2027 Best Value General Education Schools in New Jersey
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/education-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general education schools.
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2027 Best Value General Education Schools in New Jersey
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Education Schools
Leading the list is Middlesex County College, our #1 best value for general education in New Jersey. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. General Education graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. General Education graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $16,846 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Passaic County Community College earned it the #2 place for general education. Set in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,560 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $9,581. General Education graduates of Passaic County Community College earn a median of $28,957 early in their careers. Set against $9,581 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Salem Community College one of the best values for general education. Set in the suburb of Carneys Point, Salem Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,360 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,260. General Education graduates carry a median of $17,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Salem Community College generally make around $51,781. That is a strong return on a $17,232 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Brookdale Community College one of the best values for general education. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,270, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $19,157. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Peters College earned it the #5 place for general education. Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jersey City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,552. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $22,969. Early-career general education graduates make about $58,382. That is a strong return on a $22,969 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Montclair State University placed #6 among the best values for general education. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,286 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $61,225 early in their careers. Set against $25,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Gloucester County College came in at #7 for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,160, with out-of-state students paying around $6,000. Students borrow a median of $10,987 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Gloucester County College earn a median of $38,274 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgian Court University earned the #8 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Lakewood, Georgian Court University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,110. Students borrow a median of $24,752 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Georgian Court University generally make around $63,268. That is a strong return on a $24,752 median debt. Georgian Court University admits about 79% of applicants.
Rowan University placed #9 among the best values for general education. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Students borrow a median of $24,488 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $61,640. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,120 in student loans. General Education graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $58,402 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,120 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Monmouth University landed the #11 spot for general education value this year. Set in the suburb of West Long Branch, Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $46,552. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Monmouth University earn a median of $59,382 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Monmouth University admits about 89% of applicants.
Felician College placed #12 among the best values for general education. Set in the suburb of Lodi, Felician College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,300 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. General Education graduates of Felician College earn a median of $56,976 early in their careers. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
