It's not easy to decide which school to attend when you have so many options available. At College Factual, we're committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our Best Bachelor's Degree Colleges in New Jersey ranking.
After analyzing 27 schools in New Jersey, we came up with our list of those that offered the best bachelor's degree programs. Our ranking methodology focuses on different objective factors to make this determination of the best schools. In the next few paragraphs, we'll talk a little about what we use in our analysis and why.
Better Early-Career Average Salaries
The average early-career salary of those graduating with a bachelor's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. While bachelor's degree recipients from schools in New Jersey earn an average starting salary of $40,273, those from the top 25 school on this list made an average of $41,111.
Starting Salary ( 28874 to 47793 )
Student Loan Borrowing
Students may also take on a lot of debt while working on their bachelor's so we factor that into our rankings as well.
During their time at college, bachelor's degree seekers from schools in New Jersey take out an average of $26,463.
The average amount taken out in student loans for graduates at a particular school may be crippling for those who earn less than average wages after graduation.
Additional Ranking Factors We Use
Our Best Bachelor's Degree Schools considers other factors in addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt.
These factors include things like the educational resources, the demand associated with the school, whether or not the school offers online classes, and the student body caliber - just to name a few.
Are you more interested in the top bachelor's degree schools in your area? Try narrowing this list by location. Also, check out our other college rankings to help you with your college decision.
Our 2024 rankings named Princeton University the best school in New Jersey in terms of overall quality for students working on their bachelor’s degree. Princeton is a private not-for-profit institution located in Princeton, New Jersey. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,175 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $56,659 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $10,750 in student loans.
Out of the 27 bachelor’s degree schools in New Jersey that were part of this year’s ranking, Stevens Institute of Technology landed the #2 spot on the list. Hoboken, New Jersey is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 768 students in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Stevens is $71,490 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $26,598 after getting their degree. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $696.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend New Jersey Institute of Technology. The school came in at #3 in New Jersey on this year’s best bachelor’s degree schools ranking. Located in Newark, New Jersey, the fairly large public school handed out 1,863 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from NJIT is $54,985 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $25,072 after getting their degree. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $215.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Rutgers University - New Brunswick. The school came in at #4 in New Jersey on this year’s best bachelor’s degree schools ranking. Rutgers New Brunswick is located in New Brunswick, New Jersey and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8,803 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers New Brunswick make an average of $41,474 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $25,699. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $259.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Thomas Edison State University. The school came in at #5 in New Jersey on this year’s best bachelor’s degree schools ranking. Located in Trenton, New Jersey, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,869 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from TESU make an average of $56,190 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $17,682.
The College of New Jersey came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. The College of New Jersey is a medium-sized public school located in Ewing, New Jersey that handed out 1,719 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $46,642 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $24,517 in student loans. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $327.
Rutgers University - Newark came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. Newark, New Jersey is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 2,346 students in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers Newark is $38,645 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $25,483 in student loans. Average monthly loan payments are around $262 for a 10-year repayment plan.
With a ranking of #8, Rowan University did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in New Jersey list. Rowan is a public institution located in Glassboro, New Jersey. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4,303 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Rowan is $39,636 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $24,713. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $279.
With a ranking of #9, Montclair State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in New Jersey list. Montclair State University is a large public school located in Montclair, New Jersey that handed out 3,771 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Montclair State make an average of $32,358 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $25,372. This translates to an average monthly payment of $253 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
Seton Hall University did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking, coming in at #10. Seton Hall University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in South Orange, New Jersey that handed out 1,646 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Seton Hall go into careers with an average salary of $42,223 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $24,741. Average monthly loan payments are around $521 for a 10-year repayment plan.
Stockton University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in New Jersey list. Stockton State is a medium-sized public school situated in Galloway, New Jersey. It awarded 2,281 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $33,621 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $25,099 in student loans. This translates to an average monthly payment of $265 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
With a ranking of #12, Rutgers University - Camden did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in New Jersey list. Rutgers Camden is a medium-sized public school situated in Camden, New Jersey. It awarded 1,499 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $39,228 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $24,997. Average monthly loan payments are around $249 for a 10-year repayment plan.
With a ranking of #13, Rider University did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in New Jersey list. Rider is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,010 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Rider go into careers with an average salary of $38,588 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $26,456. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $521.
Monmouth University landed the #14 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. Monmouth is a private not-for-profit institution located in West Long Branch, New Jersey. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,204 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $35,943 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $26,853 after getting their degree. This translates to an average monthly payment of $665 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
Felician University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in New Jersey list. Located in Lodi, New Jersey, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 426 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Felician make an average of $38,334 a year. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $28,276 after getting their degree. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $349.
Fairleigh Dickinson University - Metropolitan Campus did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking, coming in at #16. Fairleigh Dickinson University - Metropolitan Campus is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Teaneck, New Jersey that handed out 734 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from FDU make an average of $36,097 a year. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $25,622 in student loans. This translates to an average monthly payment of $305 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
William Paterson University of New Jersey ranked #17 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in New Jersey list. William Paterson University is a medium-sized public school situated in Wayne, New Jersey. It awarded 1,755 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from William Paterson University go into careers with an average salary of $37,935 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $26,103 in student loans. Average monthly loan payments are around $188 for a 10-year repayment plan.
Ramapo College of New Jersey landed the #18 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. Ramapo College is located in Mahwah, New Jersey and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,268 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $36,643 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $24,509. This translates to an average monthly payment of $376 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
Kean University landed the #19 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. Kean is a public institution located in Union, New Jersey. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,562 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Kean is $39,056 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $26,713. Average monthly loan payments are around $236 for a 10-year repayment plan.
Georgian Court University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. Located in Lakewood, New Jersey, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 416 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $36,107 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $25,387 after getting their degree. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $194.
Caldwell University landed the #21 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking. Located in Caldwell, New Jersey, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 329 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Caldwell is $38,285 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $26,867 in student loans. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $252.
With a ranking of #22, New Jersey City University did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in New Jersey list. NJCU is a public institution located in Jersey City, New Jersey. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,274 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $36,282 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $22,348 after getting their degree.
Berkeley College - Woodland Park did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking, coming in at #23. Berkeley College - Woodland Park is a small private for-profit school situated in Woodland Park, New Jersey. It awarded 448 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Berkeley College - Woodland Park make an average of $37,184 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $37,127. Average monthly loan payments are around $132 for a 10-year repayment plan.
Saint Peter’s University did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in New Jersey ranking, coming in at #24. Jersey City, New Jersey is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 550 students in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $37,184 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $24,487 after getting their degree. This translates to an average monthly payment of $202 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
With a ranking of #25, Drew University did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in New Jersey list. Located in Madison, New Jersey, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 400 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Drew is $26,992 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $26,466 in student loans.
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).
Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
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