Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Drew University

Drew's liberal arts program starts rough but tells an unusual comeback story. Fresh graduates earn just $28,961—below 80% of similar programs nationally and 75% in New Jersey. With $27,000 in debt, new grads face nearly a full year's salary in loans, a challenging start by any measure.

Here's the twist: by year four, earnings jump to $47,879, a 65% increase that outpaces typical liberal arts trajectories. This eventually puts graduates ahead of the New Jersey median ($38,032) and suggests the program may build skills or networks that take time to monetize. Still, even this recovered position trails programs like Thomas Edison State ($49,779) and Rowan ($43,486), where graduates likely reach similar earnings faster.

The real question is whether your family can weather those difficult first years. Nearly $30,000 in first-year earnings won't comfortably cover rent in the New York metro area, let alone student loan payments. If your child needs financial independence quickly after graduation, the delayed payoff here creates real risk. But if they can lean on family support initially—perhaps living at home or pursuing graduate school—the eventual earnings trajectory becomes more manageable. This program requires patience and a financial cushion that not every family has.