2026 Best Value Public Health Schools in New Jersey
[Public Health](/majors/health-care-professions/public-health/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 22 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value public health schools.
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2026 Best Value Public Health Schools in New Jersey
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the public health degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Public Health Schools
Middlesex County College tops our 2026 list of the best value public health schools in New Jersey. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Public Health graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $37,975. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
Kean University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Public Health graduates carry a median of $26,703 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $48,705. Set against $26,703 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in public health will find it at Montclair State University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $27,000. Public Health graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $47,735 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value public health schools. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Public Health graduates carry a median of $25,644 in student loans. Public Health graduates of William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn a median of $46,981 early in their careers. Set against $25,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in public health will find it at The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey, which ranked #5. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $24,524. Public Health graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey generally make around $44,423. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey admits about 89% of applicants.
Caldwell College placed #6 among the best values for public health. 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. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $26,188. Public Health graduates of Caldwell College earn a median of $48,400 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,188 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Rowan University landed the #7 spot for public health value this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Students borrow a median of $24,488 to complete the public health program here. Public Health graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $52,031 early in their careers. Set against $24,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #8 spot for public health value this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public health graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $56,490. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of New Jersey came in at #9 for value in public health this year. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,632, with out-of-state students paying around $25,752. Public Health graduates carry a median of $23,130 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public health degree recipients from The College Of New Jersey generally make around $56,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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 Major Best Value · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
