2026 Best Value Graduate Degrees Schools in New Jersey
Looking for the best-value Graduate Degrees degree programs in New Jersey? Our ranking highlights 149 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Grad Degree reviewed 24 schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in New Jersey
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Our analysis found The College Of New Jersey to be the best-value Graduate Degrees school in New Jersey. This public school is set in Ewing, NJ. In-state tuition and fees run about $19,632, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. Students borrow a median of $24,429 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. The College Of New Jersey alumni report median earnings of $73,323 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The College Of New Jersey has an acceptance rate of 62%. Get the full The College Of New Jersey report
Montclair State University came in at #2 on this year's best-value Graduate Degrees ranking in New Jersey. Montclair State University is a public school based in Montclair, NJ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,286 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Median earnings reach $61,415 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%. Read the full report on Montclair State University
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus came in at #3 on this year's best-value Graduate Degrees ranking in New Jersey. Located in Teaneck, NJ, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,010. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $24,770 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $57,273. That is a strong return on a $24,770 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus
Out of the 24 schools in New Jersey in this year's value ranking, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham landed the #4 spot. Based in Madison, NJ, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,468. Students borrow a median of $24,701 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,273. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 95% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at William Paterson University Of New Jersey earned it the #5 place in New Jersey. This public school is set in Wayne, NJ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,704, compared with $25,344 for out-of-state students. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $25,644. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,780. Set against $25,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. William Paterson University Of New Jersey has an acceptance rate of 90%. More on William Paterson University Of New Jersey
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Galloway, NJ. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,266, with out-of-state students paying around $24,524. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $24,990 in debt. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey alumni report median earnings of $57,602 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%. Get the full The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey report
Rutgers University Newark ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Located in Newark, NJ, Rutgers University Newark is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,762. Students borrow a median of $25,065 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $74,479. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Rutgers University Newark
Thomas Edison State College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Thomas Edison State College is a public school based in Trenton, NJ. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,838, compared with $8,856 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,149 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $69,331. That is a strong return on a $16,149 median debt. See the full Thomas Edison State College profile
Rowan University placed #9 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in New Jersey. This public school is set in Glassboro, NJ. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Rowan University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $24,488 in debt. Rowan University alumni report median earnings of $59,988 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,488 median debt. Rowan University has an acceptance rate of 78%. Read more about Rowan University
Rider University placed #10 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in New Jersey. Set in Lawrenceville, NJ, Rider University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,120 in tuition and fees. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,241. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,208 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Rider University report
Kean University landed the #11 spot for value in New Jersey this year. Located in Union, NJ, Kean University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Students borrow a median of $26,703 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,237. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%. Read more about Kean University
Georgian Court University landed the #12 spot for value in New Jersey this year. Based in Lakewood, NJ, Georgian Court University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,110 in tuition and fees. Georgian Court University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $24,752 in debt. Georgian Court University alumni report median earnings of $53,096 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Georgian Court University
Rutgers University New Brunswick offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Set in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,120 in student loans. Rutgers University New Brunswick alumni report median earnings of $74,479 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Rutgers University New Brunswick
New Jersey City University offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. This public school is set in Jersey City, NJ. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. New Jersey City University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $22,107 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,745 ten years after entry. Set against $22,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%. See the full New Jersey City University profile
Rutgers University Camden offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Based in Camden, NJ, Rutgers University Camden is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,764, compared with $37,276 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,577 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $74,479. Set against $24,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 66% of those who apply are admitted. More on Rutgers University Camden
Caldwell College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Caldwell College is a private not-for-profit school based in Caldwell, NJ. In-state tuition and fees average $40,848. Caldwell College Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $26,188 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,843. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%. Get the full Caldwell College report
