New Jersey City University
New Jersey City University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
New Jersey City University at a Glance
Kean Jersey City, formerly known as New Jersey City University (NJCU), is a public university in Jersey City, New Jersey, United States. Originally chartered in 1927, Kean Jersey City consists of the School of Business, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, and College of Professional Studies and is part of New Jersey's public system of higher education.
1927
99 years old
$13M
US$12.5 million
510
6,800 undergrad · 2,350 grad
46 acres
Identity
Is New Jersey City University Worth It?
At a value score of 30/100, New Jersey City University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $52,745 — 2% below average — while paying $16,053/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 36% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 98% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at New Jersey City University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How New Jersey City University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #112 of 146 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #4 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #5 | Northwest Florida State College | 88 | $4,571 | $39,664 |
| #6 | Bates Technical College | 86 | $6,292 | $50,051 |
| #112 | New Jersey City University | 30 | $16,053 | $52,745 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of New Jersey City University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at New Jersey City University
The highest-earning program at New Jersey City University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $72,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Music at $18,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from New Jersey City University earns $72,700, while a Music graduate earns $18,400. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $12,500 in median debt vs. $27,250 for Music.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $16,053/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $72,700 | $72,700 | $12,500 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $45,700 | $45,700 | $18,160 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $43,300 | $43,300 | $17,742 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $42,500 | $42,500 | $24,795 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $41,400 | $41,400 | $15,517 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $37,200 | $37,200 | $23,000 |
| Marketing | $36,600 | $36,600 | $21,500 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $36,000 | $36,000 | $19,750 |
| Homeland Security | $36,000 | $36,000 | $14,000 |
| Mathematics | $34,200 | $34,200 | $14,489 |
| Fire Protection | $32,800 | $32,800 | N/A |
| History | $31,400 | $31,400 | $23,847 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $30,700 | $30,700 | $22,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $29,300 | $29,300 | $19,687 |
| Sociology | $28,700 | $28,700 | $22,500 |
| Psychology, General | $28,200 | $28,200 | $19,040 |
| Biology, General | $26,900 | $26,900 | $21,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $24,300 | $24,300 | $22,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $20,500 | $20,500 | $19,500 |
| Music | $18,400 | $18,400 | $27,250 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Jersey City, NJ
- Student Body
- 3,681 students
- Admission Rate
- 98%
- Graduation Rate
- 36%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $16,053
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $52,745
- Median Student Debt
- $18,500