# Best Colleges in New Jersey

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 48 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-new-jersey

## Methodology

Composite score for institutions in New Jersey

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

Choosing the right college in New Jersey involves weighing various factors that impact not only your education but also your future earnings. With 48 institutions on our list, we focus on key metrics that matter: graduation rates, average earnings, and student debt. Understanding these elements can help families make informed decisions about higher education.

The strongest colleges stand out through their outcomes. High graduation rates, significant post-graduation earnings, and manageable debt levels are indicators of the quality of education and support students receive. For instance, the schools listed below are ranked based on a composite score that considers these critical factors, enabling families to see which institutions offer the best return on investment.

Take Princeton University and Middlesex College as examples. Princeton graduates boast an average earning of $110,066, alongside a graduation rate of 97%. In contrast, Middlesex College has an average earning of $46,861 with a graduation rate of only 34%. This stark difference highlights how financial outcomes can vary widely, even within the same state, underscoring the importance of thoughtful selection in college choice.

## Key Findings

- Princeton University graduates earn an average of $110,066 after graduation.
- New Jersey Institute of Technology has a graduation rate of 73%, indicating strong student support.
- Middlesex College has the lowest net price on the list at $2,288, but also the lowest graduation rate at 34%.
- Rutgers University-New Brunswick graduates earn an average of $74,479, with a net price of $24,406.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Princeton University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/princeton-university) | Princeton, NJ | 97% | $110,066 | $6,128 | $10,320 | 0.09x |
| 2 | [New Jersey Institute of Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/new-jersey-institute-of-technology) | Newark, NJ | 73% | $84,276 | $16,504 | $21,000 | 0.25x |
| 3 | [Ramapo College of New Jersey](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ramapo-college-of-new-jersey) | Mahwah, NJ | 71% | $67,541 | $18,173 | $21,000 | 0.31x |
| 4 | [The College of New Jersey](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-college-of-new-jersey) | Ewing, NJ | 86% | $73,323 | $27,646 | $23,250 | 0.32x |
| 5 | [Stevens Institute of Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/stevens-institute-of-technology) | Hoboken, NJ | 88% | $108,772 | $41,346 | $27,000 | 0.25x |
| 6 | [Raritan Valley Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/raritan-valley-community-college) | Branchburg, NJ | 33% | $48,145 | $6,778 | $10,500 | 0.22x |
| 7 | [Saint Peter's University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/saint-peters-university) | Jersey City, NJ | 61% | $57,815 | $12,199 | $20,500 | 0.35x |
| 8 | [Montclair State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/montclair-state-university) | Montclair, NJ | 64% | $61,415 | $15,566 | $22,000 | 0.36x |
| 9 | [Drew University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/drew-university) | Madison, NJ | 71% | $63,646 | $24,280 | $25,288 | 0.4x |
| 10 | [Seton Hall University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/seton-hall-university) | South Orange, NJ | 70% | $70,196 | $31,446 | $22,750 | 0.32x |
| 11 | [Rowan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rowan-university) | Glassboro, NJ | 68% | $59,988 | $22,408 | $20,500 | 0.34x |
| 12 | [Warren County Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/warren-county-community-college) | Washington, NJ | 43% | $43,359 | $5,726 | $9,300 | 0.21x |
| 13 | [Sussex County Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/sussex-county-community-college) | Newton, NJ | 40% | $44,664 | $7,859 | $11,000 | 0.25x |
| 14 | [Kean University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kean-university) | Union, NJ | 45% | $57,237 | $12,447 | $23,250 | 0.41x |
| 15 | [County College of Morris](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/county-college-of-morris) | Randolph, NJ | 35% | $50,243 | $8,895 | $9,000 | 0.18x |
| 16 | [Centenary University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/centenary-university) | Hackettstown, NJ | 56% | $53,726 | $20,503 | $23,163 | 0.43x |
| 17 | [New Jersey City University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/new-jersey-city-university) | Jersey City, NJ | 36% | $52,745 | $16,053 | $18,500 | 0.35x |
| 18 | [Monmouth University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/monmouth-university) | West Long Branch, NJ | 71% | $67,991 | $30,988 | $27,000 | 0.4x |
| 19 | [Ocean County College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ocean-county-college) | Toms River, NJ | 40% | $45,210 | $11,411 | $11,150 | 0.25x |
