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

Starting below the national median at $52,729, Fairleigh Dickinson's finance program initially appears unremarkable—but graduates see their earnings surge 46% to $76,708 by year four. That's substantially above the national median and represents the kind of trajectory many finance careers promise but don't always deliver. Within New Jersey's competitive landscape, this program ranks at the 60th percentile, outperforming the state median despite an admission rate that suggests accessibility rather than exclusivity.

The debt picture reinforces this program's practicality: at $25,000, graduates carry slightly more than the national median but face a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47. That first-year salary might feel modest in New Jersey's expensive job market, but by year four, earnings approach those of Rider University graduates who started ahead. The moderate sample size means these outcomes reflect real but limited data points.

For parents weighing New Jersey options, this presents a legitimate middle-ground choice. You're not getting Rutgers-level starting salaries (which begin around $68,000), but the strong earnings growth suggests graduates are landing positions with advancement potential. If your child can access the Rutgers system, that remains the better pure earnings play. But for students who need a more accessible entry point, this program delivers improving financial outcomes without crushing debt—a trajectory that matters more than any single year's salary.