Economics at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus

Estimated first-year earnings of $51,656 place this economics degree right at New Jersey's median for the field, but with a crucial caveat: these figures come from comparable programs statewide, not from tracking actual FDU-Metropolitan graduates. The estimated debt load of $21,413 is notably lower than both the state median ($24,965) and national benchmark ($22,816), producing a manageable 0.41 debt-to-earnings ratio. In practical terms, if these estimates hold, monthly loan payments would run around $240—roughly 5% of gross income, well within reasonable territory.

The challenge is context. While the estimated earnings match the state median, New Jersey's economics market spans an enormous range. Princeton graduates average over $103,000, and even public universities like TCNJ and the Rutgers campuses cluster around $62,000 to $52,000. The estimates here suggest FDU-Metropolitan performs at the lower end of this spectrum, though without actual graduate outcomes, it's impossible to know whether this school beats or trails peer institutions.

For families weighing this option, the relatively modest estimated debt is genuinely appealing—it limits downside risk. But with a 96% admission rate and earnings estimates that merely track the state median, this program appears positioned as an accessible entry point rather than a competitive advantage. If your child has options at Rutgers or TCNJ, those schools offer reported data showing stronger outcomes. If not, the estimated debt-to-earnings picture here isn't alarming, just unremarkable.