At $25,458/yr net price, The College of New Jersey graduates earn $73,323/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $39,323/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $25,458 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $101,832 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $73,323/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$39,323/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 85.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,814/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,506/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,638/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $28,825/yr |
| $110,001+ | $33,080/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 | $75,946 | $27,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $70,009 | $23,250 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $68,219 | |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $67,660 | $25,725 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $64,581 | $23,894 |
| Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education. | Certificate | $64,493 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $62,632 | $20,586 |
| Engineering Science. | Bachelor | $58,866 | |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $58,568 | $20,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $58,402 | $22,875 |
The Risk Factor
85.2% of students at The College of New Jersey graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
The College of New Jersey pays off for most of you. Median earnings ten years out clear $73,000 against a median debt of $23,250, so you graduate owing less than a third of what you'll make in a single year. The 85% graduation rate and 90% retention matter here because they mean you're likely to actually finish and start earning, not drop out with debt and no degree.
Nursing is the strongest bet on paper, topping the earnings list near $76,000, but it also carries the highest debt at $27,000. Computer and Information Sciences gives you nearly the same payoff with the lowest debt of any top program, making it the cleanest return here. Electrical and computer engineering land in the high $60,000s. Accounting rounds out the top five closer to $64,000, still solid for New Jersey and the nearby Philadelphia and NYC job markets these fields feed into.
The main financial risk is the net price if your family earns over $110,000. At that tier you'll pay more than $33,000 a year, over $130,000 for the degree, and the tables list no earnings data for lower-paying majors. If you're not heading into nursing, computing, engineering, or accounting, run your specific program's numbers before committing at the top price.
The aid math favors lower incomes. Under $30,000, you pay under $13,000 a year, half the sticker net price. Between $48,000 and $75,000 it jumps to roughly $20,600, and above $75,000 the discount thins out fast. This is a strong fit if you're in a technical or health major or your family income keeps net price low. If you're paying the top tier for an undecided or lower-earning path, a cheaper in-state option may return more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The College of New Jersey worth the debt?
With median debt of $23,250 and 10-year earnings of $73,323, TCNJ graduates typically earn enough to manage their loans comfortably. The debt-to-income ratio is reasonable compared to many private colleges.
What are the best paying majors at The College of New Jersey?
Nursing programs lead with $75,946 average earnings, followed by computer science at $70,009 and engineering fields around $67,000-68,000. These technical programs offer strong return on investment.
How does The College of New Jersey's ROI compare to other schools?
TCNJ offers solid middle-tier value with a net price of $25,458 and decent post-graduation earnings. The 85% graduation rate suggests most students complete their degrees, though earnings vary significantly by major.
Is The College of New Jersey affordable for middle-class families?
At $25,458 net price annually, TCNJ costs about what many families expect for in-state public education. Financial aid brings costs down from the sticker price, but middle-income families should still plan for substantial expenses.