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Kean University vs Jersey College: which has better ROI?

Public, Union NJ · vs · Private for-profit, Teterboro NJ

The verdict

Kean University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $49,788 in 5.6 years versus 5.9 years at Jersey College, on median earnings of $57,237 vs $66,087 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureKean UniversityJersey College
Net price / yr$12,447$52,558
Total net cost$49,788$105,116
Median earnings, 10 yrs$57,237$66,087
Median debt$23,250$21,000
Payback5.6 yrs5.9 yrs
20-year net return$127,752$249,424

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Kean University or Jersey College?

Kean University, at $12,447 a year after aid versus $52,558 — a gap of $40,111 a year, or $55,328 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Kean University or Jersey College graduates earn more?

Jersey College graduates report a median $66,087 ten years after entry, $8,850 more than the $57,237 at Kean University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Kean University or Jersey College?

Jersey College: its completers carry a median $21,000 in federal loans versus $23,250 at Kean University, a difference of $2,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

47% of students finish at Kean University, against 45% at Jersey College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Kean University vs Jersey College: frequently asked questions

Is Kean University or Jersey College a better value?
Kean University. It clears its $49,788 net cost in about 5.6 years versus 5.9 years at Jersey College, on median earnings of $57,237 vs $66,087 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Kean University or Jersey College?
Kean University: $12,447/yr net price after aid versus $52,558/yr at Jersey College — a difference of $40,111 a year, or about $55,328 over four years.
Do Kean University or Jersey College graduates earn more?
Jersey College graduates earn a median $66,087 ten years after entry, versus $57,237 at Kean University — a $8,850 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.