2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in New Jersey
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 43 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts general studies students.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in New Jersey
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
For return on investment in liberal arts general studies, no school beat Camden County College this year. Camden County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blackwood. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, compared with $4,416 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,789. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Camden County College generally make around $27,655. That is a strong return on a $9,789 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mercer County Community College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts general studies. Located in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,310, with out-of-state students paying around $9,174. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,870. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Mercer County Community College earn a median of $27,586 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,870 median debt.
Middlesex County College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,660. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $26,693. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Essex County College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $5,415, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Students borrow a median of $7,302 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,792. That is a strong return on a $7,302 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Burlington County College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts general studies. Burlington County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Mount Laurel. In-state tuition and fees average $6,990, compared with $9,495 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Burlington County College generally make around $28,376. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hudson County Community College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,384, while out-of-state students pay about $9,248. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,000. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Hudson County Community College earn a median of $25,541 early in their careers. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Warren County Community College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Washington, Warren County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,460, while out-of-state students pay about $6,360. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Warren County Community College generally make around $22,140. Set against $8,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Raritan Valley Community College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $21,336. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Somerset Christian College came in at #9 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Newark, Somerset Christian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,900. Students borrow a median of $12,988 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $39,150. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cumberland County College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Vineland, Cumberland County College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,160, with out-of-state students paying around $6,000. Students borrow a median of $11,084 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Cumberland County College generally make around $26,187. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Union County College came in at #11 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Union County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Cranford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $9,500. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Union County College generally make around $25,989. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Sussex County Community College placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the rural area of Newton, Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,544, compared with $9,024 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,375. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Sussex County Community College earn a median of $22,293 early in their careers. Set against $11,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Passaic County Community College came in at #13 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,300, compared with $10,560 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,625. Liberal Arts General Studies 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 placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,594, while out-of-state students pay about $8,350. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $24,197. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
County College Of Morris earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,210, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $21,318. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brookdale Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,270, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $20,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bergen Community College earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Paramus, Bergen Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,913, with out-of-state students paying around $9,294. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,500. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $23,966. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
Ocean County College landed the #18 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,906 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,970. Students borrow a median of $10,749 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Ocean County College generally make around $25,647. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kean University placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $26,703 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $48,705. Set against $26,703 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Salem Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Carneys Point, Salem Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,360, while out-of-state students pay about $10,260. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $17,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Salem Community College generally make around $51,781. Set against $17,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Peters College earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jersey City. In-state tuition and fees average $42,552. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Saint Peters College earn a median of $50,944 early in their careers. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Peters College admits about 90% of applicants.
Gloucester County College landed the #22 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,160, while out-of-state students pay about $6,000. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,084. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,187. That is a strong return on a $11,084 median debt.
Montclair State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $25,967 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $22,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus came in at #24 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Teaneck. In-state tuition and fees average $37,010. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus generally make around $31,469. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,704, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $32,581. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts general studies this year:
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
View All Liberal Arts General Studies 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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
