Compare 9 General Studies. programs in New Jersey. Average earnings: $47,234.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, General Studies tells a different story. Across 9 programs in New Jersey, earnings range from $32,988 to $57,533—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Seton Hall University's General Studies program leads with graduates earning $57,533, significantly above the state average of $47,234. Stockton University follows at $52,751, while Rider University rounds out the top three at $51,305—demonstrating that program outcomes vary independently of institutional prestige.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Seton Hall graduates borrow $22,750 and face just a 8.9% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. However, when parent loans are included, Stockton leads with a 21.4% family burden compared to Seton Hall's 27.0%—proof that the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Seton Hall UniversityPrivate | $57,533 | 126 | $22,750 | Good | $40,003 | High |
| #2 | Stockton UniversityPublic | $52,751 | 111 | $20,500 | Good | $23,182 | Challenging |
| #3 | Rider UniversityPrivate | $51,305 | 20 | $26,130 | Manageable | $44,670 | High |
| #4 | $50,014 | 78 | $22,334 | Good | $20,000 | Challenging | |
| #5 | Rowan UniversityPublic | $49,750 | 193 | $20,500 | Good | $27,445 | High |
| #6 | $47,240 | 350 | $25,000 | Manageable | $30,444 | High | |
| #7 | $43,121 | 48 | $22,000 | Manageable | $24,693 | High | |
| #8 | $40,401 | 24 | $21,500 | Manageable | $25,294 | High | |
| #9 | Centenary UniversityPrivate | $32,988 | 17 | $23,163 | High | $22,725 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
