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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Engineering Schools in New Jersey

3 Colleges in the United States
$14,191 Avg Student Debt
$45,026 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Engineering Badge [General Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/other-general-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for general engineering students.

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2026 Best Value General Engineering Schools in New Jersey

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Engineering Schools

1

Essex County College earned the #1 spot for value among general engineering schools in New Jersey. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,415, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $12,472. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $37,915. That is a strong return on a $12,472 median debt.

2
Union County College crest
Union County College
Cranford, NJ

Union County College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Union County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Cranford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $9,500. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,508 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Union County College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,508 median debt.

3

Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Brookdale Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,270, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $37,374. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4
Ocean County College crest
Ocean County College
Toms River, NJ

A rank of #4 makes Ocean County College one of the best values for general engineering. Located in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,906, with out-of-state students paying around $6,970. Students borrow a median of $13,792 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Ocean County College generally make around $41,306. Set against $13,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Gloucester County College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,160, compared with $6,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,236 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Gloucester County College generally make around $38,274. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University placed #6 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $24,488. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $84,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.

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Notes and References

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 · 10 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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