2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in New Jersey
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 43 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools.
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2026 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
Camden County College earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools in New Jersey. Set in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $4,416. Students borrow a median of $9,789 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,655. Set against $9,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mercer County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #2 spot this year. Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of West Windsor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,310, while out-of-state students pay about $9,174. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $5,870. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Mercer County Community College generally make around $27,586. Set against $5,870 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middlesex County College earned it the #3 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,660 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $26,693. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Essex County College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,792. Set against $7,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Burlington County College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,990, compared with $9,495 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $28,376. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hudson County Community College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Hudson County Community College is a large public school located in the city of Jersey City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,384, compared with $9,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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 placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the rural area of Washington, Warren County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,460, while out-of-state students pay about $6,360. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,875. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $22,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Raritan Valley Community College came in at #8 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $21,336 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Somerset Christian College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. 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. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,988 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $39,150. That is a strong return on a $12,988 median debt.
Cumberland County College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Cumberland County College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Vineland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 Cumberland County College earn a median of $26,187 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Union County College came in at #11 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,989. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Sussex County Community College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the rural area of Newton, Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,544, while out-of-state students pay about $9,024. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,375. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Sussex County Community College generally make around $22,293. That is a strong return on a $11,375 median debt.
Passaic County Community College earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Paterson. 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. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Passaic County Community College generally make around $25,017. That is a strong return on a $8,625 median debt.
Atlantic Cape Community College came in at #14 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mays Landing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,594, while out-of-state students pay about $8,350. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Atlantic Cape Community College generally make around $24,197. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
County College Of Morris ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,210, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from County College Of Morris generally make around $21,318. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brookdale Community College came in at #16 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,270, with out-of-state students paying around $10,140. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,500. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $20,077. Set against $8,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bergen Community College placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the suburb of Paramus, Bergen Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,913 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,294 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $23,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ocean County College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Ocean County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Toms River. Students from in state pay about $4,906 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,749 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. 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.
Kean University landed the #19 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Salem Community College came in at #20 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Carneys Point, Salem Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,360, with out-of-state students paying around $10,260. Students borrow a median of $17,232 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $51,781. That is a strong return on a $17,232 median debt.
Saint Peters College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,552. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Saint Peters College generally make around $50,944. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Gloucester County College earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $26,187. That is a strong return on a $11,084 median debt.
Montclair State University earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $25,967 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $22,201 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus came in at #24 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Teaneck. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,010. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus generally make around $31,469. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,704, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn a median of $32,581 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities:
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings
View All Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
