Mathematics at New Jersey City University

New Jersey City University's mathematics program starts behind but tells an unusual story of dramatic income growth. First-year graduates earn just $30,605—landing in the bottom 10% among New Jersey math programs and well below the state median of $50,810. But four years later, earnings jump 70% to $52,107, surpassing both the national and state medians for the field. This trajectory suggests graduates may be entering teaching or entry-level positions initially, then transitioning into better-paying roles as they gain experience or complete additional credentials.

The debt picture helps offset the weak start: at $20,250, it's below both state and national averages, and the 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than eight months of their first-year salary. For a school serving a primarily working-class student body (52% receive Pell grants), this manageable debt load matters. However, families should note that top NJ programs like NJIT ($65,725) and the Rutgers campuses (all around $55,000) deliver much stronger first-year earnings—more than double NJCU's initial outcomes.

This program makes sense for students prioritizing access and affordability over immediate earning power, particularly if they have a plan for that difficult first year financially. But the dramatically higher starting salaries elsewhere in New Jersey suggest that stronger students should seriously consider the state's more competitive math programs.