2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in New Jersey
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 37 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts students.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in New Jersey
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Leading the list is Camden County College, our #1 best value for liberal arts in New Jersey. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $4,416. Students borrow a median of $9,789 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Camden County College earn a median of $27,655 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Middlesex County College, which ranked #2. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Students borrow a median of $8,660 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $26,693. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mercer County Community College earned it the #3 place for liberal arts. Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of West Windsor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,310, while out-of-state students pay about $9,174. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $5,870 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Mercer County Community College generally make around $27,586. Set against $5,870 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Essex County College, which ranked #4. 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, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,302 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $25,792 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,302 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Burlington County College one of the best values for liberal arts. Burlington County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Mount Laurel. Students from in state pay about $6,990 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,495. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Burlington County College generally make around $28,376. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Hudson County Community College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,384, with out-of-state students paying around $9,248. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Hudson County Community College earn a median of $25,541 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Warren County Community College earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts this year. Warren County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Washington. Students from in state pay about $5,460 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,360. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,875 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $22,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Raritan Valley Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Branchburg. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $21,336. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cumberland County College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Vineland, Cumberland County College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,160 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,000. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $11,084 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $26,187. Set against $11,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Union County College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts this year. Union County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Cranford. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,500. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Union County College generally make around $25,989. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sussex County Community College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Newton, Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,024 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,375. Liberal Arts graduates of Sussex County Community College earn a median of $22,293 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Passaic County Community College came in at #12 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,560 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,625. Liberal Arts graduates of Passaic County Community College earn a median of $25,017 early in their careers. Set against $8,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Atlantic Cape Community College earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts this year. Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mays Landing. Students from in state pay about $5,594 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,350 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,500. Liberal Arts graduates of Atlantic Cape Community College earn a median of $24,197 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Brookdale Community College came in at #14 for value in liberal arts 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $20,077. That is a strong return on a $8,500 median debt.
County College Of Morris landed the #15 spot for liberal arts value this year. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. Students from in state pay about $6,210 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,500. Liberal Arts graduates of County College Of Morris earn a median of $21,318 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Bergen Community College earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts this year. Bergen Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Paramus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,913, while out-of-state students pay about $9,294. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,500. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $23,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ocean County College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,906, compared with $6,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,749. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $25,647. That is a strong return on a $10,749 median debt.
Kean University earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $26,703. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $48,705. Set against $26,703 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
Salem Community College earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Carneys Point, Salem Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,360, while out-of-state students pay about $10,260. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $17,232 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Salem Community College earn a median of $51,781 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,232 median debt.
Gloucester County College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,160 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,000. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,084. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Gloucester County College generally make around $26,187. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Peters College earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts this year. Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jersey City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,552. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $29,750. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $50,944. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Montclair State University placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $25,967 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $22,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Teaneck. Students from in state pay about $37,010 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $31,469. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $32,581. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
Rutgers University Camden placed #25 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,764, while out-of-state students pay about $37,276. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $35,768. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts:
More Liberal Arts Rankings
View All Liberal Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
