Best New Jersey Colleges & Universities for 2017

As one of the oldest states in the country, New Jersey has built up a competitive higher education system, one that offers prospective students a range of educational choices. From small, professionally oriented community colleges to large, nationally recognized public universities, students can find a school that meets their future professional goals. Learn more about colleges in New Jersey, compare institutions using our search tool, read about popular cities to attend school and get further information into the real costs of going to college in the state.

New Jersey College Leaderboard: 2017 Rankings

Selecting a college to attend can be a challenging proposition. Each college has its own unique selling points and drawbacks and tuition never tells the entire story. To help students make an informed decision, we have compiled a list of the best colleges in New Jersey based on a blend of factors – from graduation rate to tuition, academic program availability to student-teacher ratios.

Methodology +

• 2-Year Colleges
• 4-Year Colleges

Rank	School Name	Score	Tuition Fees	Alumni Earnings	Student/Teacher Ratio	Gift Financial Aid	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate	# Online Programs	# Total Programs	Placement Services	Credit for Experience
1	Rowan College at Burlington County	99.50	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $34,600	24:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 5%	22%	N/A	2	50	Yes	Yes
2	Mercer County Community College	98.11	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $33,700	18:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 1%	13%	N/A	2	64	Yes	Yes
3	Raritan Valley Community College	96.45	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $38,300	21:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 3%	19%	N/A	0	63	No	Yes
4	Camden County College	95.73	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $31,900	25:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 1%	14%	N/A	2	90	Yes	Yes
5	Salem Community College	95.46	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $25,800	17:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 10%	25%	N/A	0	32	Yes	Yes
6	Middlesex County College	95.07	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $36,200	20:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 1%	14%	N/A	0	62	Yes	No
7	County College of Morris	94.42	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $40,200	19:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 4%	22%	N/A	0	33	Yes	Yes
8	Brookdale Community College	93.82	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $32,900	21:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 5%	21%	N/A	3	53	No	Yes
9	Sussex County Community College	93.51	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $32,600	19:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 6%	21%	N/A	0	22	Yes	Yes
10	Ocean County College	93.31	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $31,700	26:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 4%	29%	N/A	9	36	Yes	Yes
11	Cumberland County College	92.99	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $31,600	23:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 3%	21%	N/A	1	41	Yes	Yes
12	Bergen Community College	92.34	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $35,500	19:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. N/A	17%	N/A	2	58	Yes	No
13	Union County College	91.59	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $32,300	26:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 7%	7%	N/A	0	44	Yes	No
14	Passaic County Community College	91.48	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,700	21:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 13%	11%	N/A	4	30	Yes	Yes
15	Essex County College	91.46	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $31,000	24:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 4%	8%	N/A	0	43	Yes	Yes
16	Atlantic Cape Community College	91.44	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $28,800	21:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 4%	15%	N/A	6	42	Yes	Yes
17	Rowan College at Gloucester County	89.95	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $34,200	29:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. N/A	22%	N/A	0	43	No	Yes
18	Warren County Community College	89.26	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $31,300	17:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. N/A	20%	N/A	0	28	Yes	Yes
19	Hudson County Community College	86.00	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $28,500	37:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 1%	9%	N/A	0	27	Yes	Yes

