Rankings / MBA
Best MBA Programs in New Jersey
- 23
- Schools
- $65,019
- Avg. Earnings
- 64%
- Avg. Graduation
- $22,681
- Avg. Net Price
- $23,114
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
-
Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $53,038 at the low end to $108,772 at the top. That 2.1× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
-
Kean University offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $57,237 against $12,447 in annual tuition, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
-
The most budget-friendly option on this list is Kean University, at $12,447 annually in tuition.
-
Completion rates separate this field: Stevens Institute of Technology graduates 88% of its students, well above the 64% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
-
Debt-to-earnings ratios favor New Jersey Institute of Technology: graduates owe only 0.25× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Ramapo College of New Jersey ($67,541 earnings), not the highest earner, Stevens Institute of Technology ($108,772). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Kean University ($12,447/yr) and Felician University ($40,045/yr) produce graduates earning $57,237 and $57,602 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $27,598 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Kean University outperforms Stevens Institute of Technology: similar career earnings at a much lower tuition.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the programs that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these programs, begin with Kean University and Stevens Institute of Technology. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
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 $60K within a decade, and management analyst roles are projected to grow 10%. 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
- Chetty, R., Friedman, J., Saez, E., Turner, N., & Yagan, D. (2017). Mobility Report Cards: The Role of Colleges in Intergenerational Mobility. NBER Working Paper No. 23618.
- U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics.
- National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
- U.S. News & World Report. Best Business Schools MBA Rankings. Used for MBA program validation.
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 ▲ +4% vs avg | $18,173 | 71% | 78 |
| 2 The College of New Jersey #2 overall | $73,323 ▲ +13% vs avg | $27,646 | 86% | 76 |
| 3 New Jersey Institute of Technology #3 overall | $84,276 ▲ +30% vs avg | $16,504 | 73% | 74 |
| $57,815 ▼ -11% vs avg | $12,199 | 61% | 74 | |
| $108,772 ▲ +67% vs avg | $41,346 | 88% | 74 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best MBA Programs in New Jersey
This analysis ranks 23 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $65,019 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 64% and an average net price of $22,681.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: New Jersey Institute of Technology — Net Price: $16,504 | Graduation Rate: 73%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Stevens Institute of Technology — 88% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Stevens Institute of Technology — Median alumni earnings: $108,772
Data Insight
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Management Education Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about leadership and management education?
$59,988
Median earnings (10yr)
66%
Median graduation rate
$20,670
Median net price
2.9%
Avg. mobility rate
Management education makes a blunt promise: pay now, earn more later. Top-tier programs keep that promise through network effects and placement outcomes. Many others raise earnings barely enough to cover their cost. The spread in outcomes across programs is wider here than in almost any other discipline.
Start with the medians across these 23 programs. Graduates earn a median of $59,988 ten years after enrollment, or about $11,988 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 66%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $20,670 a year with about $22,750 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 39% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 2.9%.
In management education, network effects amplify everything. Graduates earn a median of $59,988 ten years after enrollment, and Ramapo College of New Jersey leads the field. The gap between the top and the middle is wide enough that school selection may be the most consequential financial decision in this category.
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 78/100 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, 4% 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 76/100 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, 13% 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
New Jersey Institute of Technology lands at #3 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $84,276 a decade after enrolling, 30% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,504 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Saint Peter's University lands at #4 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $57,815 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,199 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 #5
Stevens Institute of Technology lands at #5 with a 74/100 composite, led by academic quality (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (31/100). Graduates earn a median $108,772 a decade after enrolling, 67% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,346 a year, above 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 #6
Seton Hall University lands at #6 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, 8% 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 #7
Montclair State University lands at #7 with a 73/100 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, 6% 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 #8
Centenary University lands at #8 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $53,726 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,503 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
Kean University lands at #9 with a 72/100 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, 12% 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 #10
Monmouth University lands at #10 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, 5% 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 #11
Rowan University lands at #11 with a 71/100 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, 8% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Rider University lands at #12 with a 71/100 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, 4% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Wayne, NJ · 90% accepted · $18,745 net
Why it ranks #13
William Paterson University of New Jersey lands at #13 with a 70/100 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, 11% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Caldwell University lands at #14 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, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,691 a year, above the field. 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 #15
Rutgers University-Newark lands at #15 with a 69/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (74/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $74,479 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,703 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Rutgers University-Camden lands at #16 with a 67/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (74/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $74,479 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,745 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Rutgers University-New Brunswick lands at #17 with a 67/100 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, 15% 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 #18
Georgian Court University lands at #18 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $53,096 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,285 a year, well under the field. 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 #19
Stockton University lands at #19 with a 64/100 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, 11% 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
Why it ranks #20
Saint Elizabeth University lands at #20 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $53,038 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,125 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
Madison, NJ · 95% accepted · $22,829 net
Why it ranks #21
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus lands at #21 with a 61/100 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, 12% 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
Teaneck, NJ · 91% accepted · $15,404 net
Why it ranks #22
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus lands at #22 with a 60/100 composite, led by value per dollar (67/100) and pulled down by social mobility (54/100). Graduates earn a median $57,273 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,404 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Felician University lands at #23 with a 60/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (28/100). Graduates earn a median $57,602 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $40,045 a year, above the field. 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 23 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 Management Analysts and related roles — a field with $99,410 median pay and 10% projected growth.
