Finance and Financial Management Services at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus

Fairleigh Dickinson's finance program starts graduates near the middle of the pack at $52,729, but here's what matters: four years later, they're earning $76,708—a 46% jump that significantly outpaces typical career progression in this field. That trajectory suggests graduates are gaining valuable experience and advancing quickly, even if they don't land the highest-paying first jobs right out of college.

Within New Jersey, this program sits at the 60th percentile despite the state having prestigious competitors. The Rutgers campuses and Seton Hall place graduates $16,000-$12,000 higher initially, likely feeding into New York City finance roles that FDU graduates may access later in their careers rather than immediately. With $25,000 in debt and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47, the financial burden is manageable—graduates owe less than half their first year's salary, which is reasonable given the strong earnings growth ahead.

The caveat is FDU's 95% admission rate, which means you're not buying selectivity or an elite network. What you are getting is access to New Jersey's finance job market at a price point that won't crush your child early in their career, with clear evidence that graduates move up substantially within four years. For families looking at mid-tier options in the state, this delivers solid upward mobility without the debt load some competitors carry.