2027 Best Value Economics Schools in New Jersey

[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) 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 10 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value economics schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Economics Schools in New Jersey
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Economics Schools
For return on investment in economics, no school beat Princeton University this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,250 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $103,041 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,250 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montclair State University earned it the #2 place for economics. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Economics graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $39,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ramapo College Of New Jersey earned it the #3 place for economics. Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Mahwah. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,777, while out-of-state students pay about $27,708. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $24,014. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Ramapo College Of New Jersey generally make around $48,545. Set against $24,014 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ramapo College Of New Jersey admits about 71% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes William Paterson University Of New Jersey one of the best values for economics. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. In-state tuition and fees average $15,704, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Students borrow a median of $28,281 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn a median of $43,148 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,281 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rutgers University Newark came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,250, with out-of-state students paying around $36,762. Economics graduates carry a median of $24,965 in student loans. Economics graduates of Rutgers University Newark earn a median of $51,848 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,965 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University came in at #6 for value in economics this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $21,750. Economics graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $38,580 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Drew University earned the #7 position for value in economics this year. Located in the suburb of Madison, Drew University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,100. Economics graduates carry a median of $26,914 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $33,639. Set against $26,914 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,965 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $51,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The College Of New Jersey placed #9 among the best values for economics. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $19,632 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,752 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $62,218. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. The College Of New Jersey admits about 62% of applicants.
Seton Hall University placed #10 among the best values for economics. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,170. Economics graduates carry a median of $21,413 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Seton Hall University generally make around $51,464. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
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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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.