Rankings / By State
Best Criminal Justice Colleges in New Jersey
- 34
- Schools
- $51,826
- Avg. Earnings
- 46%
- Avg. Graduation
- $15,173
- Avg. Net Price
- $16,838
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
-
Median graduate earnings across these 34 schools run from $34,241 to $74,479, a 2.2× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
-
Middlesex College delivers the most for the money: roughly $46,861 in median earnings against $2,288 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
-
The most affordable option, Middlesex College ($2,288 net price), still posts $46,861 in earnings, at or above the list average. Paying more does not guarantee a better outcome.
-
The College of New Jersey graduates 86% of its students, versus a 46% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
-
County College of Morris carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.18× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 The College of New Jersey ($73,323 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Rutgers University-Newark ($74,479), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- Middlesex College costs $2,288 a year and Felician University costs $40,045. Yet their graduates earn $46,861 and $57,602, nowhere near the $37,757 price gap.
- On value, Middlesex College beats Rutgers University-Newark: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with Middlesex College and The College of New Jersey. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $53K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 The College of New Jersey #1 overall | $73,323 ▲ +41% vs avg | $27,646 | 86% | 74 |
| 2 New Jersey City University #2 overall | $52,745 ▲ +2% vs avg | $16,053 | 36% | 74 |
| 3 Camden County College #3 overall | $41,212 ▼ -20% vs avg | $5,996 | 32% | 74 |
| $36,972 ▼ -29% vs avg | $7,761 | 17% | 73 | |
| $57,815 ▲ +12% vs avg | $12,199 | 61% | 73 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Criminal Justice Colleges in New Jersey
This analysis ranks 34 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $51,826 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 46% and an average net price of $15,173.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Middlesex College — Net Price: $2,288 | Graduation Rate: 34%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: The College of New Jersey — 86% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Rutgers University-Newark — Median alumni earnings: $74,479
CollegeRanker Primary Research
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Legal Profession Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the legal profession and the justice system?
$51,494
Median earnings (10yr)
42%
Median graduation rate
$12,289
Median net price
2.3%
Avg. mobility rate
Law and criminal-justice programs feed careers where outcomes hinge on two numbers most rankings ignore: bar passage and employment in the field. Salaries are famously bimodal, with a cluster at large firms and a long tail in public-interest and government roles. Debt loads can be heavy, so program quality carries unusual stakes.
Start with the medians across these 34 schools. Graduates earn a median of $51,494 ten years after enrollment, or about $3,494 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 42%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $12,289 a year with about $16,796 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 39% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 2.3%.
What we’re seeing: the gap between programs with strong bar-passage and placement records and the rest is wide, and debt makes that gap consequential. Median earnings of $51,494 against $16,796 in typical debt show why fit and outcomes matter more here than prestige alone.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
The College of New Jersey lands at #1 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $73,323 a decade after enrolling, 41% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,646 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
New Jersey City University lands at #2 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $52,745 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,053 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Camden County College lands at #3 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $41,212 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,996 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Passaic County Community College lands at #4 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $36,972 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,761 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Saint Peter's University lands at #5 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $57,815 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,199 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Raritan Valley Community College lands at #6 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (66/100). Graduates earn a median $48,145 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,778 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Warren County Community College lands at #7 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (65/100). Graduates earn a median $43,359 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,726 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Sussex County Community College lands at #8 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $44,664 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,859 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Centenary University lands at #9 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $53,726 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,503 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Rowan University lands at #10 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $59,988 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,408 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Monmouth University lands at #11 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $67,991 a decade after enrolling, 31% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,988 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Kean University lands at #12 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $57,237 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,447 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Seton Hall University lands at #13 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $70,196 a decade after enrolling, 35% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,446 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
County College of Morris lands at #14 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $50,243 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,895 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Rider University lands at #15 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $62,208 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,792 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Caldwell University lands at #16 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $53,843 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,691 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Wayne, NJ · 90% accepted · $18,745 net
Why it ranks #17
