Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Stockton University

Stockton delivers something rare for liberal arts: graduates actually see meaningful earnings growth after leaving campus. That 25% jump from $42,000 to nearly $53,000 over four years suggests this program teaches skills that translate into career progression, not just that first post-graduation job. The $27,000 debt load is manageable against these earnings—the 0.64 ratio means graduates owe less than eight months of their starting salary.

Within New Jersey, Stockton lands solidly in the middle tier, outperforming the state median by about $4,700 in first-year earnings. It trails Thomas Edison and Rowan, but those comparisons matter less than the national picture: this program ranks in the 78th percentile nationwide. For a school with an 88% admission rate and tuition costs well below private alternatives, that's legitimate outperformance. The 42% Pell grant population suggests Stockton serves students who need college to work economically, and these numbers show it's delivering on that promise.

The real selling point is trajectory. Many liberal arts programs see flat or declining earnings as graduates struggle to find their footing. Stockton's graduates are earning $10,000 more by year four, moving from entry-level wages toward actual career salaries. At this debt level and with these outcomes, it's a reasonable bet for students who want the flexibility of a liberal arts degree without gambling their financial future.