Ramapo College of New Jersey
Ramapo College of New Jersey — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Ramapo College of New Jersey at a Glance
Ramapo College of New Jersey (RCNJ) is a public liberal arts college in Mahwah, New Jersey, United States. It is part of New Jersey's public system of higher education. As of the fall 2021 semester, there were a total of 5,732 students enrolled at the college, including 576 graduate students and 11 doctorate students.
1969
57 years old
$34M
$33.7 million (2025)
5,732
5,145 undergrad · 587 grad
300 acres
Identity
Is Ramapo College of New Jersey Worth It?
Ramapo College of New Jersey delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $18,173/year, it's priced 11% below average, while graduates go on to earn $67,541 — 26% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 71% graduation rate means roughly 29% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Ramapo College of New Jersey compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in NJ
Ranked #3 of 36 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 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #2 | Lake Washington Institute of Technology | 71 | $6,817 | $50,669 |
| #3 | Ramapo College of New Jersey | 66 | $18,173 | $67,541 |
| #4 | Rutgers University-Camden | 66 | $18,745 | $74,479 |
| #5 | SUNY College at Geneseo | 66 | $18,211 | $67,316 |
| #6 | Bismarck State College | 63 | $10,270 | $54,277 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Ramapo College of New Jersey's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in NJ.
Best Programs at Ramapo College of New Jersey
The highest-earning program at Ramapo College of New Jersey is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $72,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Music at $17,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Ramapo College of New Jersey earns $72,800, while a Music graduate earns $17,200. 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 $25,000 in median debt vs. $24,000 for Music.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,173/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 | $72,800 | $72,800 | $25,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $57,100 | $57,100 | $21,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $41,100 | $41,100 | $21,380 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $37,900 | $37,900 | $25,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $34,400 | $34,400 | $23,812 |
| Sociology | $33,700 | $33,700 | $20,000 |
| Mathematics | $33,000 | $33,000 | $24,839 |
| Social Work | $32,900 | $32,900 | $21,250 |
| History | $30,600 | $30,600 | $27,000 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $28,900 | $28,900 | $25,000 |
| Legal Professions and Studies, Other | $28,900 | $28,900 | $22,375 |
| Area Studies | $28,400 | $28,400 | $22,500 |
| Biology, General | $27,700 | $27,700 | $24,997 |
| Psychology, General | $27,500 | $27,500 | $24,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $24,100 | $24,100 | $21,375 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $22,400 | $22,400 | $25,000 |
| Music | $17,200 | $17,200 | $24,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Mahwah, NJ
- Student Body
- 4,898 students
- Admission Rate
- 71%
- Graduation Rate
- 71%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,173
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $67,541
- Median Student Debt
- $21,000