William Paterson University of New Jersey lands at #17 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $57,780 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,745 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Ocean County College lands at #18 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $45,210 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,411 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Salem Community College lands at #19 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (63/100). Graduates earn a median $38,020 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,816 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Hudson County Community College lands at #20 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $34,333 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,307 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Middlesex College lands at #21 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (92/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (67/100). Graduates earn a median $46,861 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,288 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Brookdale Community College lands at #22 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (64/100). Graduates earn a median $44,379 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,231 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Atlantic Cape Community College lands at #23 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $34,241 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,392 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Mercer County Community College lands at #24 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $43,264 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,279 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Rutgers University-Newark lands at #25 with a 67/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (74/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $74,479 a decade after enrolling, 44% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,703 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Saint Elizabeth University lands at #26 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $53,038 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,125 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Rutgers University-Camden lands at #27 with a 64/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (74/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $74,479 a decade after enrolling, 44% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,745 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Stockton University lands at #28 with a 64/100 composite, led by academic quality (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $57,602 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,670 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Rowan College of South Jersey-Cumberland Campus lands at #29 with a 64/100 composite, led by value per dollar (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $41,751 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,562 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
UCNJ Union College of Union County New Jersey lands at #30 with a 63/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (62/100). Graduates earn a median $41,595 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,257 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Felician University lands at #31 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (28/100). Graduates earn a median $57,602 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $40,045 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Rowan College at Burlington County lands at #32 with a 62/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by social mobility (58/100). Graduates earn a median $44,745 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,344 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester Campus lands at #33 with a 60/100 composite, led by value per dollar (67/100) and pulled down by academic quality (64/100). Graduates earn a median $41,751 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,378 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Teaneck, NJ · 91% accepted · $15,404 net
Why it ranks #34
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus lands at #34 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (67/100) and pulled down by social mobility (54/100). Graduates earn a median $57,273 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,404 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 34 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing a college for criminal justice studies in New Jersey can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options available. With 34 schools offering programs in this field, it’s essential to identify the ones that deliver solid outcomes for their graduates. The average earnings for graduates from these programs stand at $51,319, which highlights the potential return on investment in this area of study.
What sets the top schools apart in this ranking are their graduation rates, debt levels, and post-graduation earnings. For instance, Rutgers University-Newark shines with a graduation rate of 66% and average earnings of $74,479, demonstrating a clear correlation between program quality and successful outcomes. As you explore the rankings below, consider these factors to assess which programs align with your aspirations.
Take Camden County College and Rutgers University-Newark, for example. Camden County has a lower graduation rate of 32% and average earnings of $41,212, while Rutgers has nearly double the earnings and a graduation rate that’s significantly higher. This contrast emphasizes the importance of not just choosing a program but understanding its potential to support a successful career in criminal justice.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 25 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 2.3%. Saint Peter's University leads the group at 5.5%, with New Jersey City University (5.3%) and Hudson County Community College (4%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 11.6% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Hudson County Community College leads at 36.3%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 23.2% across this list. The College of New Jersey posts the highest success rate at 49.9%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.48 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Monmouth University reaches 1.84, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When examining the data, a notable trend emerges between Camden County College and Rutgers University-Newark. Despite both being in New Jersey, Camden County has a graduation rate of only 32% and average earnings of $41,212, while Rutgers stands out with a 66% graduation rate and $74,479 in earnings. This stark difference underscores how a program's resources and support impact student success.
For those sifting through the rankings, it's crucial to weigh this data against personal priorities. Consider factors such as location, program fit, and financial implications. If you value a strong earning potential, schools like Rutgers may be more appealing, while those looking for lower tuition might lean towards Middlesex College. Assessing how each program aligns with your career goals can help in making an informed decision.
Ultimately, the data reflects the broader picture of how education shapes career stability. A solid criminal justice program can serve as a stepping stone to a reliable income, but it requires careful consideration of the trade-offs between cost, graduation rates, and potential earnings. In the end, one decision can significantly impact a student’s future, making it essential to choose wisely.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Criminal Justice Colleges in New Jersey: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Criminal Justice Colleges in New Jersey ranking? +
The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in New Jersey ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $73,323 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 86% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Rutgers University-Newark posts the highest median earnings on this list: $74,479 ten years after enrollment, well above the $51,826 average across the 34 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Middlesex College leads: graduates earn a median $46,861 against net price of about $2,288 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
The College of New Jersey has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 86%, compared with a 46% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $15,173 a year across the 34 ranked schools with cost data. Middlesex College is among the most affordable at roughly $2,288. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Criminal Justice Colleges in New Jersey ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 34 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
Related Rankings
