by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in New Jersey? This list ranks 45 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 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 45 schools to build this 2026 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 45 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:
Our analysis ranked Camden County College the best college for the money in New Jersey. 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.
A rank of #2 makes Middlesex County College one of the best values in New Jersey. 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.
Mercer County Community College came in at #3 on this year's best-value ranking in New Jersey. 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.
Essex County College came in at #4 on this year's best-value ranking in New Jersey. 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.
A rank of #5 makes Raritan Valley Community College one of the best values in New Jersey. 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.
Burlington County College offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. 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.
Warren County Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. 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 offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. 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.
Princeton University came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. 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.
Cumberland County College landed the #10 spot for value in New Jersey this year. 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 $13,236 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,751 ten years after entry. Set against $13,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Union County College came in at #11 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.
County College Of Morris offered strong value this year, earning the #12 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.
Somerset Christian College landed the #13 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.
Sussex County Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. 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.
Brookdale Community College landed the #15 spot for value in New Jersey this year. 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.
Bergen Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. 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.
Passaic County Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. 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.
Atlantic Cape Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 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.
Kean University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. 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.
Ocean County College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. 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.
New Jersey City University placed #21 among the best values in New Jersey. Located in Jersey City, NJ, New Jersey City University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,460. Students borrow a median of $22,107 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $52,745. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University offered strong value this year, earning the #22 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.
Salem Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. 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.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. 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.
Saint Peters College offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. 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.
These schools also landed near the top of this year’s value ranking:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 ranked schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 45 schools evaluated. References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.
