2027 Best Value General Economics Schools in New Jersey
[General Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-general/) 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for general economics students.
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2027 Best Value General Economics Schools in New Jersey
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Economics Schools
Montclair State University tops our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools in New Jersey. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. General Economics graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $39,375. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Ramapo College Of New Jersey one of the best values for general economics. Located in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,777, with out-of-state students paying around $27,708. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $24,014. Early-career general economics graduates make about $48,545. That is a strong return on a $24,014 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at William Paterson University Of New Jersey earned it the #3 place for general economics. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Students borrow a median of $28,281 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $43,148. That is a strong return on a $28,281 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rutgers University Newark earned it the #4 place for general economics. Set in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,250, with out-of-state students paying around $36,762. Students borrow a median of $24,965 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Rutgers University Newark generally make around $51,848. That is a strong return on a $24,965 median debt. Rutgers University Newark admits about 71% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rowan University earned it the #5 place for general economics. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $21,750. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $38,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Drew University landed the #6 spot for general economics value this year. Drew University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Madison. Students from in state pay about $47,100 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $26,914. Early-career general economics graduates make about $33,639. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #7 spot for general economics value this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $24,965. Early-career general economics graduates make about $51,848. Set against $24,965 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of New Jersey landed the #8 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,632, with out-of-state students paying around $25,752. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $23,500. General Economics graduates of The College Of New Jersey earn a median of $62,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Seton Hall University came in at #9 for value in general economics this year. Set in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,170 in tuition and fees. General Economics graduates carry a median of $21,413 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Seton Hall University generally make around $51,464. That is a strong return on a $21,413 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
