2027 Best Liberal Arts Schools in New Jersey
Liberal Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 27 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best liberal arts schools.
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Best Schools for Liberal Arts in New Jersey
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall liberal arts education in New Jersey.
Top Schools in Liberal Arts
Rowan University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in liberal arts. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Glassboro. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Rowan University awarded about 48 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Rowan University earn around $43,486 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Rowan University
A rank of #2 makes Rider University one of the top schools for liberal arts. Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. Rider University graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Rider University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Rider University generally make around $41,315. Students borrow a median of $22,233 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #3 makes The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey one of the top schools for liberal arts. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the rural area of Galloway. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey graduates 68% of students within six years. About 150 liberal arts degrees were awarded at The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey generally make around $42,209. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full liberal arts program report for The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey
A rank of #4 makes Rutgers University Camden one of the top schools for liberal arts. Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Camden. Rutgers University Camden graduates 67% of students within six years. About 37 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Rutgers University Camden in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $35,768 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000.
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Students looking for a strong liberal arts program will find one at Middlesex County College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. Middlesex County College awarded about 407 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $26,693 in their early career. Middlesex County College graduates carry a median of $8,660 in student loans.
See the full liberal arts program report for Middlesex County College
William Paterson University Of New Jersey came in at #6 for liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 65 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at William Paterson University Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $32,581. Typical student debt for the program is $26,750.
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Thomas Edison State College earned the #7 position for liberal arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Trenton. Thomas Edison State College awarded about 341 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Thomas Edison State College generally make around $50,152. Typical student debt for the program is $17,883.
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Burlington County College earned the #8 position for liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public institution. There were roughly 1,085 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Burlington County College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Burlington County College earn a median of $28,376 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete this degree.
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Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earned the #9 position for liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus graduates 54% of students within six years. About 61 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $31,469 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus
Montclair State University landed the #10 spot for liberal arts this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 39 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Montclair State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $22,201 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,967 to complete this degree.
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County College Of Morris came in at #11 for liberal arts this year. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. County College Of Morris awarded about 205 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of County College Of Morris earn a median of $21,318 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,500.
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Camden County College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Blackwood. There were roughly 401 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Camden County College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Camden County College earn a median of $27,655 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,789 to complete this degree.
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Raritan Valley Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts schools. Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Branchburg. There were roughly 229 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Raritan Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Raritan Valley Community College earn around $21,336 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree.
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Bergen Community College placed #14 among the best liberal arts schools. Set in the suburb of Paramus, Bergen Community College is a large public institution. About 1,571 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Bergen Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Bergen Community College earn around $23,966 in the first couple years of their career. Bergen Community College graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans.
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Mercer County Community College earned the #15 position for liberal arts this year. Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of West Windsor. There were roughly 184 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Mercer County Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Mercer County Community College earn a median of $27,586 early in their careers. Mercer County Community College graduates carry a median of $5,870 in student loans.
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Ocean County College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Toms River. There were roughly 377 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Ocean County College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Ocean County College generally make around $25,647. Typical student debt for the program is $10,749.
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Brookdale Community College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts this year. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. About 188 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Brookdale Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Brookdale Community College earn around $20,077 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,500.
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Union County College landed the #18 spot for liberal arts this year. Union County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Cranford. About 319 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Union County College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Union County College earn around $25,989 in the first couple years of their career. Union County College graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans.
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Hudson County Community College placed #19 among the best liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public university. Hudson County Community College awarded about 210 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $25,541 in their early career. Hudson County Community College graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans.
See the full liberal arts program report for Hudson County Community College
Atlantic Cape Community College earned the #20 position for liberal arts this year. Set in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 38 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Atlantic Cape Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $24,197 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete this degree.
See the full liberal arts program report for Atlantic Cape Community College
Gloucester County College came in at #21 for liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public university. Gloucester County College awarded about 165 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Gloucester County College generally make around $26,187. Students borrow a median of $11,084 to complete this degree.
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Essex County College came in at #22 for liberal arts this year. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. About 195 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Essex County College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Essex County College earn around $25,792 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,302 to complete this degree.
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Cumberland County College placed #23 among the best liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Vineland, Cumberland County College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 75 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Cumberland County College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Cumberland County College generally make around $26,187. Students borrow a median of $11,084 to complete this degree.
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Passaic County Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts schools. Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Paterson. About 221 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Passaic County Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $25,017 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,625.
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Sussex County Community College came in at #25 for liberal arts this year. Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newton. There were roughly 168 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Sussex County Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Sussex County Community College generally make around $22,293. Students borrow a median of $11,375 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Sussex County Community College
Rest of the Top 27 Liberal Arts Schools
These schools also placed among the best for liberal arts this year:
More Liberal Arts Rankings
View All Liberal Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 27 schools evaluated.
- 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.