Computer Science at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus

New Jersey's computer science market is particularly strong, and comparable programs across the state suggest graduates typically earn around $99,000 in their first year—significantly above the $71,000 national benchmark. With an estimated debt load of $25,000, this translates to a quarter of first-year earnings, a manageable ratio that should allow graduates to service loans while building savings. The institution's 96% admission rate positions it as an accessible entry point into a high-demand field where technical skills matter more than institutional prestige.

The caveat here is real: because this specific program's graduate cohort is too small for the Department of Education to publish outcomes, these figures come from peer programs in New Jersey. The range among actual reported programs in the state is wide—Princeton CS grads command $147,000 while Drew's earn $48,000—suggesting that individual program quality, internship networks, and student preparation vary considerably. Fairleigh Dickinson's outcomes likely fall somewhere in this spectrum, but without hard data, you're making an informed guess rather than a calculated bet.

For anxious parents, the fundamental question is whether the estimated debt-to-earnings profile justifies the uncertainty. A quarter-to-one ratio is solid if the $99,000 figure holds, but if actual outcomes skew lower toward the state's weaker programs, the investment becomes less clear-cut. Request employment outcomes directly from the school—job placement rates, hiring companies, starting salary ranges—before committing.