Information Science/Studies at Strayer University-New Jersey

Strayer's Information Science program commands the highest starting salaries among New Jersey schools in this field—$71,167 puts graduates ahead of even New Jersey Institute of Technology—but that premium comes with debt that's more than double the state median. At 80th percentile for earnings in New Jersey, graduates are outearning peers at more established institutions right from year one, and that advantage holds through year four with steady 11% growth to nearly $79,000.

The concern is the $53,250 debt load, which is significantly higher than what students carry at comparable programs (the state median is just $25,000). However, the 0.75 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable, and graduates are paying roughly three-quarters of their first year's salary rather than exceeding it. Given that two-thirds of students receive Pell grants, this program appears to be successfully moving lower-income students into well-paying tech roles that justify the investment.

For parents, the calculation is straightforward: you're paying more upfront but getting the highest earnings outcomes in the state. If your child can handle the higher debt service—roughly $600/month on standard repayment—those earnings provide enough cushion to make it work. The robust sample size (100+ graduates) confirms these aren't outlier results.