Fordham vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

Compare Fordham University in Bronx, NY with Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fordham University is larger than Vassar based on total student enrollment (16,150 students vs. 2,462 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fordham University is located in Bronx, NY (Large City setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Fordham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fordham University 14:1; Vassar College 7:1.

Fordham vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fordham or Vassar? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Vassar College than Fordham ($29,981 vs. $48,190).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vassar College are 24.3% lower than at Fordham University ($18,240 vs. $24,090).
• Vassar College is 9.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fordham (about $6,115 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $64,915.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.4% higher at Vassar than at Fordham University (about $6,115 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $64,915.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fordham University than at Vassar College (95% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 59.6% larger than aid received by Fordham University students ($57,443 vs. $35,988).

Fordham vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fordham or Vassar? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Vassar and Fordham.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vassar College (1500) is 100 points higher than at Fordham (1400).
• Incoming Vassar students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Fordham).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fordham University 1320/1480; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fordham University 30/33; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fordham - Test optional; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fordham Jan 1, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Vassar students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Fordham (3.67).
• Fordham has a higher acceptance rate (59.3%) than Vassar (18.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.7% at Fordham vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

Fordham vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fordham and Vassar? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Vassar College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Fordham University's (78%).
• Graduates from Fordham University earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than Vassar graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,200 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $10,220 lower median loan debt than Fordham graduates ($15,780 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $105 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fordham graduates ($163 vs. $268).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fordham students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 77%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.