I’ve narrowed down my colleges to either the Gabelli Business School at Fordham University or the Rutgers Business School at Rutgers. I’m having some trouble choosing and I’d love some outside opinions. Here are the details:
The two schools seem to be rather similar in terms of starting salary, job placement, ideal jobs, on campus recruiting, etc
Fordham is much more expensive ($72,000) than Rutgers ($34,00 - in state). I received the Dean's Scholarship of $25,000 at Fordham and two scholarships totaling $22,000 for Rutgers. That leaves the balance for Fordham at $47,000 and Rutgers at around $11,000. My parents have pledged to help me pay $30,000 per year (which would be a little challenging for them), and my grandmother has about $40,000 total stored away for me in a 529. Given inflation, I would come out with up to $25,000 in debt at Fordham, whereas I would come out debt-free from Rutgers.
I certainly liked the campus of Fordham better than Rutgers
Fordham is a Jesuit school, which is slightly concerning seeing that I identify as an atheist (I'm not sure if this is even a valid concern)
I was accepted to Rutger's new Honors College, which seems pretty cool and offers a few unique advantages, whereas Fordham offered me nothing of the sort
My dad works at Johnson & Johnson (headquarters in New Brunswick) and he could likely get me an internship if I attended Rutgers (J&J is partnered pretty closely with Rutgers)
I suppose what I’m asking is whether the extra $35,000-$40,000 per year is worth it for Fordham as opposed to the dirt cheap tuition to Rutgers (considering the merit scholarships I received). Please feel free to leave me any advice, questions, or things I can elaborate on.
In this case, choose Rutgers. Much cheaper, Honors College, and you don’t have to worry about sticking out for your religious beliefs (or lack thereof).
4 - Fordham has the jesuit core but it's not about pushing beliefs on people like some other religious universities. I'd pick Rutgers because it means no debt which can mean money left over to put towards a graduate degree!
For full disclosure my S went to Fordham - Gabelli and loved it but given the huge price differential in your case Rutgers sounds like the better option.
Rutgers without a doubt! Visited with my DD this week and they have amazing facilities, an outstanding business school and the Honors College looks incredible! With no debt and an internship at J&J…it seems like a no brainer! Good luck and congratulations!
I would say neither given mediocre brands. Go to Baruch and then a very good grad business school if you want to save money. Fordham is way too expensive and not that great or frankly even known. In terms of the religious angle, why should you pay to be preached to when your goal is learning business and you are the paying customer? Here is a list of good schools for IB http://news.efinancialcareers.com/ca-en/114666/the-top-35-business-schools-for-breaking-into-investment-banking/ . Having an undergrad in business is usually not an entry for IB, you will get an analyst position, usually they hire from the Ivies etc. Both programs you mention will limit your ability to get an IB analyst position.
Regarding above post…
The list attached is for MBA programs not undergrad.
The OP has not expressed interest in IB.
The OP has not expressed interest in not has applied to Baruch
FWIW the graduation rate at Baruch is 66% and is approx.80% at Rutgers and Fordham
Don’t bother with Fordham. Social life is garbage, professors are garbage, and you’re going to pay 47K a year to take 3 years of BS core liberal arts courses as a business student that won’t help you with anything in the job/real world. Core business classes are EXTREMELY generalized and don’t do much other than damage your GPA.
I’m about to graduate from Fordham in 3 weeks, have worked for ML, Morgan Stanley, and a few start ups. Sure some people might have an unfounded belief that “Fordham is a good school” but I’ve never used anything I’ve learned over the past 4 years in any position I’ve had.
I’m on track to make over 6 figures only because of slaving away at various companies since Sophmore year, no thanks to anything relating to Fordham except for maybe my access to their job boards.
Save your money and go to Rutgers.
PS. Don’t believe the IB fanboys when you get wherever you choose to go, there are plenty of other positions that pay similarly and you won’t need to break your back in your early 20s for.
We asked Fordham for more money, and they decided to give us another $12,000 a year. That’s a pretty big deal and means I could come out either debt free or practically debt free, but it might put a bit of a strain on my parents (they say that its what they can afford, but $30,000 a year is still a lot of money).
They told me this today and it also happens to be decision day, so any quick help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!