At $11,732/yr net price, New Jersey City University graduates earn $52,745/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $18,745/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $11,732 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $46,928 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $52,745/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$18,745/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 38.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $18,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,254/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,051/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,160/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,986/yr |
| $110,001+ | $17,431/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $77,087 | $12,500 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Master | $75,204 | |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | Master | $71,015 | $36,746 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $68,079 | $28,404 |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design. | Master | $65,320 | $41,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $63,749 | $34,962 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $58,479 | $25,465 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $57,318 | $41,971 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $57,318 | |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $56,776 | $33,271 |
The Risk Factor
38.7% of students at New Jersey City University graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
New Jersey City University gives you a low net price and low debt, but a weak degree completion record drags the whole picture down. At under $12,000 a year with a median debt of $18,500, the cost is manageable. The problem is that fewer than 4 in 10 students graduate, and only two-thirds come back for a second year. If you leave with debt and no degree, none of the affordability matters.
Nursing is the clear winner here. It pays about $77,000 ten years out while leaving you with the lowest debt of any top program at the school, around $12,500. Nothing else comes close. Finance and accounting land near $44,000 to $48,000 but pile on more debt, over $20,000 for finance. Computer and information sciences pays under $43,000, low for a tech field in the New York metro job market this school sits inside. If you want the strongest return, nursing is the reason to enroll.
The financial risk is completion, not cost. Jersey City puts you next to New York's job market, which helps the finance and accounting paths, but you only capture that if you finish. A 38.7% grad rate means the odds are against you.
The net price tiers are unusual. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay about $10,000 a year, close to the sticker figure. Families over $110,000 pay around $17,400. The gap between income brackets is smaller than at many schools, so aid does not scale much with need above the lowest tiers.
This school fits you if you are committed to nursing and want low debt. If you are undecided or drawn to computer science expecting metro-area pay, look harder at the numbers before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New Jersey City University worth the cost?
With a net price of $11,732 and median earnings of $52,745 ten years after graduation, NJCU offers reasonable value for the cost. However, the 39% graduation rate means many students don't finish, which significantly hurts ROI.
What are the best paying programs at New Jersey City University?
Nursing programs lead with graduates earning $77,087, followed by finance at $75,204. These programs justify the investment, while other majors may struggle to provide strong returns given the school's overall graduate earnings.
How much debt do New Jersey City University graduates have?
The median debt is $18,500, which is manageable compared to national averages. With typical graduate earnings around $52,745, most students can handle this debt load if they actually graduate.
Does New Jersey City University have a good graduation rate?
No, only 39% of students graduate, which is well below national averages. This low completion rate is the biggest risk factor for ROI, as students who don't finish get debt without the degree.