Computer and Information Sciences at Monmouth University

Monmouth's computer science program starts graduates at a modest $60,300—below both the state median of $63,789 and national average—but then demonstrates impressive momentum, with earnings jumping 40% to $84,606 by year four. That four-year mark puts graduates neck-and-neck with Rutgers and TCNJ alumni, a notable achievement for a program that ranks in just the 40th percentile within New Jersey initially.

The $27,000 in median debt sits slightly above state norms but remains manageable at a 0.45 ratio to first-year earnings. For context, Monmouth's relatively open admissions (90% acceptance rate) suggests it may serve students who wouldn't otherwise access a selective program, yet still delivers strong mid-career outcomes. The catch is that initial year salary lag—graduates appear to need time to catch up to peers from more competitive programs, possibly reflecting different entry-level job placements or geographic factors in the New York metro market.

If your child is weighing Monmouth against higher-ranked New Jersey options and can get in elsewhere, those programs offer faster early earnings. But if Monmouth is the more realistic admit, the data shows graduates who stick with tech careers can reach comparable salaries within a few years, making the modest debt load a reasonable investment for students who need that accessible entry point into computing fields.