Compare 8 Public Finance. programs in New Jersey. Average earnings: $71,555.
The highest-earning Public Finance program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $25K earnings gap across 8 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Rutgers University-New Brunswick's Public Finance program leads with graduates earning $86,111, well above the state average of $71,555. Fairleigh Dickinson follows at $76,708, while Seton Hall reaches $76,566—proving that program quality varies independently of overall school rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Rutgers graduates borrow $21,500 and face just a 4.6% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income.
Highest program earnings: $86,111
Strong outcomes with 65% acceptance
4.6% payment burden | Excellent
10.9% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $86,111 | 354 | $21,500 | Excellent | $25,294 | Good | |
| #2 | $76,708 | 25 | $25,000 | Excellent | $30,444 | Manageable | |
| #3 | Seton Hall UniversityPrivate | $76,566 | 150 | $22,750 | Excellent | $40,003 | Manageable |
| #4 | Rowan UniversityPublic | $72,102 | 162 | $20,500 | Excellent | $27,445 | Manageable |
| #5 | Rider UniversityPrivate | $69,827 | 37 | $26,130 | Excellent | $44,670 | Challenging |
| #6 | $65,568 | 85 | $22,334 | Excellent | $20,000 | Manageable | |
| #7 | $64,961 | 68 | $18,500 | Excellent | $13,884 | Good | |
| #8 | Kean UniversityPublic | $60,594 | 66 | $23,250 | Good | $22,000 | Manageable |
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 →
