Median Earnings (1yr)
$74,403
95th percentile
80th percentile in New Jersey
Median Debt
$22,500
10% below national median

Analysis

The College of New Jersey's accounting program produces exceptional outcomes that significantly outpace both state and national averages. First-year graduates earn $74,403β€”nearly $21,000 more than New Jersey's median for accounting graduates and roughly $21,000 above the national median. Among New Jersey's 23 accounting programs, this ranks in the 80th percentile, trailing only the Rutgers campuses and Seton Hall among major public options. The $22,500 median debt is manageable, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.30 that allows graduates to comfortably handle repayment.

What makes this program particularly attractive is the combination of strong initial placement and continued earnings growth. Graduates see their median income rise to $85,225 within four yearsβ€”a 15% increase that suggests they're advancing into senior accounting roles or CPA positions rather than stalling early in their careers. For a public institution with a 62% acceptance rate, these outcomes rival more selective private competitors.

The value proposition is straightforward: you're getting near-elite accounting program results at a public school price point. While the moderate sample size means individual outcomes will vary, the data suggests this program has strong connections to New Jersey's accounting market, particularly in the pharmaceutical and financial services sectors that dominate the region. For families seeking an in-state accounting degree, this represents one of the strongest combinations of accessibility and career outcomes available.

Where The College of New Jersey Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all accounting bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How The College of New Jersey graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
The College of New Jersey$74,403$85,225+15%
Seton Hall University$69,411$87,039+25%
Rutgers University-Camden$68,141$78,766+16%
Rutgers University-New Brunswick$68,141$78,766+16%
Rutgers University-Newark$68,141$78,766+16%

Compare to Similar Programs in New Jersey

Accounting bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New Jersey (23 total in state)

Scroll to see more β†’

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
The College of New JerseyEwing$18,685$74,403$85,225$22,5000.30
Seton Hall UniversitySouth Orange$51,370$69,411$87,039$25,0000.36
Rutgers University-NewarkNewark$16,586$68,141$78,766$22,7700.33
Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew Brunswick$17,239$68,141$78,766$22,7700.33
Rutgers University-CamdenCamden$17,079$68,141$78,766$22,7700.33
Ramapo College of New JerseyMahwah$15,978$66,615$78,346$25,0000.38
National Medianβ€”$53,694β€”$25,0000.47

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with accounting graduates

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial and Investment Analysts

Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Examiners

Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.

$90,400/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Budget Analysts

Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.

$87,930/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Accountants and Auditors

Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.

$81,680/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents

Determine tax liability or collect taxes from individuals or business firms according to prescribed laws and regulations.

$59,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.

$49,210/yrJobs growth:Some college, no degree

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks

Compile and record employee time and payroll data. May compute employees' time worked, production, and commission. May compute and post wages and deductions, or prepare paychecks.

$48,650/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At The College of New Jersey, approximately 20% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 68 graduates with reported earnings and 56 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.