2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in New Jersey
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general studies students.
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2026 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
Our analysis ranked Sussex County Community College the best value for a degree in general studies in New Jersey. Located in the rural area of Newton, Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,544, while out-of-state students pay about $9,024. Students borrow a median of $11,375 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $27,179. Set against $11,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Passaic County Community College earned it the #2 place for general studies. Set in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,300, compared with $10,560 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,625 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $25,017. Set against $8,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Somerset Christian College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Newark, Somerset Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,900 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $12,988. General Studies graduates of Somerset Christian College earn a median of $39,150 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Atlantic Cape Community College one of the best values for general studies. Set in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,594, compared with $8,350 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $24,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
County College Of Morris came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. 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, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $30,966. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ocean County College landed the #6 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Ocean County College generally make around $25,647. That is a strong return on a $10,749 median debt.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,010. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $19,000. General Studies graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn a median of $31,469 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey earned the #8 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,344 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $26,750. Early-career general studies graduates make about $46,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University came in at #9 for value in general studies this year. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $43,486. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
Rider University came in at #10 for value in general studies this year. Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $22,233 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
