On Aug. 25, Fordham welcomed the most diverse class of students ever to attend the University, a reflection of its historical efforts to open its doors to academically talented students from any and all backgrounds. More than one-quarter of incoming first-year students are first-generation college students. Fully half, 50%, are students of color—the highest percentage in Fordham history.
An additional 8% are international students. This is the third-largest class ever admitted to Fordham, with more than 2,500 students enrolled as of Monday, Aug. 26.
“With the Class of 2028, Fordham did as it always has done: admitted a group of students whose academic drive and diversity of experience make for an enriching learning environment—one in which all students feel a sense of belonging and support,” said Patricia Peek, Ph.D., associate vice president and dean of undergraduate admission at Fordham.
“It’s wonderful to be able to welcome these students we’ve worked with for such a long time through the admissions process,” she said. “We’re excited to bring them into the Fordham community and to see what they’ll contribute and achieve here.”
A Tradition of Serving First-Generation Students
First-generation students are 27% of the entering class (up from 24% last year), the most in Fordham’s history—a number that resonates with Fordham’s legacy of welcoming students who were first in their families to attend college.
“I’m proud to see that Fordham continues to carry on the legacy of its founder, Archbishop John Hughes, who wanted nothing more than to provide opportunity to struggling Irish immigrants who were unwelcome in the 19th-century school system in New York City, helping them gain a foothold in America,” said Tania Tetlow, president of Fordham University.
Last year’s U.S. Supreme Court decision banning affirmative action has created uncertainty in university admissions across the nation, noted John W. Buckley, Fordham’s vice president for undergraduate enrollment.
“This ruling has been unsettling for higher education generally, but Fordham has always pursued strategies that foster diversity at the University,” he said. “A key part of our strategy is recruiting from a wide range of high schools, public and private, to ensure that every entering class comprises the widest possible variety of exceptional students.”
Black and Hispanic students account for nearly 7% and 26% of the incoming class, respectively, he said. The number of students from each group has increased substantially compared with last year’s entering class. The number of Black students is 26% higher, and the number of Hispanic students is 28% higher.
A Diverse Class of Exceptional Students
Other figures attest to the class’s academic strength and diversity:
The class has an average SAT/ACT score of 1404. The average high school GPA was 3.64 on a 4.0 scale.
Students came from 55 countries, 46 states, the District of Columbia, and three U.S. territories. Beyond the tristate area of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, the three states that sent the most students were California, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.
Nearly 600 students represent New York City’s five boroughs, including a 32% year-over-year increase in students from the Bronx and an 11% increase in students from Manhattan, boroughs where Fordham’s Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses are located.
Fordham’s international student population also continues to grow year over year. The increase of students coming from Canada and India is notable, Peek said—each country sent twice as many students to Fordham compared to last year.
“We’re thrilled to welcome the Class of 2028!” Buckley said. “We look forward to seeing the impact you make here at Fordham and out in the world.”
High school students and their families seeking to learn more about Fordham are encouraged to connect with the University’s Office of Undergraduate Admission. The University offers numerous opportunities to visit campus or attend virtual information sessions to experience Fordham firsthand.
Note: Data are current as of Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. The final entering class is typically set by late September.
