The College of New Jersey vs Ramapo College of New Jersey: which has better ROI?
Ramapo College of New Jersey has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $72,692 in 3.8 years versus 4.4 years at The College of New Jersey, on median earnings of $67,541 vs $73,323 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | The College of New Jersey | Ramapo College of New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $27,646 | $18,173 |
| Total net cost | $110,584 | $72,692 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $73,323 | $67,541 |
| Median debt | $23,250 | $21,000 |
| Payback | 4.4 yrs | 3.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $388,676 | $310,928 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, The College of New Jersey or Ramapo College of New Jersey?
Ramapo College of New Jersey, at $18,173 a year after aid versus $27,646 — a gap of $9,473 a year, or $37,892 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do The College of New Jersey or Ramapo College of New Jersey graduates earn more?
The College of New Jersey graduates report a median $73,323 ten years after entry, $5,782 more than the $67,541 at Ramapo College of New Jersey. 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, The College of New Jersey or Ramapo College of New Jersey?
Ramapo College of New Jersey: its completers carry a median $21,000 in federal loans versus $23,250 at The College of New Jersey, 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?
86% of students finish at The College of New Jersey, against 70% at Ramapo College of New Jersey. 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.