Which is better for finance careers: UMD or Fordham?

The biggest practical tradeoff is Fordham’s day-to-day access to New York finance internships and alumni versus Maryland’s larger flagship-university business ecosystem and Washington, D.C.–Baltimore connections. Fordham’s Gabelli School of Business benefits from being in New York City, where students can pursue semester internships, attend firm events, and build relationships with finance professionals during the academic year. UMD’s Robert H. Smith School of Business offers substantial finance coursework, student organizations, and recruiting resources, with particularly useful access to corporate, consulting, government-adjacent, and regional financial employers.

For highly New York-centered paths such as investment banking, equity research, asset management, or wealth management, Fordham can make networking more convenient. That advantage is strongest for students who will actively use it by commuting to internships, joining finance clubs early, and reaching out to alumni.

Maryland can be an excellent finance launchpad, especially through Smith’s scale, broad alumni base, and programs such as finance-focused experiential opportunities. Students there can still reach New York firms, but may need to be more intentional about traveling for events and seeking summer internships. It may also offer substantially better value for a Maryland resident, which matters in a field where undergraduate debt can limit flexibility after graduation.

For a student committed to a New York finance career and able to manage the cost, Fordham has the clearer recruiting-location advantage. For someone who values a larger campus, wider employer options around D.C., or a meaningfully lower net price, UMD is the more sensible choice and can still lead to strong finance outcomes.