students spending semesters away from campus. However, the university has a strong campus community with numerous clubs, organizations, and Division I athletics. Fordham offers a more traditional campus experience, particularly at Rose Hill, with a strong sense of community, active student organizations, and a vibrant social scene. The Lincoln Center campus provides a more integrated experience within the city.
How strong are the career services at Northeastern and Fordham?

Both universities provide robust career services. Northeastern's co-op program gives it a significant advantage in terms of career preparation and job placement, as students gain practical experience through their co-ops. Fordham's career services are also excellent, with a strong alumni network and resources to help students find internships and jobs, particularly in the New York City area.
What are the admission requirements for Northeastern and Fordham?

Admission requirements are similar at both universities, including a strong high school transcript, standardized test scores (though test-optional policies may be in place, so check the latest requirements), letters of recommendation, and a personal essay. Both universities are highly selective, so a strong application is crucial. Review the specific requirements on each university's admissions website.
How would you describe the campus culture at Northeastern and Fordham?

Northeastern has a dynamic and diverse campus culture, shaped by its global student body and the constant movement of students through the co-op program. It's a fast-paced environment with a focus on innovation and practical application. Fordham, particularly at Rose Hill, fosters a close-knit community with a strong emphasis on Jesuit values, intellectual inquiry, and social justice. The Lincoln Center campus offers a more urban and arts-focused culture.
Which university is better for a student interested in a specific field, such as engineering or business?

Northeastern is particularly strong in engineering, computer science, and health sciences, due to its co-op program and industry connections. Fordham's Gabelli School of Business is highly regarded, and the university offers strong programs in law, communications, and the arts. Research the specific programs and faculty within your field of interest at each university to determine the best fit for your academic and career goals.
How does the alumni network differ between Northeastern and Fordham?

Both universities have active and supportive alumni networks. Northeastern's network is global, reflecting its diverse student body and the international reach of its co-op program. Fordham's alumni network is particularly strong in the New York City area and in fields such as law, business, and the arts, providing valuable connections for career advancement.
What are the housing options like at Northeastern and Fordham?

Both universities offer on-campus housing for undergraduates. Northeastern has a variety of residence halls, ranging from traditional to suite-style living. Fordham offers a mix of traditional dorms and apartment-style housing, particularly at the Rose Hill campus. Housing availability and costs should be considered when making your decision. Both universities also offer off-campus housing resources.

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