2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in New Jersey
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for general studies students.
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2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in New Jersey
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Studies Schools
Passaic County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general studies schools in New Jersey. Located in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,300, with out-of-state students paying around $10,560. Students borrow a median of $8,625 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Passaic County Community College earn a median of $25,017 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Atlantic Cape Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,594, with out-of-state students paying around $8,350. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $24,197. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Sussex County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newton. In-state tuition and fees average $5,544, with out-of-state students paying around $9,024. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,375. General Studies graduates of Sussex County Community College earn a median of $27,179 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
County College Of Morris is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. In-state tuition and fees average $6,210, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from County College Of Morris generally make around $30,966. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Ocean County College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Ocean County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Toms River. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,906, while out-of-state students pay about $6,970. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,749 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Ocean County College earn a median of $25,647 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus landed the #6 spot for general studies value this year. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Teaneck. Students from in state pay about $37,010 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus generally make around $31,469. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Somerset Christian College placed #7 among the best values for general studies. Somerset Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $25,900. Students borrow a median of $12,988 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Somerset Christian College earn a median of $39,150 early in their careers. Set against $12,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey placed #8 among the best values for general studies. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,704, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $26,750. General Studies graduates of William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn a median of $46,981 early in their careers. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University earned the #9 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career general studies graduates make about $43,486. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Centenary College earned the #10 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Hackettstown, Centenary College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,732. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Centenary College generally make around $32,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Centenary College admits about 83% of applicants.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham earned the #11 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Madison, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,468. General Studies graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham generally make around $31,469. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Rider University earned the #12 position for value in general studies 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. General Studies graduates carry a median of $22,233 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Rider University earn a median of $48,601 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rider University admits about 79% of applicants.
More General Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 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.