College Of Saint Elizabeth landed the #17 spot for value in New Jersey this year. Based in Morristown, NJ, College Of Saint Elizabeth is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,740. Students borrow a median of $25,496 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. College Of Saint Elizabeth alumni report median earnings of $53,038 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of Saint Elizabeth has an acceptance rate of 71%. Read the full report on College Of Saint Elizabeth
New Jersey Institute Of Technology placed #18 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in New Jersey. Based in Newark, NJ, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,974, compared with $37,664 for out-of-state students. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $24,755. Median earnings reach $84,276 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%. See the full New Jersey Institute Of Technology profile
Seton Hall University came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. Seton Hall University is a private not-for-profit school based in South Orange, NJ. In-state tuition and fees average $53,170. Students borrow a median of $23,422 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Seton Hall University alumni report median earnings of $70,196 a decade after entry. Set against $23,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Seton Hall University admits about 73% of applicants. Read more about Seton Hall University
Felician College offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Located in Lodi, NJ, Felician College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,300. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $57,602. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. More on Felician College
Monmouth University offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Based in West Long Branch, NJ, Monmouth University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,552. Monmouth University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $26,847 in debt. Median earnings reach $67,991 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $26,847 median debt. Monmouth University has an acceptance rate of 89%. More on Monmouth University
Princeton University landed the #22 spot for value in New Jersey this year. Located in Princeton, NJ, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Princeton University alumni report median earnings of $110,066 a decade after entry. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted. More on Princeton University
Saint Peters College placed #23 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in New Jersey. Based in Jersey City, NJ, Saint Peters College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,552 in tuition and fees. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $22,969. Saint Peters College alumni report median earnings of $57,815 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Peters College has an acceptance rate of 90%. More on Saint Peters College
Stevens Institute Of Technology placed #24 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in New Jersey. Located in Hoboken, NJ, Stevens Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $63,462. Students borrow a median of $26,767 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $108,772. Set against $26,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stevens Institute Of Technology admits about 48% of applicants. More on Stevens Institute Of Technology
Innovate Salon Academy Brick Township Nj offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Get the full Innovate Salon Academy Brick Township Nj report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in New Jersey
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Total Image Beauty Academy offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Get the full Total Image Beauty Academy report
Lincoln Technical Institute Paramus offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. More on Lincoln Technical Institute Paramus
Union County College placed #28 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in New Jersey. More on Union County College
Beth Medrash Of Asbury Park placed #29 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in New Jersey. Read more about Beth Medrash Of Asbury Park
Camden County College landed the #30 spot for value in New Jersey this year. More on Camden County College
Gloucester County College placed #31 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in New Jersey. Read more about Gloucester County College
Salon Professional Academy placed #32 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in New Jersey. More on Salon Professional Academy
New Community Workforce Development Center ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read the full report on New Community Workforce Development Center
Yeshiva Gedolah Tiferes Boruch offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. See the full Yeshiva Gedolah Tiferes Boruch profile
Seminary Bnos Chaim offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. More on Seminary Bnos Chaim
National Career Institute placed #36 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in New Jersey. More on National Career Institute
Salem Community College ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about Salem Community College
Devry University New Jersey placed #38 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in New Jersey. Read the full report on Devry University New Jersey
Ocean County Vocational Technical School ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read the full report on Ocean County Vocational Technical School
Fortis Institute Wayne placed #40 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in New Jersey. Get the full Fortis Institute Wayne report
American Institute Clifton ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about American Institute Clifton
Eastwick College Hackensack offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. See the full Eastwick College Hackensack profile
Asi Career Institute ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about Asi Career Institute
Burlington County College came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Burlington County College
Talmudical Academy New Jersey placed #45 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in New Jersey. Read more about Talmudical Academy New Jersey
Medical Career Institute landed the #46 spot for value in New Jersey this year. Read the full report on Medical Career Institute
P C Age Jersey City ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. More on P C Age Jersey City
Rizzieri Institute offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Get the full Rizzieri Institute report
Lincoln Technical Institute Mahwah landed the #49 spot for value in New Jersey this year. More on Lincoln Technical Institute Mahwah
Robert Fiance Beauty Schools West New York landed the #50 spot for value in New Jersey this year. More on Robert Fiance Beauty Schools West New York
More Graduate Degrees Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 24 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 149 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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