2026 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 18 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general education students.
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2026 Best Value General Education Schools in New Jersey
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Middlesex County College the best value for a degree in general education in New Jersey. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $7,000. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $16,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brookdale Community College earned it the #2 place for general education. Set in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,270, with out-of-state students paying around $10,140. General Education graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $19,157. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Passaic County Community College one of the best values for general education. Set in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,300, with out-of-state students paying around $10,560. General Education graduates carry a median of $9,581 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $28,957. That is a strong return on a $9,581 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at Salem Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Carneys Point, Salem Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,360 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,260. General Education graduates carry a median of $17,232 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $51,781. That is a strong return on a $17,232 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Montclair State University one of the best values for general education. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,286 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $61,225. That is a strong return on a $25,286 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Gloucester County College earned the #6 position for value in general education this year. Set in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,160, compared with $6,000 for out-of-state students. 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.
Saint Peters College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. 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. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $22,969. General Education graduates of Saint Peters College earn a median of $58,382 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Georgian Court University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. 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. General Education graduates carry a median of $24,752 in student loans. General Education graduates of Georgian Court University earn a median of $63,268 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Rowan University earned the #9 position for value in general education this year. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Students borrow a median of $24,488 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $61,640. That is a strong return on a $24,488 median debt. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
Monmouth University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the suburb of West Long Branch, Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $46,552 in tuition and fees. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Monmouth University admits about 89% of applicants.
More General Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
