2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in New Jersey
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 32 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts general studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in New Jersey
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Leading the list is Middlesex County College, our #1 best value for liberal arts general studies in New Jersey. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Students borrow a median of $8,660 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $26,693 early in their careers. Set against $8,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Burlington County College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts general studies. Located in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,990, compared with $9,495 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,500. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $28,376. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mercer County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,310 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,174. Students borrow a median of $5,870 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,586. That is a strong return on a $5,870 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Camden County College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts general studies. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $4,416. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,789. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Camden County College earn a median of $27,655 early in their careers. Set against $9,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Essex County College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $5,415, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,302 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $25,792. Set against $7,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Raritan Valley Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $21,336. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hudson County Community College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,384, while out-of-state students pay about $9,248. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Hudson County Community College generally make around $25,541. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Warren County Community College earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Washington, Warren County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,460 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,875. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Warren County Community College generally make around $22,140. Set against $8,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Union County College placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the suburb of Cranford, Union County College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $9,500. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Union County College generally make around $25,989. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Passaic County Community College placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,300, with out-of-state students paying around $10,560. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,625. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Passaic County Community College earn a median of $25,017 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,625 median debt.
County College Of Morris ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,210, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from County College Of Morris generally make around $21,318. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Atlantic Cape Community College came in at #12 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,594 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,350 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Atlantic Cape Community College generally make around $24,197. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Sussex County Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Newton, Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,544 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,024. Students borrow a median of $11,375 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Sussex County Community College earn a median of $22,293 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bergen Community College placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the suburb of Paramus, Bergen Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,913, compared with $9,294 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Bergen Community College earn a median of $23,966 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brookdale Community College placed #15 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,270 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $20,077. That is a strong return on a $8,500 median debt.
Cumberland County College earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Vineland, Cumberland County College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,160, compared with $6,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,084 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,187. Set against $11,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ocean County College earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,906, with out-of-state students paying around $6,970. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,749 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Ocean County College earn a median of $25,647 early in their careers. Set against $10,749 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Peters College landed the #18 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,552. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $50,944. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Peters College admits about 90% of applicants.
Salem Community College landed the #19 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Salem Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Carneys Point. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,360, compared with $10,260 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $17,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Salem Community College generally make around $51,781. Set against $17,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kean University earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $26,703. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Kean University earn a median of $48,705 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,703 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Somerset Christian College landed the #21 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Newark, Somerset Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,900. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,988 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $39,150. That is a strong return on a $12,988 median debt.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,010. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $19,000. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn a median of $31,469 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Gloucester County College placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Sewell. In-state tuition and fees average $5,160, while out-of-state students pay about $6,000. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,084. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,187. That is a strong return on a $11,084 median debt.
Montclair State University came in at #24 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $25,967 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $22,201. Set against $25,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Rutgers University Camden placed #25 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,764, while out-of-state students pay about $37,276. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $35,768. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts general studies:
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
View All Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
