Best College ROI in Nj 2026
52 colleges in Nj analyzed for return on investment. Strayer University-New Jersey leads with a ROI Score of 100/100 (STRONG BUY).
Nj has 52 colleges tracked in the Department of Education's College Scorecard, split between 12 public institutions and 40 private ones. Across the 52 schools with enough data to score, graduates of the top-paying major at each school carry a median federal debt of $24K and earn $76K in their first year out — the gap that determines whether a degree pays back.
100% of Nj colleges earn an A or B on the ROI Score, with the rest landing at C or below. First-year earnings top out at Strayer University-New Jersey (median $95K on Computer and Information Sciences).
All numbers come from the latest College Scorecard release, which tracks outcomes for federal financial aid recipients only — graduates who paid cash or used private loans aren't in this dataset, so actual median debt at high-income schools may be lower than shown. The ROI Score weights debt-to-income (35%), earnings premium (25%), BLS job outlook (20%), graduation rate (10%), and debt vs. national average (10%).
Top 3 Best ROI Colleges in Nj
Strayer University-New Jersey
Private · Verdict: STRONG BUY
Tops Nj's ROI rankings on its Computer and Information Sciences program. Graduates earn a median $95K in their first year against $5K in median debt.
Bloomfield College
Private · Verdict: STRONG BUY
Second-best ROI in the state, driven by Computer Science. Five-year median earnings: $147K.
Kean University
Public · Verdict: STRONG BUY
Third on the ROI Score with Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. Graduation rate 10000%, debt $22K.
Top 20 Colleges by ROI in Nj
| # | School | Best Major | Median Debt | 1yr Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Strayer University-New Jersey(private) | Computer and Information Sciences | $5K | $95K | A (100) |
| 2 | Bloomfield College(private) | Computer Science | $17K | $95K | A (97) |
| 3 | Kean University(public) | Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | $22K | $95K | A (96) |
| 4 | Princeton University(private) | Computer Science | $20K | $95K | A (96) |
| 5 | Saint Peter's University(private) | Computer and Information Sciences | $21K | $95K | A (96) |
| 6 | Stevens Institute of Technology(private) | Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $22K | $95K | A (96) |
| 7 | Caldwell University(private) | Computer Science | $22K | $95K | A (95) |
| 8 | DeVry University-New Jersey(private) | Computer Systems Analysis | $23K | $95K | A (95) |
| 9 | Drew University(private) | Computer Science | $22K | $95K | A (95) |
| 10 | Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus(private) | Computer and Information Sciences | $22K | $95K | A (95) |
| 11 | Monmouth University(private) | Computer and Information Sciences | $23K | $95K | A (95) |
| 12 | Montclair State University(public) | Computer and Information Sciences | $21K | $95K | A (95) |
| 13 | Ramapo College of New Jersey(public) | Computer and Information Sciences | $22K | $95K | A (95) |
| 14 | Rider University(private) | Computer Science | $22K | $95K | A (95) |
| 15 | Rowan University(public) | Computer and Information Sciences | $22K | $95K | A (95) |
| 16 | Saint Elizabeth University(private) | Mathematics | $23K | $78K | A (95) |
| 17 | Seton Hall University(private) | Computer and Information Sciences | $22K | $95K | A (95) |
| 18 | Stockton University(public) | Computer Science | $22K | $95K | A (95) |
| 19 | The College of New Jersey(public) | Mathematics | $22K | $78K | A (95) |
| 20 | William Paterson University of New Jersey(public) | Computer and Information Sciences | $22K | $95K | A (95) |
College debt and earnings data for Nj is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, which tracks outcomes for federal financial aid recipients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Strayer University-New Jersey has the best ROI in Nj with a score of 100/100 (STRONG BUY). The top major is Computer and Information Sciences, with $95K in first-year median earnings against $5K in median debt.
Across 52 Nj colleges with ROI data, graduates carry a median debt of about $24K on the best-paying major at each school. First-year median earnings on those same programs average $76K.
Strayer University-New Jersey graduates earn the most one year out, with median first-year pay of $95K on its top major (Computer and Information Sciences). After five years, those graduates earn a median of $147K.
Nj has 52 colleges in our database (12 public, 40 private). Of the 52 with reportable ROI, 100% earn an A or B grade.
The ROI Score (0-100) weighs debt-to-income ratio (35%), earnings premium over a high school graduate (25%), job market outlook (20%), graduation rate (10%), and debt vs. national average (10%). Scores are graded A-F with verdicts from "Strong Buy" to "Avoid." Data comes from the College Scorecard and BLS occupational projections.
ROI Score: debt-to-income (35%), earnings premium (25%), job market outlook (20%), graduation rate (10%), debt vs. national average (10%).