Mathematics at New Jersey Institute of Technology

NJIT's mathematics program outearns its in-state competitors by a striking margin—$65,725 in the first year puts it $10,772 ahead of Rutgers and over $14,900 above the New Jersey median. That 80th percentile state ranking becomes even more impressive when you look at the debt: at $26,190, graduates are borrowing just slightly more than typical New Jersey math majors but earning significantly more, resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 that ranks in the 12th percentile nationally (meaning only 12% of programs have lower debt burdens relative to earnings).

The relatively modest earnings growth—just 3% from year one to year four—matters less when starting salaries already exceed what many mathematics graduates earn at their career peak. NJIT's location in Newark likely drives much of this advantage, placing graduates near finance, insurance, and tech employers in the New York metro area who value quantitative skills. The moderate sample size of 30-100 graduates adds some uncertainty to these figures, but the pattern is consistent enough to be meaningful.

For families worried about return on investment, this is straightforward: NJIT math graduates start strong and maintain strong earning power, with debt loads that are manageable from day one. The premium over other New Jersey programs—including flagship Rutgers—justifies any modest difference in borrowing costs.