by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in New Jersey? This list ranks 111 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology. These are our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — see Customize Your Rankings below for aid-adjusted and by-degree views.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual evaluated 111 schools to build this 2027 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
See What’s Included in This Value Report:
Our analysis looked at 111 schools in New Jersey to surface the strongest return on investment. We steer clear of subjective measures and weigh objective factors instead.
The first step is the school’s combined average tuition, fees, and room and board — the list price before aid is applied (our No Aid ranking). Cost alone isn’t enough — overall quality matters too. We then balance cost against student outcomes — completion, resources, and earnings after graduation.
That balance of cost and outcomes is what drives the ranking below. Read more about our methodology.
Not every student is looking for the same thing. Refine the list by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. Or choose a degree level:
Explore the best values below:
For return on investment, no school beat Princeton University this year in New Jersey. Located in Princeton, NJ, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Princeton University students take on a median of $10,888 in debt. Princeton University alumni report median earnings of $110,066 a decade after entry. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
You'll get strong value at Middlesex County College, which ranked #2 this year. Based in Edison, NJ, Middlesex County College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Typical student debt is $9,514. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,861 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Burlington County College earned it the #3 place in New Jersey. Set in Mount Laurel, NJ, Burlington County College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,990, with out-of-state students paying around $9,495. Students borrow a median of $12,488 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,745. Set against $12,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Out of the 111 schools in New Jersey in this year's value ranking, Raritan Valley Community College landed the #4 spot. This public school is set in Branchburg, NJ. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Graduates carry a median of $9,668 in student loans. Median earnings reach $48,145 ten years out. Set against $9,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Out of the 111 schools in New Jersey in this year's value ranking, Mercer County Community College landed the #5 spot. Mercer County Community College is a public school based in West Windsor, NJ. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,310, while out-of-state students pay about $9,174. Graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $43,264. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
Camden County College landed the #6 spot for value in New Jersey this year. Set in Blackwood, NJ, Camden County College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $4,416. Typical student debt is $12,999. Median earnings reach $41,212 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,999 median debt.
Essex County College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. This public school is set in Newark, NJ. In-state tuition and fees average $5,415, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $12,472. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,230. Set against $12,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
County College Of Morris offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Set in Randolph, NJ, County College Of Morris is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,210, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. The median program debt is $9,420. Median earnings reach $50,243 ten years out. Set against $9,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Union County College came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Cranford, NJ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $9,500. The median program debt is $14,218. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,595. That is a strong return on a $14,218 median debt.
Warren County Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Warren County Community College is a public school based in Washington, NJ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,460, while out-of-state students pay about $6,360. The median program debt is $8,875. Warren County Community College alumni report median earnings of $43,359 a decade after entry. Set against $8,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hudson County Community College placed #11 among the best values in New Jersey. Located in Jersey City, NJ, Hudson County Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,384, while out-of-state students pay about $9,248. The median program debt is $10,671. Median earnings reach $34,333 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $10,671 median debt.
Passaic County Community College placed #12 among the best values in New Jersey. Located in Paterson, NJ, Passaic County Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,300, while out-of-state students pay about $10,560. The median program debt is $9,581. Median earnings reach $36,972 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $9,581 median debt.
Sussex County Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Sussex County Community College is a public school based in Newton, NJ. Students from in state pay about $5,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,024 for out-of-state students. Sussex County Community College students take on a median of $10,750 in debt. Median earnings reach $44,664 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.
Bergen Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in Paramus, NJ, Bergen Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,913, while out-of-state students pay about $9,294. Graduates carry a median of $17,720 in student loans. Bergen Community College alumni report median earnings of $46,624 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Atlantic Cape Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Atlantic Cape Community College is a public school based in Mays Landing, NJ. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,594, while out-of-state students pay about $8,350. Graduates carry a median of $12,002 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,241 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cumberland County College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Cumberland County College is a public school based in Vineland, NJ. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,160, with out-of-state students paying around $6,000. Graduates carry a median of $13,040 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,751 ten years after entry. Set against $13,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brookdale Community College placed #17 among the best values in New Jersey. Set in Lincroft, NJ, Brookdale Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,270, with out-of-state students paying around $10,140. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,379. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Peters College placed #18 among the best values in New Jersey. Set in Jersey City, NJ, Saint Peters College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,552 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt is $22,969. Saint Peters College alumni report median earnings of $57,815 a decade after entry. Set against $22,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Peters College admits about 90% of applicants.
Somerset Christian College landed the #19 spot for value in New Jersey this year. Based in Newark, NJ, Somerset Christian College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,900 in tuition and fees. The median program debt is $24,991. Median earnings reach $45,577 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ocean County College placed #20 among the best values in New Jersey. Ocean County College is a public school based in Toms River, NJ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,906, with out-of-state students paying around $6,970. Typical student debt is $13,792. Ocean County College alumni report median earnings of $45,210 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $13,792 median debt.
Kean University came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Union, NJ. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Students borrow a median of $26,703 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,237 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,703 median debt. About 76% of those who apply are admitted.
Salem Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Salem Community College is a public school based in Carneys Point, NJ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,360, with out-of-state students paying around $10,260. Graduates carry a median of $17,232 in student loans. Median earnings reach $38,020 ten years out. Set against $17,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montclair State University offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Located in Montclair, NJ, Montclair State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. The median program debt is $25,286. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,415 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology placed #24 among the best values in New Jersey. This public school is set in Newark, NJ. In-state tuition and fees run about $19,974, while out-of-state students pay about $37,664. Typical student debt is $24,755. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $84,276. Set against $24,755 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 65% of those who apply are admitted.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus placed #25 among the best values in New Jersey. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a private not-for-profit school based in Teaneck, NJ. In-state tuition and fees average $37,010. Graduates carry a median of $24,770 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,273. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
These schools also landed near the top of this year’s value ranking:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 111 ranked schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Rankings consider 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 111 schools evaluated. References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.
