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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in New Jersey

26 Colleges in the United States
8,362 Liberal Arts General Studies Degrees Awarded
$31,379 Avg Early-Career Salary

Liberal Arts General Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their liberal arts general studies programs.

College Factual analyzed 43 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best liberal arts general studies schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Liberal Arts General Studies in New Jersey

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall liberal arts general studies education in New Jersey.

Top Schools in Liberal Arts General Studies

1
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Our analysis ranked Rowan University the best school in the country for a degree in liberal arts general studies. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Rowan University awarded about 183 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $43,486 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Rowan University

2
Seton Hall University crest
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ

Seton Hall University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of South Orange. Seton Hall University graduates 70% of students within six years. About 68 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Seton Hall University in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $36,993 in their early career. Seton Hall University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Seton Hall University

3
Rider University crest
Rider University
Lawrenceville, NJ

Rider University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Rider University graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 28 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Rider University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Rider University earn around $41,315 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,233. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Rider University

4

The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts general studies, ranking #4. Set in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey graduates 68% of students within six years. About 193 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies 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 general studies program report for The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey

5

A rank of #5 makes William Paterson University Of New Jersey one of the top schools for liberal arts general studies. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. William Paterson University Of New Jersey graduates 44% of students within six years. There were roughly 67 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at William Paterson University Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn around $32,581 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for William Paterson University Of New Jersey

6

Middlesex County College placed #6 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. About 419 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Middlesex County College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $26,693. Students borrow a median of $8,660 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Middlesex County College

7

Thomas Edison State College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Trenton. Thomas Edison State College awarded about 424 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $50,152 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,883 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Thomas Edison State College

8
Kean University crest
Kean University
Union, NJ

Kean University landed the #8 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Union. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. Kean University awarded about 15 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Kean University earn a median of $48,705 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,703 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Kean University

9
Burlington County College crest
Burlington County College
Mount Laurel, NJ

Burlington County College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public institution. About 1,348 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Burlington County College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Burlington County College earn around $28,376 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Burlington County College

10

Raritan Valley Community College earned the #10 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 222 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Raritan Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Raritan Valley Community College earn around $21,336 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Raritan Valley Community College

11
Camden County College crest
Camden County College
Blackwood, NJ

Camden County College came in at #11 for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public institution. Camden County College awarded about 436 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Camden County College earn around $27,655 in the first couple years of their career. Camden County College graduates carry a median of $9,789 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Camden County College

12

Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earned the #12 position for liberal arts general studies this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Teaneck. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 215 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn a median of $31,469 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus

13

County College Of Morris placed #13 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. County College Of Morris awarded about 195 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of County College Of Morris earn a median of $21,318 early in their careers. County College Of Morris graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for County College Of Morris

14

Montclair State University placed #14 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Montclair State University graduates 65% of students within six years. About 51 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Montclair State University in the most recent year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $22,201 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,967. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Montclair State University

15
Saint Peters College crest
Saint Peters College
Jersey City, NJ

Saint Peters College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Jersey City. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Saint Peters College awarded about 18 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $50,944 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,750. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Saint Peters College

16

Rutgers University Camden placed #16 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Rutgers University Camden awarded about 47 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $35,768 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Rutgers University Camden

17

Mercer County Community College placed #17 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of West Windsor. About 182 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Mercer County Community College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Mercer County Community College earn a median of $27,586 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $5,870 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Mercer County Community College

18

Bergen Community College landed the #18 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Paramus. Bergen Community College awarded about 1,322 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Bergen Community College earn a median of $23,966 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,500. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Bergen Community College

19
Ocean County College crest
Ocean County College
Toms River, NJ

Ocean County College earned the #19 position for liberal arts general studies this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Toms River. There were roughly 872 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Ocean County College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Ocean County College earn around $25,647 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,749. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Ocean County College

20
Union County College crest
Union County College
Cranford, NJ

Union County College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Union County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Cranford. There were roughly 351 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Union County College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Union County College earn a median of $25,989 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Union County College

21

Brookdale Community College landed the #21 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public institution. About 176 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Brookdale Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $20,077. Brookdale Community College graduates carry a median of $8,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Brookdale Community College

22

Hudson County Community College earned the #22 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Hudson County Community College is a large public school located in the city of Jersey City. About 234 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Hudson County Community College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Hudson County Community College earn a median of $25,541 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,000. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Hudson County Community College

23

Atlantic Cape Community College placed #23 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 221 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Atlantic Cape Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Atlantic Cape Community College generally make around $24,197. Typical student debt for the program is $9,500. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Atlantic Cape Community College

24

Essex County College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 197 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Essex County College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Essex County College earn around $25,792 in the first couple years of their career. Essex County College graduates carry a median of $7,302 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Essex County College

25

Passaic County Community College earned the #25 position for liberal arts general studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Paterson. There were roughly 223 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Passaic County Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Passaic County Community College generally make around $25,017. Students borrow a median of $8,625 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Passaic County Community College

Rest of the Top 31 Liberal Arts General Studies Schools

These schools also placed among the best for liberal arts general studies this year:

26
27
28
29
Salem Community College crest
Salem Community College
Carneys Point, NJ
30
31

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 43 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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