Fordham University
Fordham University is a private Jesuit research university in New York City serving approximately 17,000 undergraduate and graduate students across four campuses, offering liberal arts and professional degrees with a guaranteed internship experience. Revenue comes primarily from tuition, auxiliary services, and a $1B+ endowment.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1841
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Fordham University does
Fordham University is a private Jesuit research university founded in 1841 (originally as St. John's College) operating across four campuses — Rose Hill in the Bronx, Lincoln Center in Manhattan, Westchester in West Harrison, NY, and a London Centre in Clerkenwell. It serves approximately 17,000 students across undergraduate colleges (Fordham College at Rose Hill, Fordham College at Lincoln Center, Gabelli School of Business) and graduate schools (Arts and Sciences, Education, Law, Social Service, Business, Professional and Continuing Studies), with 18% of students being first-generation college students and a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Core academic products include the Fordham Internship Promise (guaranteeing experiential learning with a 96% job placement rate), specialized centers such as the NSA-designated Center for Cybersecurity / Cyber AI, the Louis Calder Center biological field station, and the LITE (Learning and Innovation Technology Environment) for emerging educational technology.
The business model is multi-stream: tuition and fees are the primary revenue source (average net tuition ~$29,000 for first-time undergraduates in 2023–24 after an average $34,000 aid package, with 96% of first-years receiving aid totaling $281M), supplemented by auxiliary services (housing, dining, athletics), philanthropic donations and grants (over $1B raised under prior president McShane's tenure, including a $500K Santander US grant in late 2025), and an endowment exceeding $1B. International students, who must demonstrate ability to fund at least $35,000/year, are recruited globally through regional counselors and consulting partner Acumen (Sannam S4) in South Asia. Distribution is via direct enrollment (Common Application, campus visits, online learning via Blackboard LMS, virtual tours) and B2B-style corporate/institutional partnerships (AMDA transfer pathway, UCL research collaboration, Hacker Rangers student consulting). Technology infrastructure relies on Google Workspace for Education, Microsoft 365, Blackboard LMS, ServiceNow ITSM, Hyland OnBase, Panopto, and Zoom, while the AI for the Greater Good initiative represents the institution's strategic positioning around ethical AI literacy.
Fordham University firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Fordham University
- Legal name
- Fordham University
- Website
- https://fordham.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1841
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Fordham University is a private Jesuit research university in New York City serving approximately 17,000 undergraduate and graduate students across four campuses, offering liberal arts and professional degrees with a guaranteed internship experience. Revenue comes primarily from tuition, auxiliary services, and a $1B+ endowment.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Fordham University industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- STEM-Focused Research Universities (Engineering & Applied Sciences) (EDAHABAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA), Undergraduate Teacher Education Colleges (EDAHAFAA)
Keywords
Where Fordham University is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Fordham University business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Tuition and fees: Fordham generates primary revenue from undergraduate and graduate tuition and fees. For 2023-2024, the average net tuition price for first-time undergraduates was approximately $29,000 after financial aid. International students must demonstrate ability to fund at least $35,000 per year. The university offers merit scholarships up to $25,000 for international applicants and need-based aid awards ranging from a few thousand to full tuition.
- Grants and donations: Fordham receives grants from external organizations (e.g., $500,000 from Santander US for experiential learning programs) and relies on philanthropic donations, including $1 billion raised during President McShane's tenure.
- Auxiliary services: Revenue from housing, dining, athletics, and other campus services. Student employment office placed over 1,300 students in on-campus jobs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Average net tuition for first-time undergraduates (2023-2024) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
Fordham University product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Fordham University is a private Jesuit university delivering undergraduate and graduate degree programs across multiple schools at campuses in the Bronx (Rose Hill), Manhattan (Lincoln Center), Westchester, and London. Core offerings include liberal arts undergraduate degrees at Fordham College at Rose Hill and Fordham College at Lincoln Center, business degrees at the Gabelli School of Business, and graduate degrees in Arts and Sciences, Education, Law, and Social Service, plus continuing studies through the School of Professional and Continuing Studies. The educational product is anchored by the Fordham Internship Promise guaranteeing every undergraduate at least one internship or faculty-mentored research experience before graduation.
Product overview
Fordham University is a Jesuit university in New York City offering a comprehensive portfolio of academic products and services across multiple undergraduate and graduate schools. Its core educational products span Fordham College at Rose Hill (residential Bronx campus), Fordham College at Lincoln Center (Manhattan campus), the Gabelli School of Business, and graduate schools in Arts and Sciences, Education, Law, and Social Service, supplemented by the School of Professional and Continuing Studies. The Fordham Internship Promise serves as a key experiential learning product, guaranteeing all undergraduates an internship or research experience, with a documented 96% job placement rate. Fordham also offers specialized research centers including the NSA-designated Center for Cybersecurity (one of seven National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber AI), the Louis Calder Center biological field station, and the LITE technology learning environment with XR and Makerspace capabilities. Additional products include the Student Consulting Program, WFUV public radio, Fordham University Press, and the annual Fordham Forecast trends report.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Fordham College at Rose Hill
Quantifiable outcome
- 94% of the Class of 2024 was employed, continuing education, or engaged in public service within six months of graduation.
