2026 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in New Jersey
[General Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/general-chemistry/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general chemistry education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 32 schools to find the best return on investment for general chemistry students.
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2026 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in New Jersey
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general chemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Chemistry Schools
Our analysis ranked Princeton University the best value for a degree in general chemistry in New Jersey. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Students looking for strong value in general chemistry will find it at Montclair State University, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $23,600. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $55,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Gloucester County College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Located in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,160, while out-of-state students pay about $6,000. Students borrow a median of $13,236 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Gloucester County College earn a median of $38,274 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,236 median debt.
Kean University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general chemistry, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $26,703. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $48,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rutgers University Newark earned it the #5 place for general chemistry. Rutgers University Newark is a large public school located in the city of Newark. Students from in state pay about $17,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,762. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $23,250. General Chemistry graduates of Rutgers University Newark earn a median of $61,948 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Rowan University earned the #6 position for value in general chemistry this year. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $53,607 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #7 spot for general chemistry 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, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $61,948. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
The College Of New Jersey landed the #8 spot for general chemistry value this year. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,632, with out-of-state students paying around $25,752. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Chemistry graduates of The College Of New Jersey earn a median of $56,617 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Seton Hall University landed the #9 spot for general chemistry value this year. Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Orange. In-state tuition and fees average $53,170. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $23,422. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $63,871. Set against $23,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Seton Hall University admits about 73% of applicants.
Monmouth University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Set in the suburb of West Long Branch, Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,552. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $27,000. General Chemistry graduates of Monmouth University earn a median of $43,512 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Monmouth University admits about 89% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
