Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Thomas Edison State University

Thomas Edison State University delivers something rare in liberal arts: graduates earning nearly $50,000 in their first year—ranking in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th percentile among New Jersey programs. That's $13,000 above the national median and $11,000 above other New Jersey schools offering this degree. With debt under $20,000, graduates face a very manageable 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning they owe less than five months of salary.

The flat earnings trajectory—staying at roughly $50,000 from year one to year four—isn't typical for a degree program, but it's not necessarily alarming given the strong starting point. Many liberal arts graduates see income growth come later in their careers as they leverage the degree's flexibility. The key advantage here is graduating with significantly less debt than peers at other institutions (nearly $7,000 less than the state median) while still commanding higher initial earnings.

For families concerned about liberal arts degrees leading to underemployment, this program offers tangible evidence of value. The combination of below-average debt and above-average earnings puts graduates in a strong financial position from day one, especially compared to the typical liberal arts outcome. This is one of the stronger liberal arts investments in New Jersey.