Business Administration, Management and Operations at The College of New Jersey
Bachelor's Degree
Analysis
The College of New Jersey's business program delivers exceptional career acceleration, with graduates seeing their earnings jump 45% from $56,286 to $81,674 between their first and fourth years post-graduation. This trajectory places the program in the 86th percentile nationally—well above typical business programs that start around $46,000. The $23,250 debt load creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41, meaning graduates can reasonably expect to handle their loans.
Within New Jersey's competitive landscape, this program holds steady in the 60th percentile, trailing elite options like Stevens Institute but outperforming the state median by over $11,000. Among the state's 30 business programs, TCNJ offers solid middle-tier performance with notably lower debt than the typical New Jersey graduate ($25,000 state median). The school's selectivity and strong academic profile (1247 average SAT) suggest graduates enter the job market with solid credentials.
For families weighing options, this represents a reliable path to upper-middle-class earnings without excessive debt burden. The strong earnings growth pattern indicates graduates successfully advance in their careers, making this a sound investment for students seeking business leadership roles in the competitive Northeast market.
Where The College of New Jersey Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all business administration, management and operations bachelors's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How The College of New Jersey graduates compare to all programs nationally
The College of New Jersey graduates earn $56k, placing them in the 86th percentile of all business administration, management and operations bachelors programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in New Jersey
Business Administration, Management and Operations bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New Jersey (30 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The College of New Jersey | $56,286 | $81,674 | $23,250 | 0.41 |
| Stevens Institute of Technology | $70,694 | $100,049 | $27,000 | 0.38 |
| Thomas Edison State University | $69,147 | $67,245 | $12,500 | 0.18 |
| Rutgers University-Newark | $58,896 | $77,221 | $23,250 | 0.39 |
| Rutgers University-New Brunswick | $58,896 | $77,221 | $23,250 | 0.39 |
| Rutgers University-Camden | $58,896 | $77,221 | $23,250 | 0.39 |
| National Median | $45,703 | — | $26,000 | 0.57 |
Other Business Administration, Management and Operations Programs in New Jersey
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across New Jersey schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken | $60,952 | $70,694 | $27,000 |
| Thomas Edison State University Trenton | $6,638 | $69,147 | $12,500 |
| Rutgers University-Newark Newark | $16,586 | $58,896 | $23,250 |
| Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick | $17,239 | $58,896 | $23,250 |
| Rutgers University-Camden Camden | $17,079 | $58,896 | $23,250 |
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 424 graduates with reported earnings and 389 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.