# Most Affordable Colleges in New Jersey

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 49 | Category: By State (Affordable)
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-new-jersey

## Methodology

Ranked by lowest net price 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

When considering college options, affordability is often at the top of the list for many families. In New Jersey, there are 49 institutions that stand out for their low net prices, making them accessible choices for students seeking a quality education without overwhelming debt. With a wide range of programs, these schools can help pave the way to a successful future.

What distinguishes the top schools in this list is not just their low tuition but also their outcomes. Metrics such as median earnings for graduates, graduation rates, and average debt loads reveal how well these institutions prepare students for life after college. For instance, while some schools may have higher graduation rates, it's crucial to consider how that translates into post-graduate earnings and overall financial health.

Take Middlesex College and Princeton University as examples. Middlesex College has a net price of just $2,288 and a graduation rate of 34%, while Princeton's net price is higher at $6,128, but it boasts a remarkable 97% graduation rate. This contrast highlights a tradeoff: lower costs at community colleges versus the proven success of elite universities. Understanding these dynamics can guide families in making informed decisions about their education path.

## Key Findings

- Middlesex College has the lowest net price at $2,288, significantly lower than others on the list.
- Princeton University graduates earn an average of $110,066, the highest among these institutions.
- The average graduation rate across these schools is 50%, indicating a mixed level of student success.
- Warren County Community College shows a debt level of $9,300, one of the lowest among the community colleges.

## 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 | [Middlesex College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/middlesex-college) | Edison, NJ | 34% | $46,861 | $2,288 | $9,750 | 0.21x |
| 3 | [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 |
| 4 | [Warren County Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/warren-county-community-college) | Washington, NJ | 43% | $43,359 | $5,726 | $9,300 | 0.21x |
| 5 | [Camden County College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/camden-county-college) | Blackwood, NJ | 32% | $41,212 | $5,996 | $11,851 | 0.29x |
| 6 | [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 |
| 7 | [Raritan Valley Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/raritan-valley-community-college) | Branchburg, NJ | 33% | $48,145 | $6,778 | $10,500 | 0.22x |
| 8 | [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 |
| 9 | [Passaic County Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/passaic-county-community-college) | Paterson, NJ | 17% | $36,972 | $7,761 | $7,536 | 0.2x |
| 10 | [Sussex County Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/sussex-county-community-college) | Newton, NJ | 40% | $44,664 | $7,859 | $11,000 | 0.25x |
| 11 | [Essex County College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/essex-county-college) | Newark, NJ | 20% | $37,230 | $4,436 | N/A | N/A |
| 12 | [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 |
| 13 | [County College of Morris](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/county-college-of-morris) | Randolph, NJ | 35% | $50,243 | $8,895 | $9,000 | 0.18x |
| 14 | [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 |
| 15 | [Pillar College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pillar-college) | Newark, NJ | 36% | $45,577 | $8,470 | $21,483 | 0.47x |
| 16 | [Bergen Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bergen-community-college) | Paramus, NJ | 22% | $46,624 | $10,345 | $12,000 | 0.26x |
| 17 | [Saint Peter's University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/saint-peters-university) | Jersey City, NJ | 61% | $57,815 | $12,199 | $20,500 | 0.35x |
| 18 | [Kean University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kean-university) | Union, NJ | 45% | $57,237 | $12,447 | $23,250 | 0.41x |
| 19 | [Salem Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/salem-community-college) | Carneys Point, NJ | 39% | $38,020 | $10,816 | $9,500 | 0.25x |
| 20 | [Yeshiva Toras Chaim](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/yeshiva-toras-chaim) | Lakewood, NJ | 29% | $62,526 | $5,356 | N/A | N/A |
| 21 | [Ocean County College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ocean-county-college) | Toms River, NJ | 40% | $45,210 | $11,411 | $11,150 | 0.25x |
| 22 | [Brookdale Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/brookdale-community-college) | Lincroft, NJ | 29% | $44,379 | $11,231 | $12,000 | 0.27x |
| 23 | [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 |
| 24 | [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 |
| 25 | [Montclair State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/montclair-state-university) | Montclair, NJ | 64% | $61,415 | $15,566 | $22,000 | 0.36x |
| 26 | [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 |
| 27 | [Ocean County Vocational-Technical School](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ocean-county-vocational-technical-school) | Toms River, NJ | 68% | $47,122 | $10,828 | $5,500 | 0.12x |
| 28 | [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 |
| 29 | [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 |
| 30 | [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 |
| 31 | [Georgian Court University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/georgian-court-university) | Lakewood, NJ | 54% | $53,096 | $19,285 | $21,816 | 0.41x |
| 32 | [Rutgers University-Camden](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rutgers-university-camden) | Camden, NJ | 67% | $74,479 | $18,745 | $21,500 | 0.29x |
| 33 | [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 |
| 34 | [Rutgers University-Newark](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rutgers-university-newark) | Newark, NJ | 66% | $74,479 | $19,703 | $21,500 | 0.29x |
| 35 | [Centenary University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/centenary-university) | Hackettstown, NJ | 56% | $53,726 | $20,503 | $23,163 | 0.43x |
| 36 | [Stockton University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/stockton-university) | Galloway, NJ | 70% | $57,602 | $20,670 | $20,500 | 0.36x |
| 37 | [Rowan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rowan-university) | Glassboro, NJ | 68% | $59,988 | $22,408 | $20,500 | 0.34x |
| 38 | [Saint Elizabeth University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/saint-elizabeth-university) | Morristown, NJ | 46% | $53,038 | $23,125 | $24,934 | 0.47x |
| 39 | [Drew University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/drew-university) | Madison, NJ | 71% | $63,646 | $24,280 | $25,288 | 0.4x |
| 40 | [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 |
| 41 | [Caldwell University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/caldwell-university) | Caldwell, NJ | 58% | $53,843 | $24,691 | $25,000 | 0.46x |
| 42 | [Rider University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rider-university) | Lawrenceville, NJ | 62% | $62,208 | $24,792 | $26,130 | 0.42x |
| 43 | [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 |
| 44 | [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 |
| 45 | [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 |
| 46 | [Monmouth University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/monmouth-university) | West Long Branch, NJ | 71% | $67,991 | $30,988 | $27,000 | 0.4x |
| 47 | [Seton Hall University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/seton-hall-university) | South Orange, NJ | 70% | $70,196 | $31,446 | $22,750 | 0.32x |
| 48 | [Felician University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/felician-university) | Lodi, NJ | 48% | $57,602 | $40,045 | $25,000 | 0.43x |
| 49 | [Stevens Institute of Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/stevens-institute-of-technology) | Hoboken, NJ | 88% | $108,772 | $41,346 | $27,000 | 0.25x |

## 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. "Most Affordable Colleges in New Jersey." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-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/.