2026 Best Value Finance Schools in New Jersey
[Finance](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/finance-financial-management/finance/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for finance students.
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2026 Best Value Finance Schools in New Jersey
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in finance, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Finance Schools
For return on investment in finance, no school beat Essex County College this year. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,415 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Finance graduates carry a median of $12,472 in student loans. Finance graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $37,915 early in their careers. Set against $12,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes New Jersey City University one of the best values for finance. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,460. Finance graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $44,160. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Kean University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Students borrow a median of $24,688 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $46,685. Set against $24,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Peters College earned it the #4 place for finance. Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jersey City. In-state tuition and fees average $42,552. Finance graduates carry a median of $22,969 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Saint Peters College generally make around $50,944. That is a strong return on a $22,969 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in finance, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,010. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $25,000. Finance graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn a median of $52,729 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University Camden came in at #6 for value in finance this year. Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Camden. Students from in state pay about $17,764 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,276. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Rutgers University Camden generally make around $68,338. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey earned the #7 position for value in finance this year. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Students borrow a median of $22,234 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn a median of $49,895 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,234 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rutgers University Newark ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Rutgers University Newark is a large public school located in the city of Newark. Students from in state pay about $17,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,762 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Rutgers University Newark earn a median of $68,338 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the rural area of Galloway. In-state tuition and fees average $16,266, while out-of-state students pay about $24,524. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $43,490. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey landed the #10 spot for finance value this year. Located in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $16,777 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,708 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $24,014 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Ramapo College Of New Jersey generally make around $48,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ramapo College Of New Jersey admits about 71% of applicants.
Rowan University landed the #11 spot for finance value this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $51,486. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #12 for value in finance this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $68,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Set in the suburb of Madison, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,468. Finance graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Finance graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham earn a median of $52,729 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham admits about 95% of applicants.
Rider University placed #14 among the best values for finance. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,120. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Rider University generally make around $57,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rider University admits about 79% of applicants.
Seton Hall University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Orange. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,170. Finance graduates carry a median of $22,808 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $75,857. That is a strong return on a $22,808 median debt. Seton Hall University admits about 73% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
