Fordham University SAT & ACT Scores
Fordham does not require the SAT or ACT for fall 2027 entry, and most students in its newest class enrolled without sending scores. Among enrolled students in the fall 2026 entering class who did submit, the middle 50% scored 1355–1470 on the SAT and 31–34 on the ACT. Fordham University admitted 47.2% of 53,599 completed applications for that class.
Where does your score land?
Compared with Fordham University's enrolled first-years, fall 2026 entering class.
Is Fordham University test-optional?
The rule for students applying now, for fall 2027 entry.
Fordham is test-optional: first-year applicants choose on the Common Application whether their SAT or ACT scores are considered, and those who apply without scores are not penalized; international applicants whose first language is not English still need an English proficiency test or a waiver.
Superscoring. Fordham University superscores the SAT and the ACT.
Checked October 29, 2026 on Fordham University's admissions site . Policies can change each cycle.
Policy timeline
- Fall 2021 entryTest-optional policy begins
- Fall 2027 applicantsTest-optional
Fordham has been test-optional since its fall 2021 entering class, and its admission office has said it will keep the policy. On the Common Application, you choose whether Fordham should consider your scores. If you opt in, your application stays incomplete until scores arrive, either imported from the Common App or self-reported in your applicant portal. You can change your testing choice or add self-reported scores for a few weeks after each application deadline. If you take the same test more than once, Fordham superscores the results. Students who enroll after self-reporting must send official scores within three weeks of their deposit. Scores are not needed for merit scholarships or honors programs, and applicants who don't submit are not penalized. The policy does not cover English proficiency tests, which international students whose first language is not English still need.
Fordham University SAT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1355–1470.
SAT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2026 entering class| SAT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 1355 | — | 1470 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students (Class of 2030) who submitted scores; 70.1% of enrolled students did not submit testing, fall 2026 entering class. Source: Fordham Undergraduate Admission Facts (Class of 2030 profile).
What your SAT means here
Among students who enrolled in the fall 2026 entering class and submitted the SAT, the middle 50% scored 1355–1470. A quarter scored 1355 or below, and a quarter scored 1470 or above. Fordham's profile does not list a median or separate section ranges.
Most of the class enrolled without test scores, so this range describes the smaller group that chose to submit. Fordham says it reads submitted scores against the middle 50% range in its most recent class profile, as well as against your transcript and your school's context.
That makes the range a useful guide. A superscore at or above 1355 falls inside the range Fordham compares against, and one at 1470 or higher is in the top quarter of enrolled submitters. If your score is well below 1355, applying without scores is the common choice at Fordham, and the admission office says those applicants are not penalized.
Take full-length Digital SAT practice tests free, with an explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
Fordham University ACT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 31–34 on the ACT.
ACT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2026 entering class| ACT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 31 | — | 34 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students (Class of 2030) who submitted scores; 70.1% of enrolled students did not submit testing, fall 2026 entering class. Source: Fordham Undergraduate Admission Facts (Class of 2030 profile).
What your ACT means here
For enrolled students in the fall 2026 entering class who submitted the ACT, the middle 50% composite was 31–34. A quarter scored 31 or lower, and a quarter scored 34 or higher. Fordham's profile does not list a median or section scores for the ACT.
Fordham superscores the ACT as well, and it will combine sections from tests taken before and after the September 2025 change to the ACT composite. Optional sections, such as ACT Science and ACT Writing, are your choice, and leaving them off does not count against you. A composite at 34 is at the top of the range.
Take full-length ACT practice tests free, with a worked explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
Fordham University acceptance rate
Moderately competitive: 47.2% of first-year applicants were admitted (fall 2026 entering class).
Each dot is 1 in 100 applicants.
- First-year applicants53,599
- Admitted25,300
- Acceptance rate47.2%
- Testing for fall 2027Test-optional
Early application plans: Early Action (non-binding) and Early Decision I (binding), both due November 1; Regular Decision and Early Decision II (binding), both due January 3.
Fall 2026 entering class. Source: Fordham Undergraduate Admission Facts (Class of 2030 profile).
Fordham offers four first-year plans. Early Action is non-binding and Early Decision I is binding; both are due in early November, with decisions in December. Regular Decision and the binding Early Decision II are due in early January; Early Decision II decisions arrive in February and Regular Decision decisions by early April. Applicants to the Theatre major or the Ailey/Fordham BFA in Dance must apply Early Action.
What to aim for
If you plan to send scores to Fordham for fall 2027, aim for an SAT superscore of 1470 or higher or an ACT composite of 34 or higher. Scores inside 1355–1470 or 31–34 are in line with recent enrolled submitters. Fordham encourages you to submit scores if you believe they represent your abilities; if they don't, you can apply without them.
Fordham's review is holistic, and your high school transcript is the main academic record it reads scores against. You also choose a campus, Rose Hill or Lincoln Center, and a college when you apply, and Fordham evaluates you for the campus and college you pick. Early Action and Early Decision I applicants hear in December, but Early Decision is binding, so use it only if Fordham is your clear first choice.
How Fordham University compares
Schools with a similar acceptance rate.
| School | Admit rate | Median SAT | SAT middle 50% | ACT middle 50% | Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Central Florida | 42.8% | 1280 | 1220–1350 | 25–30 | Required |
| Purdue University | 43.4% | 1360 | 1220–1470 | 28–34 | Required |
| University of California - Davis | 44.3% | — | — | — | Test-blind |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 45% | 1470 | 1410–1520 | 32–35 | Test-optional |
| Fordham University | 47.2% | — | 1355–1470 | 31–34 | Test-optional |
| The Ohio State University | 49.2% | 1380 | 1300–1440 | 27–32 | Required |
Frequently asked questions
Is Fordham University test-optional?
For students applying for fall 2027 entry: Fordham is test-optional: first-year applicants choose on the Common Application whether their SAT or ACT scores are considered, and those who apply without scores are not penalized; international applicants whose first language is not English still need an English proficiency test or a waiver. Fordham University superscores the SAT and the ACT.
What SAT score do you need for Fordham University?
A score at or above 1470 puts you in the top quarter of Fordham University's enrolled first-years, and 1355–1470 is the middle 50% (fall 2026 entering class). Because the school is test-optional, those ranges come only from students who chose to submit.
What ACT score do you need for Fordham University?
Fordham University's enrolled first-years had a middle-50% ACT composite of 31–34 (fall 2026 entering class). A 34 or above puts you in the top quarter.
What is Fordham University's acceptance rate?
Fordham University admitted 47.2% of first-year applicants for the fall 2026 entering class (25,300 of 53,599), which makes it moderately competitive.
What are your chances at Fordham University?
Scores are one part. Add your GPA, courses, activities and recommendations for a free reach, target or likely estimate.