Rank	School Name	Score	Tuition Fees	Alumni Earnings	Student/Teacher Ratio	Gift Financial Aid	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate	# Online Programs	# Total Programs	Placement Services	Credit for Experience
1	Princeton University	99.73	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $75,100	6:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 62%	96%	7%	0	78	No	No
2	Stevens Institute of Technology	99.52	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $82,800	10:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 96%	78%	44%	0	62	Yes	No
3	The College of New Jersey	97.86	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $56,800	13:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 46%	87%	49%	0	58	Yes	Yes
4	Rutgers University-New Brunswick	97.36	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $54,800	16:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 47%	79%	60%	11	199	Yes	No
5	Rutgers University-Newark	96.50	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $54,800	11:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 43%	61%	63%	1	68	Yes	No
6	Seton Hall University	96.27	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $53,300	14:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 97%	67%	76%	11	101	Yes	No
7	Rutgers University-Camden	95.95	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $54,800	11:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 67%	63%	60%	0	51	Yes	No
8	Drew University	95.89	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $50,900	9:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 96%	69%	70%	0	41	Yes	No
9	Rider University	94.71	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $48,100	12:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 98%	67%	71%	0	76	No	Yes
10	Rowan University	94.48	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $48,800	17:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 52%	72%	44%	9	75	Yes	No
11	Monmouth University	94.17	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $50,300	14:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 100%	64%	74%	2	51	Yes	Yes
12	New Jersey Institute of Technology	93.21	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $65,300	17:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 46%	54%	63%	7	70	Yes	No
13	College of Saint Elizabeth	92.90	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $44,900	12:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 100%	54%	58%	1	32	Yes	Yes
14	Saint Peter’s University	92.50	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $44,500	13:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 99%	52%	57%	1	60	Yes	Yes
15	Caldwell University	92.30	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $46,200	12:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 98%	51%	64%	2	41	Yes	Yes
16	Montclair State University	91.78	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $48,700	17:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 7%	63%	67%	1	102	Yes	No
17	Ramapo College of New Jersey	91.32	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $48,700	18:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 37%	73%	53%	0	42	Yes	Yes
18	Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus	90.63	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $46,800	13:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 88%	47%	80%	2	76	No	Yes
19	Georgian Court University	90.02	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $45,700	12:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 88%	49%	68%	2	40	Yes	No
20	Kean University	89.92	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $46,800	17:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 12%	50%	70%	0	85	Yes	Yes
21	William Paterson University of New Jersey	89.60	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $44,300	14:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 32%	48%	75%	1	68	Yes	No
22	Stockton University	89.56	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $46,800	17:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 31%	65%	65%	0	45	Yes	No
23	New Jersey City University	88.33	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $41,900	14:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 17%	34%	77%	1	51	Yes	Yes
24	Thomas Edison State University	87.58	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $49,100	15:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. N/A	N/A	N/A	22	22	No	Yes
25	Felician College	87.21	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $41,400	14:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 100%	42%	84%	1	35	Yes	Yes
26	Bloomfield College	86.11	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $39,000	16:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 99%	37%	63%	0	18	Yes	Yes
27	Centenary College	86.00	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $41,600	17:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 100%	49%	82%	3	29	Yes	Yes

Explore & Research New Jersey Colleges

Finding a school that supports a student’s academic needs is vital to setting the stage for future professional success. Individuals interested in attending colleges in New Jersey can use the search tool below to compare different institutions based on their size, location and tuition and find one that best fits their requirements.

Cost of College in New Jersey: How Does It Stack Up?

The tuition sticker price does not represent how much a student will pay to attend college in New Jersey. Cost of attendance varies based on additional fees and the amount of financial aid the student receives. Learn more about the average tuition at New Jersey’s colleges and how it measures against national averages.

New Jersey’s Most Affordable Colleges

There’s no two ways about it. College is expensive. However, tuition does not have to break the bank and students may be surprised at the number of affordable postsecondary options in the state. Below, we have created a list of the state’s most affordable universities, along with a comparison to national affordability averages.

• 1
  
  Talmudical Academy-New Jersey$3,484
• 2
  
  Yeshiva Toras Chaim$3,585
• 3
  
  Bais Medrash Toras Chesed$6,128

• 4
  
  Yeshiva Gedolah Zichron Leyma$7,050
• 5
  
  Princeton University$8,413
• 6
  
  Rabbi Jacob Joseph School$8,415

Average
Annual Net
Price

Cost for students awarded federal financial aid, after school and government aid is deducted. At public colleges, only applies to in-state students.

New Jersey College Net Price vs. National Average

$17,051

Average Annual Net Price

$18,073

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

New Jersey Colleges with Top Alumni Earnings

College is a significant investment, one that can easily surpass $100,000 in four years of study. Before enrolling, students should get a better idea of the earning potential of graduates at the school’s they are considering. Use the charts below to learn more about the median earnings of graduates in New Jersey ten years after graduation and how the state compares nationally.

• 1
  
  Stevens Institute of Technology$82,800
• 2
  
  Princeton University$75,100
• 3
  
  New Jersey Institute of Technology$65,300

• 4
  
  The College of New Jersey$56,800
• 5
  
  Rutgers University (All campuses)$54,800
• 6
  
  Seton Hall University$53,300

Annual
Median Earnings
10 Years
After Entering
College

Only includes former students who received federal financial aid.

New Jersey Alumni Salaries vs. National Average

$48,926

Annual Median Earnings 10 Years After Entering College

$42,759

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Best New Jersey Colleges for Minimizing College Debt

New Jersey college students, on average, graduate with nearly $30,000 in student debt, according to The Institute for College Access and Success. It is vital prospective students have firm knowledge of what their college education will cost and how much debt they may have to assume to attend their selected college. The charts below provide details into the student debt rates both in New Jersey and nationwide.

• 1
  
  Thomas Edison State College$11,289
• 2
  
  New Jersey City University$18,000
• 3
  
  Rowan University$21,146

• 4
  
  New Jersey Institute of Technology$21,182
• 5
  
  Stockton University$21,500
• 6
  
  Ramapo College of New Jersey$22,193

Median
Federal Student
Loan Debt After
Graduation

Only for undergraduates who completed college; does not include Parent-PLUS loans.

