Is Drexel or Fordham better for finance careers?

Fordham has the edge for finance careers, especially if your goal is the strongest path into internships and first jobs tied to New York finance. Its Gabelli School of Business has a more established reputation in finance circles, and being based in New York gives students direct access to banks, asset managers, and alumni during the school year. That proximity matters because many finance internships convert into full-time roles, and Fordham students can pursue them without needing a co-op structure.

Location is the biggest differentiator. Fordham puts you in the same market where a huge share of finance recruiting happens, so networking events, informational interviews, semester internships, and alumni connections are easier to build into your normal routine. For a field that still relies heavily on relationship-building and timing, being in New York is a real practical advantage.

Program structure is where Drexel makes its best case. Drexel’s co-op model is excellent for gaining substantial work experience before graduation, and that can be very valuable for finance-related roles in corporate finance, operations, fintech, and regional firms. The tradeoff is that Philadelphia offers a smaller finance ecosystem than New York, so the highest-volume pipeline into traditional front-office finance is not as naturally embedded.