by our College Data Analytics TeamPrinceton University ranks #1 of 40 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges in New Jersey ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 64% six-year graduation rate and $76,538 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in New Jersey, it can be hard to know where to start. We have ranked **40** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual analyzed 40 colleges using more than 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Princeton University leads the 40 ranked colleges in New Jersey, followed by Rutgers University New Brunswick (#2) and Stevens Institute Of Technology (#3). Here are the top-ranked colleges:
Our analysis found Princeton University to be the best college in New Jersey. This private not-for-profit school is set in Princeton, NJ. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Princeton University graduates report median early-career earnings of $67,532. The median student debt is $10,888.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #2 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in New Jersey. Set in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $58,402. Rutgers University New Brunswick students take on a median of $25,120 in debt.
You'll be in good company at Stevens Institute Of Technology, which ranked #3 this year. Located in Hoboken, NJ, Stevens Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $63,462. Early-career graduates earn a median of $87,055. Stevens Institute Of Technology students take on a median of $26,767 in debt.
Out of the 40 colleges in New Jersey in this year's ranking, The College Of New Jersey landed the #4 spot. Located in Ewing, NJ, The College Of New Jersey is a public institution. The College Of New Jersey posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $19,632, compared with $25,752 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,617 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $24,429.
A rank of #5 makes Rutgers University Newark one of the top colleges in New Jersey. Set in Newark, NJ, Rutgers University Newark is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,250, with out-of-state students paying around $36,762. Median early-career earnings reach $54,296. Rutgers University Newark students take on a median of $25,065 in debt.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology placed #6 among the best colleges in New Jersey. Set in Newark, NJ, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a public institution. About 73% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $19,974, compared with $37,664 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,549 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,755 to complete a degree here.
Rowan University placed #7 among the best colleges in New Jersey. Located in Glassboro, NJ, Rowan University is a public institution. Rowan University graduates 67% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $52,031. Graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans.
Seton Hall University landed the #8 spot in New Jersey this year. Seton Hall University is a private not-for-profit school based in South Orange, NJ. About 70% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $53,170 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $63,871. Seton Hall University students take on a median of $23,422 in debt.
Rutgers University Camden ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in Camden, NJ, Rutgers University Camden is a public institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $17,764, with out-of-state students paying around $37,276. Median early-career earnings reach $54,504. The median student debt is $24,577.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey placed #10 among the best colleges in New Jersey. Located in Mahwah, NJ, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a public institution. Ramapo College Of New Jersey posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,777, compared with $27,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,545 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,014 to complete a degree here.
Montclair State University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Set in Montclair, NJ, Montclair State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $44,369. Graduates carry a median of $25,286 in student loans.
Monmouth University placed #12 among the best colleges in New Jersey. Located in West Long Branch, NJ, Monmouth University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. Students from in state pay about $46,552 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $49,709. Typical student debt is $26,847.
Rider University placed #13 among the best colleges in New Jersey. Based in Lawrenceville, NJ, Rider University is a private not-for-profit institution. Rider University graduates 61% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,120. Early-career graduates earn a median of $48,601. Typical student debt is $26,241.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey did well this year, earning the #14 position. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a public school based in Galloway, NJ. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,266, compared with $24,524 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $43,490. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete a degree here.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey did well this year, earning the #15 position. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a public school based in Wayne, NJ. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. William Paterson University Of New Jersey graduates report median early-career earnings of $46,981. The median student debt is $25,644.
Chamberlain University New Jersey came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Located in North Brunswick, NJ, Chamberlain University New Jersey is a private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 33%. In-state tuition and fees average $21,520. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $83,188. Chamberlain University New Jersey students take on a median of $39,146 in debt.
Thomas Edison State College placed #17 among the best colleges in New Jersey. Based in Trenton, NJ, Thomas Edison State College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,838 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,856. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $70,792. Students borrow a median of $16,149 to complete a degree here.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus landed the #18 spot in New Jersey this year. Located in Teaneck, NJ, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,010. Early-career graduates earn a median of $54,505. Students borrow a median of $24,770 to complete a degree here.
Drew University placed #19 among the best colleges in New Jersey. Based in Madison, NJ, Drew University is a private not-for-profit institution. Drew University graduates 70% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,100. Median early-career earnings reach $34,305. Drew University students take on a median of $26,449 in debt.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham did well this year, earning the #20 position. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a private not-for-profit school based in Madison, NJ. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $37,468. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $53,216. Graduates carry a median of $24,701 in student loans.
Georgian Court University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in Lakewood, NJ, Georgian Court University is a private not-for-profit institution. Georgian Court University posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. Students from in state pay about $37,110 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,707 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $24,752.
Kean University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Based in Union, NJ, Kean University is a public institution. Kean University posts a six-year graduation rate of 47%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,705 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $26,703.
Centenary College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hackettstown, NJ. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,732. Median early-career earnings reach $46,520. Typical student debt is $25,081.
Felician College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Lodi, NJ, Felician College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,300. Median early-career earnings reach $56,976. Typical student debt is $28,500.
New Jersey City University placed #25 among the best colleges in New Jersey. Located in Jersey City, NJ, New Jersey City University is a public institution. About 34% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $47,083. New Jersey City University students take on a median of $22,107 in debt.
These 15 colleges rank #26 through #40 of 40 in New Jersey. These colleges also placed among the very best this year:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.
