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