Civil Engineering at The College of New Jersey

The College of New Jersey's civil engineering graduates start at $71,649—outpacing the national median by $2,000 and landing right in the middle of New Jersey's competitive engineering market. Among the state's seven programs, this ranks just above the median, though Stevens and Rutgers grads do edge ahead by $2,000-$3,000. The debt picture is particularly strong: at $26,500, graduates carry slightly less than both state and national averages while earning more, producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.37. That means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans with about four and a half months of gross income.

There's an important caveat here: these numbers come from fewer than 30 graduates, so they may not fully represent what every student will experience. That said, the fundamentals look solid—a selective public institution (62% admission rate, 1247 average SAT) delivering outcomes that compete directly with larger, more research-focused universities in the state. At nearly $5,000 above national earnings with below-average debt, this program offers clear value.

For parents weighing options, TCNJ represents a pragmatic middle ground: you're not paying Stevens-level tuition but still accessing New Jersey's robust engineering job market with minimal debt burden. The earnings may not lead the state, but the financial safety net is considerable.