Business Administration, Management and Operations at Thomas Edison State University

Thomas Edison State University's graduates are earning substantially more than their peers—$46,000 one year out puts them in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th percentile in New Jersey, where most comparable associate programs produce median earnings around $33,000. That's a meaningful premium, roughly $13,000 more than the typical New Jersey graduate in this field. The debt load of $14,909 is moderate, translating to just 32 cents of debt for every dollar earned in the first year, well below levels that typically create financial stress.

What makes these numbers particularly interesting is the earnings trajectory: graduates see their income jump 48% by year four, reaching $68,000. That kind of growth is unusual for an associate degree and suggests graduates are either advancing within organizations or leveraging the credential as a stepping stone. However, the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates in this cohort—means these results may not hold for every student. The program could be attracting particularly driven students or those with existing work experience who use the degree to formalize credentials.

For parents evaluating this program, the risk-reward calculation looks favorable if the pattern holds. The debt is manageable even if earnings come in lower than the median, and the upside potential appears strong. Just understand you're betting on limited data, which means outcomes could vary more than at programs with larger track records.