Students at Ramapo College earn substantially more than similar students at other institutions, with graduates achieving earnings that rank in the top 15% nationally among public colleges.
The college's focused approach to career preparation delivers consistent financial outcomes that exceed expectations by nearly $8,000 per graduate.
Azimuth ranks Ramapo College of New Jersey among the top-performing public institutions nationwide for overall value, with graduates achieving earnings that place the college in the 86th percentile nationally. What distinguishes Ramapo is its ability to deliver strong financial outcomes through a focused approach to career-oriented education. With about 27% of students receiving Pell Grants and 31% being first-generation college students, the college maintains solid access while consistently producing graduates who earn well above expectations.
Ramapo's strength lies in its concentrated program portfolio, particularly in high-demand fields like nursing, business, and emerging technology areas such as artificial intelligence. Graduates earn a median of $67,541 ten years after enrollment, with the college's value-added earnings advantage of nearly $7,800 reflecting how much better students perform compared with similar institutions nationwide.
As a medium-sized public college in New Jersey, Ramapo offers the personal attention of a smaller institution while maintaining the academic breadth and employer connections needed for strong career outcomes. The college's 72% six-year graduation rate, combined with its track record of producing graduates who consistently outperform earnings expectations, makes it a reliable choice for families seeking both educational quality and financial security.
Ramapo College's program portfolio reflects a strategic focus on career-oriented fields that deliver strong financial returns. Nursing emerges as the standout program, combining substantial enrollment of 135 graduates with exceptional median earnings of $79,631, making it both the college's largest high-return program and a key driver of overall institutional outcomes. The program's success reflects strong clinical partnerships and the high demand for healthcare professionals in the New Jersey region.
Business Administration represents the college's largest program with 171 graduates, though earnings are more moderate at $44,979, typical for broad business degrees that serve diverse career paths. The real standout in terms of earnings potential is Artificial Intelligence, where 43 graduates achieve median earnings of $73,635, reflecting the premium that emerging technology fields command in today's job market.
The college's program mix demonstrates intentional focus rather than broad comprehensiveness. While Psychology enrolls 98 students with lower initial earnings of $30,952, many of these graduates pursue graduate education or alternative career paths that aren't captured in early-career earnings data. This concentrated approach to high-return professional programs helps explain why Ramapo graduates consistently exceed earnings expectations and achieve strong long-term financial outcomes across the institution.
Graduates of Ramapo College of New Jersey achieve strong long-term financial outcomes that place the institution among the top performers nationally. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $67,541, ranking in the 86th percentile compared with other public institutions. Perhaps more importantly, Ramapo graduates earn nearly $7,800 more than similar students at comparable colleges, demonstrating the institution's ability to add substantial value beyond what would be expected based on student characteristics alone.
The college's return on investment varies significantly by program choice, reflecting its focused approach to career preparation. Nursing stands out as both the highest-return program and a major enrollment driver, with 135 graduates earning a median of $79,631 ten years out. Artificial Intelligence, though smaller with 43 graduates, delivers exceptional early-career outcomes at $73,635 median earnings. Business Administration, the college's largest program with 171 graduates, produces more moderate but still solid earnings of $44,979, while Psychology graduates start at $30,952 but often pursue graduate education or alternative career paths.
Ramapo's concentrated program mix emphasizes professional preparation in high-demand fields, which helps explain why graduates consistently exceed earnings expectations. The college's ability to place over 1,000 graduates in positions earning above $75,000 annually demonstrates both the strength of its academic programs and the effectiveness of its career preparation and employer relationships.
Decomposes the earnings-above-expectation score into program mix, labor market alignment, and the remaining institutional residual.
Negative program contribution values reflect how the school's mix compares with the model, not that the school is weak in that field.
Affordability at Ramapo College of New Jersey varies considerably by family income, with the college providing strong value particularly for low-income students. Low-income families pay about $10,142 annually after aid, which represents solid affordability for a New Jersey public institution. Middle-income families see net prices around $18,536, while higher-income families pay approximately $26,671 per year, reflecting a typical public college pricing structure that scales with family resources.
Debt levels at Ramapo are manageable relative to the earnings outcomes graduates achieve. Typical federal student loan debt is about $21,000, a reasonable amount given that graduates earn a median of $67,541 ten years after enrollment. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $24,335, which represents a moderate level of family contribution compared with many institutions in the region. The college's zero percent federal loan default rate indicates that graduates are successfully managing their debt obligations.
What makes Ramapo particularly sustainable financially is the combination of reasonable borrowing levels and strong post-graduation earnings. With nearly 78% of borrowers successfully repaying their loans and graduates consistently outperforming earnings expectations, the college provides a clear path to financial stability. The institution's focused approach to high-return programs means that most students can confidently expect their educational investment to pay off over time.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
