Students at Drew University achieve earnings that place the institution in the top quarter nationally, reflecting the value of personalized liberal arts education in competitive career markets.
Graduates consistently outperform expectations, particularly those from low-income backgrounds who benefit from Drew's intensive mentoring and strong alumni networks.
Drew University ranks among the top quarter of institutions nationally for long-term earnings, delivering strong financial outcomes through its intimate liberal arts model. Located in Madison, New Jersey, this small private university serves about 1,400 students with a highly personalized educational experience that translates into meaningful career success. Nearly three-quarters of students graduate within six years, and those who do earn a median of $63,646 ten years after enrollment.
What makes Drew distinctive is how it combines the benefits of a small liberal arts college with the earning power typically associated with larger research universities. The university maintains selectivity while serving a meaningful share of first-generation students, and graduates consistently outperform many peers in long-term financial outcomes. Drew's location in the New York metropolitan area provides access to internships and career opportunities that complement its strong academic foundation.
As a "Selective Achievers" institution, Drew demonstrates that small liberal arts colleges can deliver both academic excellence and financial value. The university's combination of personalized education, strong graduation rates, and above-average earnings makes it a compelling choice for families seeking a traditional college experience with modern career outcomes.
Drew University's program portfolio reflects the strengths of a liberal arts education with particular excellence in business and economics fields. Business Administration and Management serves as the university's flagship program, combining high enrollment with solid financial returns and representing Drew's largest pathway into professional careers. With 59 graduates earning a median of $47,260, this program demonstrates how liberal arts institutions can successfully prepare students for business careers while maintaining the critical thinking and communication skills that employers value.
Applied Economics stands out for delivering some of Drew's highest individual earnings at $55,512 for its 23 graduates, showing how specialized programs within the liberal arts framework can provide substantial financial returns. Psychology, while showing more modest early earnings at $29,685, represents Drew's commitment to foundational liberal arts disciplines that often lead to graduate study or careers requiring additional experience for higher compensation.
The university's small scale means that even programs with modest enrollment can provide intensive mentoring and networking opportunities. Drew's location in the New York metropolitan area enhances the value of all programs by providing access to internships, alumni networks, and career opportunities that complement classroom learning. This combination of personalized education and metropolitan access helps explain why Drew graduates across various fields achieve earnings that place the university in the top quarter nationally.
Drew University graduates achieve strong long-term financial outcomes that place the institution in the top quarter nationally for earnings. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $63,646, reflecting the value of Drew's liberal arts education in preparing students for diverse career paths. The university's small size allows for intensive mentoring and networking opportunities that often translate into career advantages, particularly in the competitive New York metropolitan job market.
Program-level outcomes vary meaningfully by field of study. Business Administration and Management stands out as both the highest aggregate return major and one of the largest programs, with 59 graduates earning a median of $47,260 early in their careers. Applied Economics delivers some of the strongest individual earnings at $55,512 for its 23 graduates, demonstrating how specialized programs can provide substantial financial returns. Psychology, while Drew's second-largest program with 38 graduates, shows more modest early earnings at $29,685, typical for a field that often requires additional education or experience for higher compensation.
The university's proximity to New York City creates opportunities for internships and entry-level positions that can accelerate career growth, particularly for students in business, economics, and other professional fields. Drew's alumni network, while smaller than that of large universities, tends to be highly engaged and well-positioned in key metropolitan markets, providing valuable career connections for recent graduates.
Drew University's affordability profile reflects its position as a selective private liberal arts college, with net prices that vary significantly by family income level. Low-income students pay approximately $13,177 annually after aid, a relatively manageable amount that makes Drew accessible to Pell-eligible families. Middle-income families face higher costs at around $19,926 per year, while high-income families pay about $34,219 annually, reflecting the institution's full cost of attendance.
The university's financial aid strategy focuses heavily on making education accessible to lower-income students while expecting higher-income families to contribute more substantially. This approach allows Drew to maintain its educational quality while serving a diverse student body that includes about 27% Pell Grant recipients and nearly 25% first-generation college students. The aid structure demonstrates Drew's commitment to economic diversity within its selective admissions framework.
For families considering Drew, the key affordability question centers on whether the premium for small class sizes, personalized attention, and strong alumni networks justifies the higher costs compared to public alternatives. The university's strong graduation rates and solid long-term earnings suggest that most students who enroll do complete their degrees and achieve financial outcomes that support their investment in a Drew education.
Drew University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
