The College of New Jersey combines moderately selective admissions with strong economic outcomes. As a Selective Achievers institution, the college produces graduates earning $4,600 beyond expectations while maintaining debt levels around the national average, supporting long-term financial stability across diverse academic programs.
Strong long-term earnings relative to educational investment and debt levels
Higher net costs relative to national benchmarks, though debt levels remain manageable
With well above average performance, reflecting the institution's ability to convert educational access into earnings growth for diverse student populations
With well above average performance, reflecting the institution's ability to convert educational access into earnings growth for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisThe College of New Jersey demonstrates strong return on investment through controlled borrowing and solid earnings growth. Graduates earn a median of $73,323 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 89th percentile nationally and exceeding the peer median of $50,116 by $23,207 annually.
Earnings range from $54,306 at the 25th percentile to $106,110 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career paths across academic disciplines. The institution generates $4,600 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 72.6th percentile nationally on this measure.
Students seeking strong post-graduation outcomes at a moderately selective public institution. Well-suited for those who value academic rigor combined with manageable debt levels and practical career preparation across business, education, and STEM fields.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the The College Of New Jersey hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/the-college-of-new-jersey/analysis.
Selective Achievers institution delivering strong outcomes
The College of New Jersey ranks #332 nationally in Azimuth's comprehensive analysis, placing at the 79.7th percentile with well above average overall performance. Located in Ewing, New Jersey, this medium-sized public institution maintains moderately selective admission standards with a 62.1% acceptance rate while delivering strong post-graduation outcomes.
The College of New Jersey enrolls 20.1% Pell-eligible students and 20.5% first-generation students, reflecting moderate accessibility for diverse student backgrounds. Graduates earn $4,600 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 72.6th percentile nationally.
Median earnings reach $73,323 ten years after enrollment, placing The College of New Jersey in the 89th percentile for long-term earnings. This combination of selective-but-accessible admissions and strong economic outcomes places the institution within the Selective Achievers quadrant, where institutions deliver robust post-graduation results while serving a student population with fewer low-income students relative to national averages.
The College of New Jersey admits approximately 62.1% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 5 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places the institution in the moderately selective category, with admission standards that are competitive but accessible to well-prepared students.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% highlights that The College of New Jersey is more selective than typical public institutions, accepting 22.4 percentage points fewer applicants than its peer group. This level of selectivity means that academically prepared students with solid test scores and grades have reasonable admission prospects, though the institution does maintain standards above open-access policies.
For prospective applicants, this selectivity level suggests building a balanced college list that includes both more and less selective options. Students should expect meaningful competition for admission spots, particularly in popular programs like Business Administration and Nursing.
The admissions process rewards academic preparation, and students with academic profiles within the institution's typical ranges should approach The College of New Jersey as a target school rather than a safety option. Geographic proximity to major metropolitan areas in New Jersey and New York means the applicant pool includes many academically competitive students from well-resourced school districts.
Artificial Intelligence.
44 graduates
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
45 graduates
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
91 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
19 graduates
Business Administration and Management, General.
298 graduates
The College of New Jersey offers 19 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data available for ranking analysis. Business Administration and Management ranks #17 nationally and #2 in New Jersey, producing 298 graduates with median earnings of $81,674 and an exceptional value score of 95.3, making it one of the institution's flagship programs.
Adult and Continuing Education ranks #19 nationally and #1 in New Jersey, graduating 111 students with median earnings of $54,977. Biology ranks #17 nationally and #3 in New Jersey, with 108 graduates earning $57,757.
Psychology ranks #12 nationally and #1 in New Jersey, graduating 102 students with median earnings of $57,068 and a value score of 96.8. Adult Health Nurse/Nursing produces 91 graduates earning $84,646, while Agricultural Teacher Education ranks #9 nationally.
The College of New Jersey maintains particularly strong performance in business, education, and health-related fields, with several programs achieving top-20 national rankings and consistently earning #1 or #2 positions within New Jersey.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
The College of New Jersey's published cost of attendance totals $37,070 per year, including $24,568 in out-of-state tuition ($18,685 for New Jersey residents), $15,569 for room and board, and $1,200 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays significantly less after financial aid, with a net price of $25,458 annually, representing $11,612 in financial aid savings.
This net price exceeds the peer median of $14,093 by $11,365, indicating higher costs relative to similar public institutions. Net prices vary substantially by family income level, ranging from $12,814 for families earning under $30,000 annually to $33,080 for families earning over $110,000.
The gap between lowest and highest income net prices spans $20,266, demonstrating significant financial aid targeting toward lower-income families. While the sticker price appears substantial, the majority of students receive meaningful financial aid that reduces their actual costs.
New Jersey residents benefit from lower in-state tuition rates, though room and board costs remain consistent regardless of residency status. The College of New Jersey's cost structure reflects its position as a selective public institution that invests in smaller class sizes and enhanced academic resources, though these investments result in higher net costs than typical public alternatives.
The College of New Jersey graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over their early to mid-career periods. Median earnings rise from $62,649 six years after enrollment to $68,792 at eight years and $73,323 at ten years, representing 17% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 1,655 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $4,600 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing The College of New Jersey in the 72.6th percentile for earnings uplift.
Low-income graduates earn $54,600, demonstrating solid post-graduation outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds. Earnings span from $54,306 at the 25th percentile to $106,110 at the 75th percentile, reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory.
Approximately 22.6% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education. The institution's graduates substantially outperform peers, earning $23,207 more annually than the peer median of $50,116, positioning The College of New Jersey favorably within its competitive landscape.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Iona University Higher acceptance rate (29 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 69 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NY | 91% | $73,595 | Compare |
Rutgers University-Newark Higher acceptance rate (16.6 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 45 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NJ | 79% | $74,479 | Compare |
University Of Scranton Higher acceptance rate (22.2 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 91 miles away; similar graduate earnings | PA | 84% | $74,652 | Compare |
Saint Anselm College Higher acceptance rate (16.2 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NH | 78% | $73,371 | Compare |
Assumption University Higher acceptance rate (24.4 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | MA | 87% | $74,895 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of New Mexico-Main Campus Similar quality tier (#327 ranked) | NM | 95% | $44,792 | #327 | Compare |
University Of South Alabama Similar quality tier (#328 ranked) | AL | 65% | $49,379 | #328 | Compare |
Lamar University Similar quality tier (#323 ranked) | TX | 86% | $49,652 | #323 | Compare |
Eastern Michigan University Similar quality tier (#322 ranked) | MI | 81% | $51,793 | #322 | Compare |
University Of Wisconsin-Whitewater Similar quality tier (#321 ranked) | WI | 83% | $55,356 | #321 | Compare |