Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Monmouth University

Monmouth University's nursing program sits in an awkward middle ground within New Jersey's competitive nursing landscape. While the $88,812 starting salary lands in the 92nd percentile nationally—appearing impressive at first glance—it places at just the 40th percentile among New Jersey nursing programs. This means six in ten NJ nursing schools launch their graduates into higher-paying positions. The gap is real: NJ's state median is $90,730, and the top five programs all start above $95,000. For a program with a 90% acceptance rate, Monmouth isn't translating accessibility into competitive outcomes within its own market.

The debt picture offers some relief. At $27,000, borrowing aligns with both state and national medians, creating a manageable 0.30 debt-to-earnings ratio. A new nurse could reasonably handle these payments on their starting salary. However, this standard debt level combined with below-median state earnings means Monmouth graduates will face a longer payback period than peers at Montclair State or Kean, who earn $15,000-$16,000 more annually while carrying similar debt.

For families paying out-of-state or private tuition, this program doesn't deliver competitive value—you're paying premium prices for middle-tier New Jersey outcomes. In-state students might consider whether nearby public options like Ramapo or Montclair offer better return, especially given the significant salary differences in nursing's first critical years of career building.