| 20 | [Caldwell University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/caldwell-university) | Caldwell, NJ | 58% | $53,843 | $24,691 | $25,000 | 0.46x |
| 21 | [Hudson County Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hudson-county-community-college) | Jersey City, NJ | 24% | $34,333 | $7,307 | $10,500 | 0.31x |
| 22 | [Rider University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rider-university) | Lawrenceville, NJ | 62% | $62,208 | $24,792 | $26,130 | 0.42x |
| 23 | [William Paterson University of New Jersey](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/william-paterson-university-of-new-jersey) | Wayne, NJ | 46% | $57,780 | $18,745 | $22,334 | 0.39x |
| 24 | [Salem Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/salem-community-college) | Carneys Point, NJ | 39% | $38,020 | $10,816 | $9,500 | 0.25x |
| 25 | [Middlesex College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/middlesex-college) | Edison, NJ | 34% | $46,861 | $2,288 | $9,750 | 0.21x |
| 26 | [Brookdale Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/brookdale-community-college) | Lincroft, NJ | 29% | $44,379 | $11,231 | $12,000 | 0.27x |
| 27 | [Camden County College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/camden-county-college) | Blackwood, NJ | 32% | $41,212 | $5,996 | $11,851 | 0.29x |
| 28 | [Georgian Court University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/georgian-court-university) | Lakewood, NJ | 54% | $53,096 | $19,285 | $21,816 | 0.41x |
| 29 | [Atlantic Cape Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/atlantic-cape-community-college) | Mays Landing, NJ | 27% | $34,241 | $8,392 | $9,500 | 0.28x |
| 30 | [Bergen Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bergen-community-college) | Paramus, NJ | 22% | $46,624 | $10,345 | $12,000 | 0.26x |
| 31 | [Mercer County Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mercer-county-community-college) | West Windsor, NJ | 23% | $43,264 | $5,279 | $10,500 | 0.24x |
| 32 | [Passaic County Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/passaic-county-community-college) | Paterson, NJ | 17% | $36,972 | $7,761 | $7,536 | 0.2x |
| 33 | [Rutgers University-New Brunswick](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rutgers-university-new-brunswick) | New Brunswick, NJ | 84% | $74,479 | $24,406 | $21,500 | 0.29x |
| 34 | [Rutgers University-Newark](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rutgers-university-newark) | Newark, NJ | 66% | $74,479 | $19,703 | $21,500 | 0.29x |
| 35 | [Rutgers University-Camden](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rutgers-university-camden) | Camden, NJ | 67% | $74,479 | $18,745 | $21,500 | 0.29x |
| 36 | [Saint Elizabeth University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/saint-elizabeth-university) | Morristown, NJ | 46% | $53,038 | $23,125 | $24,934 | 0.47x |
| 37 | [UCNJ Union College of Union County New Jersey](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ucnj-union-college-of-union-county-new-jersey) | Cranford, NJ | 35% | $41,595 | $8,257 | $15,091 | 0.36x |
| 38 | [Rowan College of South Jersey-Cumberland Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rowan-college-of-south-jersey-cumberland-campus) | Vineland, NJ | 33% | $41,751 | $10,562 | $12,000 | 0.29x |
| 39 | [Stockton University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/stockton-university) | Galloway, NJ | 70% | $57,602 | $20,670 | $20,500 | 0.36x |
| 40 | [Rowan College at Burlington County](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rowan-college-at-burlington-county) | Mount Laurel, NJ | 37% | $44,745 | $5,344 | $10,500 | 0.23x |
| 41 | [Felician University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/felician-university) | Lodi, NJ | 48% | $57,602 | $40,045 | $25,000 | 0.43x |
| 42 | [Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rowan-college-of-south-jersey-gloucester-campus) | Sewell, NJ | 36% | $41,751 | $12,378 | $12,000 | 0.29x |
| 43 | [Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/fairleigh-dickinson-university-metropolitan-campus) | Teaneck, NJ | 58% | $57,273 | $15,404 | $25,000 | 0.44x |
| 44 | [Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/fairleigh-dickinson-university-florham-campus) | Madison, NJ | 70% | $57,273 | $22,829 | $25,000 | 0.44x |
| 45 | [Pillar College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pillar-college) | Newark, NJ | 36% | $45,577 | $8,470 | $21,483 | 0.47x |
| 46 | [Bloomfield College of Montclair State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bloomfield-college-of-montclair-state-university) | Bloomfield, NJ | 35% | $61,415 | $28,014 | $22,000 | 0.36x |
| 47 | [Essex County College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/essex-county-college) | Newark, NJ | 20% | $37,230 | $4,436 | N/A | N/A |
| 48 | [Yeshiva Toras Chaim](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/yeshiva-toras-chaim) | Lakewood, NJ | 29% | $62,526 | $5,356 | N/A | N/A |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Colleges in New Jersey." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-new-jersey

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.