New Jersey College Grad Debt Vs. National Average

$22,636

Median Federal Student Loan Debt After Graduation

$23,145

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

New Jersey Cost of Living: College Expenses Beyond Tuition

It is no secret that New Jersey has some of the highest cost-of-living rates in the country. Prospective New Jersey college students should have a realistic understanding of how much it actually costs to attend college in the state. Rent, groceries, utilities and transportation represent major categories that could affect where a student decides to attend school. Use the comparison table below to learn how the state compares nationally to cost-of-living figures.

Source: The Council for Community and Economic Research

Accrediting Agencies for Colleges in New Jersey

When students are reviewing their college options, they should keep accreditation in mind. In addition to educational quality, accreditation can affect a student’s ability to transfer credits between colleges and their eligibility for attending graduate school. At the institutional level, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) accredits colleges in New Jersey. The MSCHE ensures schools meet academic standards, adhere to institutional accountability and continually appraise student learning. Along with university-level accreditation, individual academic programs undergo a separate programmatic review. Example of program-level accrediting bodies include the following:

• Engineering Accreditation Commission (ABET) Accredits undergraduate programs in civil, chemical, aerospace, electrical and mechanical engineering at Princeton University.
• Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Accredits graduate program in counseling services in the School of Education at Rider University.

Popular College Cities in New Jersey

Jersey City

The second biggest city in New Jersey, Jersey City has a population of approximately 260,000 residents. It is a growing urban hub and one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the state. With its relatively low cost of living in relationship to its neighbor, New York City, the region is attracting new industry investments in technology, fashion, marketing and finance. Students can take advantage of a diverse higher education system that includes public and private community colleges, four-year universities, schools of allied health and career training institutes.

College Name	School Type	Annual Net Price	Annual Median Earnings 10 Years After College Only includes former students who received federal financial aid.
St. Peter's University	Private not-for-profit	$15,289	$44,500
A private Jesuit college, St. Peter's University was founded in 1872. As one of only 28 Jesuit colleges in the county, St. Peter's offers more than 60 total degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. It boasts a student-teacher ratio of 12:1 and has a student enrollment of approximately 3,300 students. The school also has pre-professional program agreements with Seton Hall University, Rutgers University and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
New Jersey City College	Public	$7,239	$28,500
A four-year public college, New Jersey City College opened its door in 1929. Approximately 9,000 students study on its 57-acre campus. Offering a diverse array of 41 degree programs, students can select majors ranging from criminal justice to economics, nursing to multicultural education. The university has a 14:1 student-teacher ratio in its three major colleges: College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education and College of Professional Studies.
Hudson County Community College	Public	$10,966	$41,900
Founded in 1974, Hudson County Community College is a public community college with 9,000 students situated on an urban campus. Students can choose from more than 300 daytime, evening and weekend courses that lead to associate degrees and certificates in 72 different majors. The school has a specialized articulation agreement in the culinary arts with New Jersey City University and Fairleigh Dickinson University. This program is the only two-year program accredited by the American Culinary Federation.

Newark

Newark is New Jersey's largest city with a population nearing 300,000 residents. Approximately 60,000 students attend college in the area - making the city one of the state's major educational hubs. There are six universities in the immediate region and 24 higher education institutions within a 20-mile drive. University Heights Science Park, a higher education collaborative, is a $350 million project set to open with high-tech office space and laboratories, high school, incubator space and housing.

College Name	School Type	Annual Net Price	Annual Median Earnings 10 Years After College Only includes former students who received federal financial aid.
Rutgers University	Public	$12,762	$54,800
One of the largest universities in New Hampshire, Rutgers University is a four-year public research institution with an enrollment of more than 7,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Situated on a 106-acre campus, students can pursue academic studies in more than 90 undergraduate, graduate and professional programs across the institution's seven colleges and schools.
Essex County College	Public	$4,065	$31,000
Essex County College is a two-year community college located in University Heights, the heart of Newark. The campus covers three college blocks and includes a police academy in Cedar Grove and a campus in West Caldwell. Launched in 1968, the college is accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. It offers certificate and associate degree programs, with 48 different academic areas of study. Students can choose from majors ranging from allied health to engineering technologies.
New Jersey Institute of Technology	Public	$17,467	$65,300
The New Jersey Institute of Technology is a public research university with a 130-year history. Academics focus heavily on research. The institute serves more than 11,000 students and offers a student-faculty ratio of 18:1. The university supports its 128 undergraduate and graduate degree programs with 1,309 full-time employees. Research and development expenditures topped $110 million in 2015 and the school launched the Enterprise Development Center, the state's largest technology and life science business incubator.

Source: College Scorecard

New Jersey College Resources

It is important students get assistance when planning for college. The resources below offer information into scholarships, financial aid, online classes, credit transfers and more.