Rankings / By State
Best Communications Colleges in New Jersey
- 14
- Schools
- $63,180
- Avg. Earnings
- 67%
- Avg. Graduation
- $22,792
- Avg. Net Price
- $23,250
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 14 schools run from $53,843 to $74,479, a 1.4× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Kean University delivers the most for the money: roughly $57,237 in median earnings against $12,447 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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The most affordable option, Kean University ($12,447 net price), still posts $57,237 in earnings, at or above the list average. Paying more does not guarantee a better outcome.
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The College of New Jersey graduates 86% of its students, versus a 67% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Rutgers University-New Brunswick carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.29× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Ramapo College of New Jersey ($67,541 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Rutgers University-New Brunswick ($74,479), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- Kean University costs $12,447 a year and Seton Hall University costs $31,446. Yet their graduates earn $57,237 and $70,196, nowhere near the $18,999 price gap.
- On value, Kean University beats Rutgers University-New Brunswick: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with Kean University and The College of New Jersey. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
Why this ranking matters
Business is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $62K within a decade, and pr specialist roles are projected to grow 6%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Ramapo College of New Jersey #1 overall | $67,541 ▲ +7% vs avg | $18,173 | 71% | 76 |
| 2 The College of New Jersey #2 overall | $73,323 ▲ +16% vs avg | $27,646 | 86% | 75 |
| 3 Montclair State University #3 overall | $61,415 ▼ -3% vs avg | $15,566 | 64% | 74 |
| $63,646 ▲ +1% vs avg | $24,280 | 71% | 73 | |
| $70,196 ▲ +11% vs avg | $31,446 | 70% | 73 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Communications Colleges in New Jersey
This analysis ranks 14 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $63,180 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 67% and an average net price of $22,792.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Kean University — Net Price: $12,447 | Graduation Rate: 45%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: The College of New Jersey — 86% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Rutgers University-New Brunswick — Median alumni earnings: $74,479
CollegeRanker Primary Research
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Humanities & Creative Fields Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the value of a humanities and creative education?
$61,812
Median earnings (10yr)
70%
Median graduation rate
$23,555
Median net price
2.5%
Avg. mobility rate
Arts, communications, and humanities programs draw perpetual skepticism about their payoff. Early earnings do start lower, and the path is less linear. The core skills compound, though. Writing, judgment, persuasion, and creative problem-solving gain value over a career, and they are the abilities automation has been slowest to replicate.
The median graduation rate across these 14 schools is 70%. Median graduate earnings reach $61,812 ten years after enrollment, roughly $13,812 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $23,555 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $23,000. Some 36% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 2.5%.
What we’re seeing: outcomes in these fields vary widely, and affordability matters most precisely where early earnings start slow. Median earnings of $61,812 ten years after enrollment against a $23,555 net price show why low cost is the lever that turns a humanities degree into a clear win.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Ramapo College of New Jersey lands at #1 with a 76/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (65/100). Graduates earn a median $67,541 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,173 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
The College of New Jersey lands at #2 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $73,323 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,646 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Montclair State University lands at #3 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $61,415 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,566 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Drew University lands at #4 with a 73/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $63,646 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,280 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Seton Hall University lands at #5 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $70,196 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,446 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Rowan University lands at #6 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $59,988 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,408 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Monmouth University lands at #7 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $67,991 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,988 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Kean University lands at #8 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $57,237 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,447 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Rider University lands at #9 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $62,208 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,792 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Wayne, NJ · 90% accepted · $18,745 net
Why it ranks #10
William Paterson University of New Jersey lands at #10 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $57,780 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,745 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Caldwell University lands at #11 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $53,843 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,691 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Rutgers University-New Brunswick lands at #12 with a 65/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $74,479 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,406 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Stockton University lands at #13 with a 62/100 composite, led by academic quality (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $57,602 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,670 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Madison, NJ · 95% accepted · $22,829 net
Why it ranks #14
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus lands at #14 with a 59/100 composite, led by academic quality (68/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $57,273 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,829 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 14 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become PR Specialists and related roles — a field with $67,440 median pay and 6% projected growth.
See the PR Specialist career guide →Communications programs in New Jersey have become increasingly important as students seek to develop their skills in a rapidly evolving media landscape. With a focus on effective messaging and digital strategy, the right school can set the stage for a successful career in this competitive field.
The best schools in this list distinguish themselves through strong outcomes like high graduation rates, solid earnings, and manageable debt levels. As you explore the rankings below, consider how these metrics reflect the quality of education and potential return on investment for each program.
For instance, Rutgers University-New Brunswick stands out with an impressive $74,479 average earnings and an 84% graduation rate, while Montclair State University, despite being a solid option, shows lower earnings at $61,415 and a 64% graduation rate. This contrast highlights how specific choices can significantly impact future opportunities.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 11 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 2.5%. Kean University leads the group at 3.4%, with Seton Hall University (3.2%) and Montclair State University (3.2%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 6.8% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Kean University leads at 11.1%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 38.9% across this list. Drew University posts the highest success rate at 56.5%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.72 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Monmouth University reaches 1.84, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Despite being in the same state, Rutgers University-New Brunswick and Montclair State University showcase a significant difference in outcomes. Rutgers graduates earn an average of $74,479, while Montclair State students earn $61,415. This gap illustrates how program strength can lead to higher earnings and highlight the importance of researching each school's offerings.
As you weigh your options among these schools, think about your own priorities. Consider factors like program fit, campus culture, and financial implications. For example, a school with a lower net price might seem appealing, but if it leads to lower earnings post-graduation, the long-term benefits may not add up.
Ultimately, this data underscores the critical role that education plays in paving the way to a stable life. Choosing the right college is a significant decision for any family, and understanding these outcomes can help guide that choice toward a future of financial stability.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Communications Colleges in New Jersey: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Communications Colleges in New Jersey ranking? +
Ramapo College of New Jersey in Mahwah, NJ ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Communications Colleges in New Jersey ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $67,541 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 71% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Rutgers University-New Brunswick posts the highest median earnings on this list: $74,479 ten years after enrollment, well above the $63,180 average across the 14 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Kean University leads: graduates earn a median $57,237 against net price of about $12,447 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
The College of New Jersey has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 86%, compared with a 67% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $22,792 a year across the 14 ranked schools with cost data. Kean University is among the most affordable at roughly $12,447. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Communications Colleges in New Jersey ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 14 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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