Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) at William Paterson University of New Jersey

Wayne, NJ · Public · Bachelor's Degree
28 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
29
Optimistic
28
Base Case
35
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,326/yr (-23% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (26% exposed)
Job Market Large (44,000 openings/yr)
ROI 8.9x earnings multiple (5.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #30 of 37 Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $545K $542K $511K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.0x 8.9x 8.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.6x 5.5x 5.2x
Probability of Field Employment 52% 50% 44%
DegreeOutlook Score 29 28 35

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$60,600
Out-of-state: $97,856 (5.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$71,056
-17% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,578
70% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $30,326/yr fall 23% below the $39,560 national median for Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate). The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.9x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate)'s typical career paths, with 26% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #30 of 37 Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) programs, William Paterson University of New Jersey falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $51,578 show a 70% jump from the $30,326 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About William Paterson University of New Jersey

William Paterson University of New Jersey has a 93% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 6,526 students in Wayne, NJ. 44% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at William Paterson University of New Jersey →

Top Career Paths

Legal support workers, all other $68,760/yr
Paralegals and legal assistants $61,010/yr
View all 2 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) at Other Schools

Other Majors at William Paterson University of New Jersey

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) at William Paterson University of New Jersey?
A score of 28/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate). Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Can you still earn well with Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) from William Paterson University of New Jersey?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →