by our College Data Analytics Team
[Education](/majors/education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 46 schools to find the best return on investment for education students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Camden County College tops our 2026 list of the best value education schools in New Jersey. Camden County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blackwood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $4,416. Typical student debt for education graduates is $8,750. Early-career education graduates make about $21,956. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Essex County College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,415, with out-of-state students paying around $9,523. Education graduates carry a median of $12,472 in student loans. Education graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $23,768 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,472 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Raritan Valley Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,400. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. Set against $11,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middlesex County College earned it the #4 place for education. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $7,000. Early-career education graduates make about $16,846. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
County College Of Morris came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,210, with out-of-state students paying around $14,310. Education graduates carry a median of $9,420 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $30,966. That is a strong return on a $9,420 median debt.
1
2
3
4
5
Brookdale Community College earned the #6 position for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,270, compared with $10,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $8,750. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $19,157. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Passaic County Community College placed #7 among the best values for education. Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Paterson. In-state tuition and fees average $6,300, with out-of-state students paying around $10,560. Education graduates carry a median of $9,581 in student loans. Education graduates of Passaic County Community College earn a median of $28,957 early in their careers. Set against $9,581 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Jersey City University came in at #8 for value in education this year. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,460. Students borrow a median of $22,107 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $67,749. That is a strong return on a $22,107 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Salem Community College placed #9 among the best values for education. Salem Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Carneys Point. In-state tuition and fees average $6,360, with out-of-state students paying around $10,260. Education graduates carry a median of $17,232 in student loans. Education graduates of Salem Community College earn a median of $51,781 early in their careers. Set against $17,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kean University landed the #10 spot for education value this year. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Education graduates carry a median of $28,930 in student loans. Education graduates of Kean University earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,930 median debt. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
Gloucester County College came in at #11 for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,160, with out-of-state students paying around $6,000. Typical student debt for education graduates is $10,987. Early-career education graduates make about $38,274. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montclair State University came in at #12 for value in education this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $61,319 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Saint Peters College earned the #13 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,552. Education graduates carry a median of $26,627 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $66,868. Set against $26,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earned the #14 position for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,010. Education graduates carry a median of $24,770 in student loans. Education graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn a median of $60,843 early in their careers. Set against $24,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey placed #15 among the best values for education. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,704, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Students borrow a median of $30,244 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $60,090. Set against $30,244 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University Camden placed #16 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,764, compared with $37,276 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,577 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Rutgers University Camden generally make around $61,146. That is a strong return on a $24,577 median debt. Rutgers University Camden admits about 66% of applicants.
Centenary College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the suburb of Hackettstown, Centenary College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,732. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Early-career education graduates make about $62,777. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey landed the #18 spot for education value this year. Located in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,266, compared with $24,524 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $39,000. Early-career education graduates make about $61,998. That is a strong return on a $39,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey placed #19 among the best values for education. Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Mahwah. Students from in state pay about $16,777 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,708 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,014 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Ramapo College Of New Jersey earn a median of $64,964 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,014 median debt. Ramapo College Of New Jersey admits about 71% of applicants.
Georgian Court University placed #20 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Lakewood, Georgian Court University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,110. Education graduates carry a median of $24,752 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Georgian Court University generally make around $76,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgian Court University admits about 79% of applicants.
Caldwell College came in at #21 for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Caldwell, Caldwell College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,848. Education graduates carry a median of $26,188 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Caldwell College generally make around $59,104. Set against $26,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University earned the #22 position for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $60,756. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #23 spot for education value this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $25,120 in student loans. Education graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $61,509 early in their careers. Set against $25,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham landed the #24 spot for education value this year. Set in the suburb of Madison, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,468. Education graduates carry a median of $24,701 in student loans. Education graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham earn a median of $60,843 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Rider University landed the #25 spot for education value this year. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,120 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,936 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Rider University earn a median of $57,056 early in their careers. Set against $26,936 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for education this year:
26
27
28
29
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
