Best Political Science and Government Degrees in New Jersey by ROI
Colleges in New Jersey ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in New Jersey
16
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$169,756
Across New Jersey programs
Average Annual Cost
$42,173
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Princeton University
Grad rate: 97.3% |
+$160,920 | $66,134 | $80,440 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
The College of New Jersey
Grad rate: 85.5% |
+$12,666 | $51,777 | $37,070 | $25,625 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
New Jersey City University
Grad rate: 38.7% |
+$108 | $46,739 | $23,668 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Drew University
Grad rate: 73.0% |
-$50,382 | $53,579 | $61,378 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus
Grad rate: 57.3% |
-$149,344 | $44,091 | $47,791 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Montclair State University
Grad rate: 64.8% |
-$162,424 | $40,819 | $25,926 | $26,000 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus
Grad rate: 67.6% |
-$169,540 | $44,091 | $52,840 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Rutgers University-Newark
Grad rate: 66.9% |
-$180,789 | $41,343 | $33,749 | $24,188 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Rutgers University-Camden
Grad rate: 65.7% |
-$181,041 | $41,343 | $33,812 | $24,188 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Grad rate: 84.7% |
-$186,721 | $41,343 | $35,232 | $24,188 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Kean University
Grad rate: 47.0% |
-$260,966 | $35,759 | $24,924 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Monmouth University
Grad rate: 69.2% |
-$261,162 | $42,787 | $60,113 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
William Paterson University of New Jersey
Grad rate: 51.9% |
-$268,460 | $35,643 | $26,555 | $26,000 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Stockton University
Grad rate: 73.7% |
-$306,617 | $34,564 | $32,159 | $21,675 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Rowan University
Grad rate: 68.2% |
-$321,301 | $34,396 | $34,116 | $24,265 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Political Science and Government Degrees by State
Browse Political Science and Government programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.