Students at Stockton University achieve earnings that consistently exceed expectations, with graduates earning meaningfully more than peers at similar institutions nationwide.
The university combines broad access with strong outcomes, particularly excelling at helping first-generation and low-income students build successful careers.
Stockton University delivers consistent value for students across income levels, combining broad access with outcomes that place graduates well above typical expectations. Nearly 42% of students are first-generation college students, and over 40% receive Pell Grants, yet the university maintains strong graduation rates and produces graduates who earn meaningfully more than peers at similar institutions. This balance of accessibility and results reflects Stockton's mission as a comprehensive public university that doesn't compromise on quality while serving diverse student populations.
Graduates earn a median of $57,602 ten years after enrollment, with the university delivering an earnings advantage of about $6,024 beyond what similar students achieve elsewhere. This performance spans multiple fields, from business administration and nursing to health sciences, where Stockton has built particularly strong programs that connect directly to regional employment opportunities. The university's location in southern New Jersey provides access to both Philadelphia and New York metropolitan job markets, expanding career possibilities for graduates.
As a mid-sized public institution, Stockton offers the personal attention of a smaller college with the resources and program breadth of a larger university. The combination of reasonable costs, strong financial outcomes, and proven success with first-generation students makes it an especially compelling choice for families seeking reliable return on investment without the premium pricing of more selective institutions.
Stockton University's program portfolio reflects a strategic focus on fields that combine regional employment demand with strong earning potential. Health sciences dominate both enrollment and outcomes, with Adult Health Nursing leading in individual earnings at $71,947 and Health Services programs graduating the largest cohort at 345 students annually. This concentration in healthcare fields aligns with growing demand across New Jersey and the broader Philadelphia metropolitan region.
Business Administration represents Stockton's most significant economic engine, combining substantial enrollment of 309 graduates with solid median earnings of $43,172. This program's scale creates meaningful alumni networks and employer relationships that benefit current students through internships, mentorship, and job placement opportunities. The business program's consistent performance reflects Stockton's ability to prepare students for diverse roles across finance, management, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
While programs like Biology show more modest early-career earnings around $25,729, they serve as important foundations for students planning graduate school in medicine, research, or related fields. Stockton's program mix balances immediate career preparation with academic pathways that support longer-term professional development, creating options for students with varying career timelines and goals.
Stockton University graduates achieve solid long-term financial outcomes that consistently exceed expectations. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $57,602, with the university delivering an earnings advantage of approximately $6,024 beyond what similar students achieve at comparable institutions. This earnings premium places Stockton in the top 30% nationally for long-term financial outcomes, reflecting the university's ability to prepare students for careers that offer both stability and growth potential.
The strongest financial returns come from Stockton's health-focused programs, where Adult Health Nursing graduates earn around $71,947 early in their careers, combining high demand with excellent compensation. Business Administration, the university's largest high-return program with 309 graduates, produces median earnings of $43,172 and represents Stockton's most significant economic engine due to the combination of strong enrollment and solid pay. Health Services programs, while showing more modest individual earnings around $23,842, graduate the largest cohort at 345 students and provide pathways into stable, growing healthcare sectors.
Stockton's program portfolio balances professional preparation with foundational disciplines, creating multiple pathways to financial success. The university's location provides graduates access to diverse employment markets across the Philadelphia and New York metropolitan regions, where many alumni build careers in healthcare, business, education, and public service that continue to advance over time.
Stockton University maintains reasonable costs across income levels, making it accessible to families with varying financial circumstances. Low-income students pay approximately $13,774 annually after aid, while middle-income families see net costs around $17,407 per year. Even higher-income families face predictable expenses of about $28,051, which remains competitive among comprehensive public universities in the Northeast corridor.
Debt levels at Stockton are manageable relative to graduate earnings. Typical students leave with about $20,500 in federal student loan debt, while families who choose Parent PLUS loans borrow an average of $20,647. With graduates earning a median of $57,602 ten years out, most borrowers can handle standard repayment comfortably, and the university's strong track record of loan repayment suggests that students generally find their debt sustainable. The combination of reasonable borrowing levels and solid post-graduation earnings creates a financial foundation that supports both immediate repayment capacity and long-term wealth building for most graduates.
Stockton University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