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Fordham University
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Fordham University technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability4 records
Feature1 record
Fordham University partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- University College London (UCL)minorProfessor Ioannis Lianos of UCL Laws received UKRI AHRC BRAID award for the INSICOL project — a 16-month cross-national research initiative starting January 2026. Fordham University is a collaborator alongside MIT and NYU. The project uses LLMs and AI-based simulations to compare how the UK, US, and EU address competition risks from AI and digital platforms.
- AMDA College of the Performing ArtscoreAMDA certificate graduates can transfer to Fordham's School of Professional and Continuing Studies and earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2-3 additional semesters. Eligible students can pursue programs including Entertainment Business for the Performer, Psychology for the Performing Artist, and Public Relations for Entertainment, with enrollment beginning January 2026. Partnership is based in New York City.
- Hacker RangersminorFordham University students collaborated with Hacker Rangers, a cybersecurity awareness company, through Fordham's Student Consulting Program. Students served as consulting partners providing insights and strategic direction, investigating Hacker Rangers' operations and evaluating strategies for international market expansion, focusing on how gamification can enhance security awareness.
- Acumen (Sannam S4 Group)minorAcumen, part of the Sannam S4 Group and Fordham's consulting partner in India, supports students from South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal) applying to Fordham. They provide application guidance and support students through the admissions process.
Scale indicators20 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Fordham University competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Boston College: Jesuit research university in the Northeast with residential liberal arts colleges and graduate schools. Most directly comparable on Jesuit mission, Catholic identity, and U.S. Northeast student profile.
- Georgetown University: Top-tier Jesuit research university in a major U.S. city with comparable college-plus-professional-schools structure, similar brand prestige positioning, and overlapping federal/government employer networks.
- Santa Clara University: Jesuit research university with comparable college structure, Jesuit mission emphasis, graduate business and law programs, and similar scale of student body and endowment.
- Villanova University: Mid-Atlantic Augustinian (close to Jesuit tradition) research university with similar undergraduate college-plus-professional school structure, NCAA Division I athletics, and comparable selectivity profile.
- New York University: Largest private university in NYC with similar undergraduate colleges, graduate schools, and deep employer relationships in NYC. Directly comparable on student experience, urban campus model, and tuition-discounting economics.
- Marquette University: Mid-sized Jesuit research university with similar mix of undergraduate colleges, graduate/professional schools, NCAA Division I athletics, and comparable financial aid and fundraising scale.
- University of Notre Dame: Premier U.S. Catholic/Jesuit-adjacent research university with comparable undergraduate colleges, graduate programs, athletics prominence, and large financial aid commitment. Benchmark for aspirational positioning.
Regional players
- The New School: NYC private university with urban campus model and emphasis on professional/experiential learning. Competes for similar NYC-based, professionally-oriented prospective students.
- Pace University: NYC-based private university with comparable undergraduate and graduate programs and downtown/NYC employer pipeline. Direct competitor for NYC students but without Jesuit identity or research profile.
Broad incumbents
- Columbia University: NYC-based Ivy League research university with overlapping undergraduate and graduate schools. While at a much higher prestige and resource tier, Columbia competes with Fordham for the same NYC student talent pool and employer relationships.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Fordham University social profiles
Digital presenceFordham University compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Fordham University financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Fordham University leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Fordham University subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Fordham University funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Fordham University M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Fordham University
What does Fordham University do?
Fordham University is a private Jesuit university delivering undergraduate and graduate degree programs across multiple schools at campuses in the Bronx (Rose Hill), Manhattan (Lincoln Center), Westchester, and London. Core offerings include liberal arts undergraduate degrees at Fordham College at Rose Hill and Fordham College at Lincoln Center, business degrees at the Gabelli School of Business, and graduate degrees in Arts and Sciences, Education, Law, and Social Service, plus continuing studies through the School of Professional and Continuing Studies. The educational product is anchored by the Fordham Internship Promise guaranteeing every undergraduate at least one internship or faculty-mentored research experience before graduation.
Is Fordham University a public or private company?
Fordham University is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Fordham University founded?
Fordham University was founded in 1841. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Fordham University based?
Fordham University is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Fordham University make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Tuition and fees are the primary driver. The others are grants and donations and auxiliary services.
Who are Fordham University's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Boston College, Georgetown University, Santa Clara University, Villanova University, New York University, Marquette University and University of Notre Dame. Regional players are The New School and Pace University. Columbia University is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Fordham University have an API?
No public API is recorded for Fordham University.
What industry is Fordham University in?
Fordham University's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHABAB, STEM-Focused Research Universities (Engineering & Applied Sciences), with a secondary code of EDAAAEAA, University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs. Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.