2027 Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools in New Jersey
[Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/kindergarten-preschool-education-and-teaching/) 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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching students.
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2027 Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools in New Jersey
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools
Our analysis ranked Essex County College the best value for a degree in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching in New Jersey. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,415 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,472 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $23,768 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,472 median debt.
Raritan Valley Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,400 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at County College Of Morris earned it the #3 place for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,210, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $9,420 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $30,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kean University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $48,705. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
New Jersey City University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. Students borrow a median of $22,107 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $47,083. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Jersey City University admits about 98% of applicants.
The College Of New Jersey came in at #6 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,632, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $56,617. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The College Of New Jersey admits about 62% of applicants.
Felician College earned the #7 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. 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. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $56,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
