Fordham University: A Jesuit Institution in the Heart of New York
Fordham University stands as a distinctive presence in American higher education—a Jesuit institution that has called New York City home since 1841. Founded by Archbishop John Hughes as St. John's College, it was the first Catholic institution of higher learning in the northeastern United States, opening with just six students and two buildings on a 100-acre farm bordering the Bronx River . In 1846, the college was entrusted to the Society of Jesus, beginning a Jesuit tradition that continues to shape its identity today .
Two Campuses, One Fordham
Fordham's defining characteristic is its dual-campus structure, offering students two distinct New York experiences. The Rose Hill campus in the Bronx spans 85 acres of Gothic architecture and green space, home to more than 1,000 trees across 40 species—including an American elm that predates the American Revolution . It is the largest green campus in New York City . Meanwhile, the Lincoln Center campus in Manhattan places students at the cultural crossroads of the city, where the urban landscape serves as a literal extension of the classroom . buy fake USA diploma online.
This "One Fordham" philosophy means that while each campus has its own personality, they share a single faculty, a unified core curriculum, and a commitment to the Jesuit ideal of *cura personalis*—care for the whole person .
Academic Excellence and Jesuit Values
Fordham enrolls approximately 16,800 students across nine schools, with an undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1 and an average class size of 23 . The university is classified as a Doctoral University with High Research Activity, and 94% of full-time faculty hold a Ph.D. or terminal degree .
The Gabelli School of Business has earned particular recognition, ranked 43rd nationally in Bloomberg Businessweek's 2026-27 rankings, with strong connections to finance and consulting industries . Fordham's core curriculum, rooted in the liberal arts, ensures that all students—regardless of major—develop critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and communication skills .
A Community of Changemakers
Fordham's alumni network exceeds 200,000, including figures such as Denzel Washington, who endowed a chair in theater with a $2 million gift, and Alan Alda, both inducted into the University's Hall of Honor . The university offers over 200 student organizations, 21 NCAA Division I sports teams, and more than 100 study abroad programs .
With its rigorous academics, distinctive dual-campus model, and enduring Jesuit mission of educating "people for others," Fordham University offers an education that is both deeply rooted in tradition and dynamically engaged with the world's most global city.
