by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the graduate school options in New Jersey, narrowing things down is no easy task. We have ranked **25** programs by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual analyzed 25 graduate schools on more than 20 objective measures 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.
The top-ranked graduate schools span the following early-career salary range:
Learn more about these excellent graduate schools below:
Our analysis found Princeton University to be the best graduate school in New Jersey. Based in Princeton, NJ, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $67,532. Typical student debt is $10,888.
The strong outcomes at Rutgers University New Brunswick earned it the #2 place in New Jersey. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public school based in New Brunswick, NJ. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates 84% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates report median early-career earnings of $58,402. Typical student debt is $25,120.
Out of the 25 graduate schools in New Jersey in this year's ranking, Stevens Institute Of Technology landed the #3 spot. Stevens Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school based in Hoboken, NJ. Stevens Institute Of Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 87%. Students from in state pay about $63,462 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $87,055. Graduates carry a median of $26,767 in student loans.
The strong outcomes at New Jersey Institute Of Technology earned it the #4 place in New Jersey. Based in Newark, NJ, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a public institution. New Jersey Institute Of Technology graduates 73% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $19,974, while out-of-state students pay about $37,664. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,549 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $24,755.
The College Of New Jersey came in at #5 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in New Jersey. Based in Ewing, NJ, The College Of New Jersey is a public institution. The College Of New Jersey graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $19,632, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. The College Of New Jersey graduates report median early-career earnings of $56,617. Typical student debt is $24,429.
Rutgers University Newark ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Based in Newark, NJ, Rutgers University Newark is a public institution. Rutgers University Newark graduates 64% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,250, compared with $36,762 for out-of-state students. Rutgers University Newark graduates report median early-career earnings of $54,296. Typical student debt is $25,065.
Seton Hall University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Located in South Orange, NJ, Seton Hall University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,170. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $63,871. Graduates carry a median of $23,422 in student loans.
Rowan University placed #8 among the best graduate schools in New Jersey. Located in Glassboro, NJ, Rowan University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Median early-career earnings reach $52,031. Typical student debt is $24,488.
Rider University placed #9 among the best graduate schools in New Jersey. Located in Lawrenceville, NJ, Rider University is a private not-for-profit institution. Rider University graduates 61% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,120. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $48,601. The median student debt is $26,241.
Montclair State University placed #10 among the best graduate schools in New Jersey. Set in Montclair, NJ, Montclair State University is a public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $44,369. Montclair State University students take on a median of $25,286 in debt.
Monmouth University placed #11 among the best graduate schools in New Jersey. Based in West Long Branch, NJ, Monmouth University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,552. Early-career graduates earn a median of $49,709. Monmouth University students take on a median of $26,847 in debt.
Rutgers University Camden came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Set in Camden, NJ, Rutgers University Camden is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Students from in state pay about $17,764 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,276 for out-of-state students. Rutgers University Camden graduates report median early-career earnings of $54,504. Typical student debt is $24,577.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey landed the #13 spot in New Jersey this year. Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a public school based in Mahwah, NJ. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,777, compared with $27,708 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $48,545. Typical student debt is $24,014.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey placed #14 among the best graduate schools in New Jersey. Set in Wayne, NJ, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a public institution. About 44% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $46,981. Graduates carry a median of $25,644 in student loans.
Centenary College landed the #15 spot in New Jersey this year. Based in Hackettstown, NJ, Centenary College is a private not-for-profit institution. Centenary College posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. In-state tuition and fees run about $37,732. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,520 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $25,081.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham placed #16 among the best graduate schools in New Jersey. Based in Madison, NJ, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a private not-for-profit institution. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham graduates 66% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,468. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $53,216. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham students take on a median of $24,701 in debt.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Based in Teaneck, NJ, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $37,010. Early-career graduates earn a median of $54,505. Students borrow a median of $24,770 to complete a degree here.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. This public school is set in Galloway, NJ. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $16,266, with out-of-state students paying around $24,524. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey graduates report median early-career earnings of $43,490. Typical student debt is $24,990.
College Of Saint Elizabeth did well this year, earning the #19 position. Located in Morristown, NJ, College Of Saint Elizabeth is a private not-for-profit institution. About 51% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,740. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $58,318. College Of Saint Elizabeth students take on a median of $25,496 in debt.
Princeton Theological Seminary landed the #20 spot in New Jersey this year. Located in Princeton, NJ, Princeton Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career graduates earn a median of $46,821.
Saint Peters College came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Saint Peters College is a private not-for-profit school based in Jersey City, NJ. About 58% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $42,552 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $50,944. The median student debt is $22,969.
Drew University landed the #22 spot in New Jersey this year. Located in Madison, NJ, Drew University is a private not-for-profit institution. Drew University graduates 70% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $47,100. Drew University graduates report median early-career earnings of $34,305. Graduates carry a median of $26,449 in student loans.
Georgian Court University landed the #23 spot in New Jersey this year. Based in Lakewood, NJ, Georgian Court University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $37,110. Early-career graduates earn a median of $54,707. Typical student debt is $24,752.
Kean University landed the #24 spot in New Jersey this year. Kean University is a public school based in Union, NJ. Kean University posts a six-year graduation rate of 47%. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,705 early in their careers. Kean University students take on a median of $26,703 in debt.
Thomas Edison State College placed #25 among the best graduate schools in New Jersey. Based in Trenton, NJ, Thomas Edison State College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,838, with out-of-state students paying around $8,856. Early-career graduates earn a median of $70,792. The median student debt is $16,149.
These graduate schools rounded out the top of the list:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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.
