Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus
Bachelor's Degree
fdu.eduAnalysis
New Jersey's engineering programs cluster tightly in earnings, and based on comparable programs statewide, Fairleigh Dickinson appears positioned right in the middle of the pack. The estimated first-year salary of $79,612 matches the state median and sits close to powerhouse programs like NJIT and Rutgers—a promising sign for a university with a 96% admission rate that offers significantly more accessible entry than competitors. The estimated debt load of $26,000 is modest, creating a comfortable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33 that should be manageable on an engineer's starting salary.
The caveat here is meaningful: these figures come from peer programs across New Jersey, not Fairleigh Dickinson's own graduates. Similar electrical engineering programs in the state suggest earnings in this range, but whether this particular program's industry connections, curriculum, and career services deliver comparable outcomes isn't captured in these estimates. The gap between Stevens ($90K) and The College of New Jersey ($73K) shows how much variation exists even within the state, and without program-specific data, it's unclear where Fairleigh Dickinson truly lands.
For families evaluating this program, the fundamentals look reasonable—engineering credentials generally translate to solid employment, and the estimated debt burden isn't alarming. However, you'd want to dig into placement rates, employer partnerships, and alumni outcomes directly with the school before committing, since the actual return could vary considerably from these statewide estimates.
Where Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all electrical, electronics and communications engineering bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in New Jersey
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New Jersey (7 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $35,822 | $79,612* | — | $26,000* | — | |
| $60,952 | $90,136* | $108,798 | $26,490* | 0.29 | |
| $17,239 | $82,598* | $119,602 | $23,679* | 0.29 | |
| $15,700 | $79,612* | $86,018 | $23,250* | 0.29 | |
| $19,022 | $78,794* | $90,360 | $25,325* | 0.32 | |
| $18,685 | $73,531* | $82,580 | —* | — | |
| National Median | — | $77,710* | — | $24,989* | 0.32 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with electrical, electronics and communications engineering graduates
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Computer Hardware Engineers
Aerospace Engineers
Electrical Engineers
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Engineers, All Other
Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar
Mechatronics Engineers
Microsystems Engineers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus, approximately 22% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 5 similar programs in NJ. Actual outcomes may vary.