Computer and Information Sciences at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus

Fairleigh Dickinson's computer science graduates start at just $41,788—about $20,000 below New Jersey's median and in the bottom 10% of CS programs statewide. While earnings climb 40% by year four to reach $58,629, that's still roughly $25,000 less than what graduates from Rutgers or The College of New Jersey earn right out of the gate. In a state where tech employers pay competitive salaries, these outcomes suggest significant placement challenges or a disconnect between curriculum and industry demands.

The $25,000 debt load is average, but when your first-year salary trails the state median by nearly a third, that debt feels heavier. The earnings catch-up is real—going from $41,788 to $58,629 shows genuine growth—but you're essentially spending your first few career years just reaching what peers from stronger programs started at. Given the school's 96% admission rate and these outcomes, the program appears to struggle with either employer perception or graduate preparation in New Jersey's competitive tech market.

For a computer science degree where starting salary matters tremendously for loan repayment and career trajectory, paying private university tuition here is questionable. If Rutgers or TCNJ are options, the $30,000+ earnings premium from day one makes them dramatically better investments. This program might work for students with specific circumstances keeping them local, but the numbers suggest looking elsewhere first.