Compare 7 Sports Studies. programs in New Jersey. Average earnings: $45,386.
With top graduates earning $59,290, Sports Studies stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $14K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Rutgers University-New Brunswick's Sports Studies program leads with graduates earning $59,290, well above the $45,386 average across New Jersey's 7 programs. Seton Hall follows closely at $58,423, while William Paterson delivers $51,866—demonstrating that program outcomes vary significantly even within the same state.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Rutgers graduates borrow $21,500 and face just an 8.0% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. That means loan payments take a manageable bite out of their post-grad income, making strong outcomes affordable.
Highest program earnings: $59,290
Strong outcomes ($51,866) with 93% acceptance
8.0% payment burden | Good
18.9% family burden | Challenging
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $59,290 | 384 | $21,500 | Good | $25,294 | Challenging | |
| #2 | Seton Hall UniversityPrivate | $58,423 | 29 | $22,750 | Good | $40,003 | High |
| #3 | $51,866 | 100 | $22,334 | Good | $20,000 | Challenging | |
| #4 | Georgian Court UniversityPrivate | $51,012 | 24 | $21,816 | Good | $24,007 | Challenging |
| #5 | $40,608 | 66 | $22,000 | Manageable | $24,693 | High | |
| #6 | Saint Peter's UniversityPrivate | $28,598 | 28 | $20,500 | High | $21,923 | High |
| #7 | Monmouth UniversityPrivate | $27,907 | 35 | $27,000 | High | $49,390 | 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 →
