2026 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in New Jersey

[Higher Education/Higher Education Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/higher-education-higher-education-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for higher education/higher education administration students.
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2026 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in New Jersey
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the higher education/higher education administration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools
Our analysis ranked Saint Peters College the best value for a degree in higher education/higher education administration in New Jersey. Set in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,552. Students borrow a median of $22,969 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $76,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in higher education/higher education administration will find it at Montclair State University, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $25,286 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $78,952 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,286 median debt. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Teaneck. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,010. Students borrow a median of $24,770 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $54,505. That is a strong return on a $24,770 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in higher education/higher education administration will find it at William Paterson University Of New Jersey, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,704, compared with $25,344 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $25,644 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $61,997. That is a strong return on a $25,644 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,120 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $58,402 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Rider University earned the #6 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,120. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $26,241. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Rider University earn a median of $48,601 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,241 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Seton Hall University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Set in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,170. Students borrow a median of $23,422 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Seton Hall University earn a median of $103,459 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Seton Hall University admits about 73% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.