History at Ramapo College of New Jersey

Ramapo's history graduates start at $33,145—slightly below New Jersey's median for the major but above the national average. However, that 40th percentile state ranking tells a more sobering story: half of New Jersey's history programs produce higher initial earnings, with top performers like Monmouth and Rider delivering first-year outcomes above $45,000. The $24,000 in typical debt is manageable at 0.72 times first-year earnings, though you're paying similar debt for weaker outcomes than you'd get at several in-state alternatives.

The real question is whether the 44% earnings growth to $47,785 by year four justifies the tradeoff. That's strong trajectory growth for a history degree, nearly catching up to what Rider graduates earn right out of college. But remember: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so these numbers could shift significantly with a larger sample. One or two high earners (perhaps those who pivoted to law school or business careers) can skew small cohorts considerably.

For parents concerned about return on investment, Ramapo sits in the middle tier of New Jersey options—neither a standout nor a poor choice, but clearly outperformed by several accessible alternatives. If your student is committed to history and already leaning toward Ramapo for other reasons, the debt level won't sink them financially. But if earnings potential matters and they're still deciding between schools, compare what those higher-ranked New Jersey programs offer.