Hospitality Administration/Management at Stockton University

Stockton's hospitality program starts graduates at just $30,833—well below both the state median ($38,330) and national average ($34,675), ranking in only the 25th percentile among New Jersey's six hospitality programs. If you're paying out-of-state tuition or taking on significant private loans, this should factor heavily into your decision. The silver lining is impressive earnings momentum: graduates see 45% income growth by year four, reaching $44,659, which suggests the program may build skills that take time to translate into compensation.

The $20,197 in median debt is lower than both state and national benchmarks, which helps offset the weak starting salary. That 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly 8 months of their first-year salary—manageable but not exceptional given the low baseline. The real concern is the initial earnings gap: competing New Jersey programs at Fairleigh Dickinson start graduates roughly $7,500 higher, which compounds over time even with Stockton's stronger growth trajectory.

For New Jersey residents paying in-state tuition, this program offers a lower-cost entry point into hospitality management with reasonable debt, but expect a lean first few years financially. The steep earnings curve suggests patience pays off, though you'll still need to close the gap with peers who started ahead. Compare carefully against other in-state options before committing.