See the Management Analyst career guide →When considering an MBA program in New Jersey, prospective students are often looking for a blend of quality education and strong outcomes. With 23 different programs on offer, it’s essential to understand which schools provide the best return on investment as graduates enter an increasingly competitive job market.
The standout programs in this list are distinguished by critical factors: earnings potential, graduation rates, net price, and student debt levels. These metrics help paint a clearer picture of what to expect after graduation. For example, the average earnings for graduates from these programs are $65,019, while the average graduation rate sits at 64%. Understanding how these figures interrelate can guide students toward making informed decisions.
Take Ramapo College of New Jersey and the New Jersey Institute of Technology, for instance. Ramapo graduates earn an average of $67,541, but with a graduation rate of 71% and a net price of $18,173, it's a compelling option. In contrast, NJIT graduates enjoy a higher earning potential at $84,276, yet also face a lower graduation rate of 73% and a similar debt load of $21,000. These differences highlight the trade-offs students must consider as they weigh their options.
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 17 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 2.9%. New Jersey Institute of Technology leads the group at 6.5%, with Saint Peter's University (5.5%) and Stevens Institute of Technology (4.3%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 8.8% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Saint Peter's University leads at 20.5%, 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 35.5% across this list. New Jersey Institute of Technology posts the highest success rate at 63.8%. 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 1.68 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
When examining MBA programs in New Jersey, a key takeaway lies in the graduation rates and earnings potential. For instance, while both Rutgers University-Newark and Rutgers University-Camden have similar earnings of $74,479, Newark has a slightly lower graduation rate at 66% compared to Camden's 67%. This indicates that while both schools provide similar financial outcomes, Camden might be more effective in supporting students through to graduation.
As you sift through these options, consider how the data aligns with your priorities. If financial considerations are paramount, look closely at net prices and debt levels. For example, Ramapo College's net price of $18,173 is significantly lower compared to Rutgers University-New Brunswick's $24,406. Balance these financial metrics with your career aspirations and personal circumstances to choose a program that fits your needs best.
These decisions matter. The data reflects not just numbers but the potential for a stable future. One family’s choice of NJIT could lead to higher earning potential, while another’s preference for Ramapo might emphasize affordability and support. Each program represents a unique path toward securing a better life, one that requires careful thought and consideration.
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 MBA Programs in New Jersey: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best MBA Programs in New Jersey ranking? +
Ramapo College of New Jersey in Mahwah, NJ ranks #1 in our 2026 Best MBA Programs 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 program has the highest graduate earnings? +
Stevens Institute of Technology posts the highest median earnings on this list: $108,772 ten years after enrollment, well above the $65,019 average across the 23 ranked programs with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which program offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Kean University leads: graduates earn a median $57,237 against tuition 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? +
Stevens Institute of Technology has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 88%, compared with a 64% 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 an MBA cost at these schools? +
Across the 4 programs with verified tuition, annual MBA tuition averages $29,326, ranging from about $23,076 a year at New Jersey Institute of Technology to $37,635 at Stevens Institute of Technology. These are tuition figures pulled from official program pages (in-state where the school is public), not estimated net price.
How is the Best MBA Programs 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 23 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
Chetty, R., Friedman, J., Saez, E., Turner, N., & Yagan, D. (2017). Mobility Report Cards: The Role of Colleges in Intergenerational Mobility. NBER Working Paper No. 23618. →
U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics. →
National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). →
U.S. News & World Report. Best Business Schools MBA Rankings. Used for MBA program validation. →
Related Rankings
