Students at New Jersey City University earn substantially more than similar students at other institutions, with graduates seeing approximately $18,300 in earnings beyond expectations.
This exceptional earnings advantage, combined with broad accessibility for first-generation and Pell-eligible students, makes NJCU a proven pathway to economic mobility.
New Jersey City University delivers exceptional value for students seeking economic mobility and educational access. As a medium-sized public university in New Jersey, NJCU serves a highly diverse student body where over half receive Pell Grants and more than 53% are first-generation college students. Despite this broad accessibility, the university consistently helps students achieve meaningful economic advancement, earning recognition as a "Mobility Engine" institution.
What makes NJCU particularly compelling is its ability to transform access into real outcomes. Graduates earn a median of $52,745 ten years after enrollment, with the university delivering earnings beyond expectations of approximately $18,300 compared with similar students at other institutions. This represents one of the strongest earnings advantages among accessible public universities, demonstrating that NJCU doesn't just open doors—it helps students walk through them successfully.
The university's strength lies in combining affordability with results. Low-income students pay just $10,254 annually, well below national averages, while still accessing programs that lead to solid career outcomes. With strong performance in nursing, business, and other professional fields, NJCU provides the practical education and support systems that help diverse students build stable, well-paying careers in the competitive New York metropolitan area job market.
New Jersey City University's program portfolio reflects its mission of providing practical, career-focused education that leads to stable employment. The standout program is Adult Health Nursing, which combines substantial enrollment of 155 graduates with exceptional earnings of $77,087, making it the university's primary economic engine. This program's success reflects both the high demand for healthcare professionals in the New York metropolitan area and NJCU's strong clinical partnerships with regional medical facilities.
Psychology represents the university's largest program with 144 graduates, though earnings are more modest at $33,281, typical for this foundational field that often serves as preparation for graduate study or diverse career paths in social services, education, and business. Banking and Financial Support Services, with 68 graduates earning $48,139, demonstrates solid outcomes in business fields and reflects the university's proximity to New York's financial sector.
The program mix shows NJCU's focus on professional preparation rather than purely academic disciplines. While Biology graduates earn $29,141—the lowest among top programs—many use this degree as preparation for healthcare or graduate programs. The university's strength lies in programs that provide direct pathways to employment, particularly in healthcare and business fields where regional demand remains strong and graduates can leverage the competitive advantages of the New York metropolitan job market.
New Jersey City University graduates achieve solid long-term earnings that consistently exceed expectations. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $52,745, with the university delivering approximately $18,300 in earnings beyond expectations compared with similar students at other institutions. This substantial earnings advantage reflects NJCU's ability to prepare students for success in the competitive New York metropolitan job market, where graduates benefit from proximity to diverse industries and employers.
The university's strongest returns come from its nursing program, which graduates 155 students annually with median earnings of $77,087—reflecting both the high demand for healthcare professionals and NJCU's strong clinical training partnerships. Psychology remains the largest program with 144 graduates, though earnings are more modest at $33,281, typical for this foundational field that often leads to graduate study or diverse career paths. Banking and Financial Support Services graduates earn $48,139, demonstrating solid outcomes in business fields, while Biology graduates at $29,141 represent the lower end of the earnings spectrum but often pursue advanced degrees in healthcare or research.
The university's location in Jersey City provides graduates access to both New York City's financial and healthcare sectors and New Jersey's growing business landscape. This geographic advantage helps explain why NJCU graduates consistently outperform earnings expectations, as they can access high-paying metropolitan opportunities while often benefiting from New Jersey's relatively moderate cost of living compared to Manhattan.
New Jersey City University offers strong affordability across all income levels, making quality higher education accessible to diverse families. Low-income students pay approximately $10,254 annually, significantly below national averages for public universities, while middle-income families face costs around $13,160 per year. Even high-income families pay a reasonable $17,431, creating predictable pricing that helps families plan effectively for a four-year degree.
The university's debt structure remains manageable for most graduates. Typical federal student loan debt is $18,500, a moderate level that aligns well with NJCU's solid earnings outcomes. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $13,103, reflecting the university's success in keeping family borrowing at sustainable levels. With a 0% federal loan default rate, NJCU demonstrates that its graduates can successfully manage their educational investments.
What makes NJCU particularly sustainable financially is the combination of reasonable upfront costs and strong earnings outcomes. The university's ability to deliver earnings beyond expectations of approximately $18,300 means that graduates typically see their educational investment pay off relatively quickly. This creates a positive cycle where affordable access leads to strong outcomes, making the degree both accessible and valuable for families across the economic spectrum.
New Jersey City University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
