Rankings / By State
Best Education Colleges in New Jersey
- 19
- Schools
- $53,235
- Avg. Earnings
- 50%
- Avg. Graduation
- $15,037
- Avg. Net Price
- $17,249
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $36,972 at the low end to $73,323 at the top. That 2.0× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Middlesex College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $46,861 against $2,288 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Middlesex College, at $2,288 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: The College of New Jersey graduates 86% of its students, well above the 50% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor County College of Morris: graduates owe only 0.18× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Middlesex College ($2,288/yr) and Seton Hall University ($31,446/yr) produce graduates earning $46,861 and $70,196 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $29,158 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Middlesex College outperforms The College of New Jersey: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
- Completion is where this ranking's schools diverge most: The College of New Jersey graduates 86% of its students versus 17% at Passaic County Community College. Access without completion is opportunity unclaimed.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with Middlesex College and The College of New Jersey. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
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 $54K 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 ▲ +38% vs avg | $27,646 | 86% | 77 |
| 2 Ramapo College of New Jersey #2 overall | $67,541 ▲ +27% vs avg | $18,173 | 71% | 76 |
| 3 Centenary University #3 overall | $53,726 ▲ +1% vs avg | $20,503 | 56% | 75 |
| $61,415 ▲ +15% vs avg | $15,566 | 64% | 72 | |
| $59,988 ▲ +13% vs avg | $22,408 | 68% | 72 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Education Colleges in New Jersey
This analysis ranks 19 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $53,235 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 50% and an average net price of $15,037.
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: The College of New Jersey — Median alumni earnings: $73,323
Data Insight
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Educator Pipeline Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the educator pipeline?
$53,726
Median earnings (10yr)
45%
Median graduation rate
$12,378
Median net price
2.4%
Avg. mobility rate
Society needs more teachers than it is producing, yet pay and working conditions make retention a persistent problem. Education programs are the gateway to the profession. The best of them pair pedagogical training with strong clinical practice and placement networks that keep graduates in the profession.
The median graduation rate across these 19 schools is 45%. Median graduate earnings reach $53,726 ten years after enrollment, roughly $5,726 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $12,378 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $20,500. Some 36% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 2.4%.
In education, low debt matters as much as a solid paycheck. Graduates earn a median of $53,726 against a typical net price of $12,378. That ratio makes cost-conscious program selection essential in a profession with modest pay and a public mission.
The podium
Build your ranking
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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 77/100 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, 38% 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
Ramapo College of New Jersey lands at #2 with a 76/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (65/100). Graduates earn a median $67,541 a decade after enrolling, 27% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,173 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 #3
Centenary University lands at #3 with a 75/100 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, 1% 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 #4
Montclair State University lands at #4 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $61,415 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,566 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 #5
Rowan University lands at #5 with a 72/100 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, 13% 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 #6
Kean University lands at #6 with a 72/100 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, 8% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Saint Peter's University lands at #7 with a 72/100 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, 9% 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 #8
Seton Hall University lands at #8 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, 32% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
County College of Morris lands at #9 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, 6% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Rider University lands at #10 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, 17% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Warren County Community College lands at #11 with a 70/100 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, 19% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Monmouth University lands at #12 with a 69/100 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, 28% 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 #13
Brookdale Community College lands at #13 with a 69/100 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, 17% 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 #14
Salem Community College lands at #14 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, 29% 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 #15
Middlesex College lands at #15 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, 12% 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 #16
Camden County College lands at #16 with a 68/100 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, 23% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Passaic County Community College lands at #17 with a 68/100 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, 31% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester Campus lands at #18 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, 22% 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
Why it ranks #19
Essex County College lands at #19 with a 53/100 composite, led by value per dollar (92/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (29/100). Graduates earn a median $37,230 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,436 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 19 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Finding the right education college can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options in New Jersey. These schools share a focus on preparing students for careers in education, making them appealing choices for future educators. With a range of outcomes, students and families are weighing the best fit for their goals and finances.
What sets these institutions apart are their graduation rates, average earnings after graduation, and the cost of attendance. This list highlights schools that not only have strong program concentrations but also deliver solid outcomes. When reviewing the data below, consider how each school stacks up in terms of earnings, debt, and completion rates, as these factors can significantly impact your future.
For example, The College of New Jersey stands out with an impressive average earning of $73,323 and a graduation rate of 86%. In contrast, Passaic County Community College, while offering a lower net price of $7,761, has a graduation rate of just 17% and earnings at $36,972. This contrast emphasizes the trade-offs families need to consider when choosing a program that aligns with their ambitions and financial situation.
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
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 17 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 2.4%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Saint Peter's University leads the group at 5.5%, with Kean University (3.4%) and Essex County College (3.3%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 11.2% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Passaic County Community College enrolls the most, at 32.6%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 26.1% across the list, peaking at 49.9% at The College of New Jersey.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.49, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Monmouth University is highest at 1.84.
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 noticeable trend is that higher graduation rates tend to correlate with better earning outcomes. The College of New Jersey, for instance, has an 86% graduation rate and an average earning of $73,323. In contrast, Raritan Valley Community College, with a graduation rate of only 33%, has significantly lower earnings at $48,145. This highlights the importance of completion rates as a key factor influencing future earnings potential.
As you consider these schools, think about what matters most for you or your child. Is it the financial investment, the likelihood of graduating, or the kind of career preparation offered? Assess how each school fits into your personal priorities—be it location, program focus, or campus culture. Understanding these elements can help make a more informed decision that aligns with individual goals.
Ultimately, the choices made about education can shape future financial stability. A degree from a college with strong outcomes can lead to better job prospects and higher earnings. For families, this isn't just about selecting a school; it's about choosing a path that can support a successful, stable life after graduation.
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 Education Colleges in New Jersey: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Education Colleges in New Jersey ranking? +
The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Education 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? +
The College of New Jersey posts the highest median earnings on this list: $73,323 ten years after enrollment, well above the $53,235 average across the 19 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 50% 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 $15,037 a year across the 19 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 Education 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 19 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
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