by our College Data Analytics TeamLiberal Arts degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 37 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for liberal arts students pursuing a degree.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall liberal arts education in New Jersey.
No school ranked higher than Rowan University this year for liberal arts. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 65 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Rowan University in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $43,486 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at Rowan University
Rider University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts, ranking #2. Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. Rider University graduates 61% of students within six years. Rider University awarded about 28 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Rider University earn around $41,315 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,233 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts details for Rider University
Students looking for a strong liberal arts program will find one at The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 193 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earn around $42,209 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey
William Paterson University Of New Jersey came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Wayne. About 44% of students finish within six years. William Paterson University Of New Jersey awarded about 67 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $32,581 in their early career. William Paterson University Of New Jersey graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for William Paterson University Of New Jersey
Middlesex County College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts, ranking #5. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. Middlesex County College awarded about 419 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Middlesex County College earn around $26,693 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,660. Get the full liberal arts details for Middlesex County College
Thomas Edison State College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts this year. Thomas Edison State College is a large public school located in the city of Trenton. Thomas Edison State College awarded about 359 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Thomas Edison State College earn a median of $50,152 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,883 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts details for Thomas Edison State College
Burlington County College earned the #7 position for liberal arts this year. Burlington County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Mount Laurel. Burlington County College awarded about 1,348 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Burlington County College earn around $28,376 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,500. See the full liberal arts program report for Burlington County College
Raritan Valley Community College earned the #8 position for liberal arts this year. Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Branchburg. About 222 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Raritan Valley Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $21,336 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for Raritan Valley Community College
Camden County College placed #9 among the best liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. There were roughly 436 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Camden County College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $27,655 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,789 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for Camden County College
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earned the #10 position for liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 44 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus generally make around $31,469. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus
County College Of Morris ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. There were roughly 195 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at County College Of Morris in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of County College Of Morris earn a median of $21,318 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,500. Read more about the liberal arts program at County College Of Morris
Montclair State University came in at #12 for liberal arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Montclair. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Montclair State University awarded about 38 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Montclair State University earn around $22,201 in the first couple years of their career. Montclair State University graduates carry a median of $25,967 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts details for Montclair State University
Rutgers University Camden placed #13 among the best liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 47 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Rutgers University Camden in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Rutgers University Camden generally make around $35,768. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. Read more about the liberal arts program at Rutgers University Camden
Mercer County Community College placed #14 among the best liberal arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of West Windsor. About 182 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Mercer County Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Mercer County Community College earn around $27,586 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,870. See the full liberal arts program report for Mercer County Community College
Bergen Community College placed #15 among the best liberal arts schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Paramus. Bergen Community College awarded about 1,322 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Bergen Community College earn a median of $23,966 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for Bergen Community College
Ocean County College placed #16 among the best liberal arts schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Toms River. Ocean County College awarded about 427 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $25,647 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,749. Get the full liberal arts details for Ocean County College
Union County College came in at #17 for liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Cranford, Union County College is a large public university. About 351 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Union County College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of Union County College earn a median of $25,989 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,500. Get the full liberal arts details for Union County College
Brookdale Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. About 176 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Brookdale Community College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of Brookdale Community College earn a median of $20,077 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,500. See the full liberal arts program report for Brookdale Community College
Hudson County Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Hudson County Community College is a large public school located in the city of Jersey City. About 234 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Hudson County Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Hudson County Community College earn around $25,541 in the first couple years of their career. Hudson County Community College graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for Hudson County Community College
Atlantic Cape Community College came in at #20 for liberal arts this year. Set in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 64 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Atlantic Cape Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $24,197 in their early career. Atlantic Cape Community College graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts program at Atlantic Cape Community College
Essex County College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Newark. About 197 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Essex County College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $25,792 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,302. See the full liberal arts program report for Essex County College
Passaic County Community College earned the #22 position for liberal arts this year. Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Paterson. Passaic County Community College awarded about 222 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Passaic County Community College generally make around $25,017. Typical student debt for the program is $8,625. See the full liberal arts program report for Passaic County Community College
Gloucester County College landed the #23 spot for liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public university. Gloucester County College awarded about 223 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Gloucester County College earn a median of $26,187 early in their careers. Gloucester County College graduates carry a median of $11,084 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for Gloucester County College
Sussex County Community College came in at #24 for liberal arts this year. Set in the rural area of Newton, Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 134 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Sussex County Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Sussex County Community College earn a median of $22,293 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,375. Read more about the liberal arts program at Sussex County Community College
Cumberland County College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Vineland. Cumberland County College awarded about 151 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $26,187 in their early career. Cumberland County College graduates carry a median of $11,084 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts details for Cumberland County College
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 37 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
