2026 Best Value General Economics Schools in New Jersey
[General Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 18 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general economics students.
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2026 Best Value General Economics Schools in New Jersey
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Economics Schools
Leading the list is Saint Peters College, our #1 best value for general economics in New Jersey. 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 general economics graduates is $22,969. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Saint Peters College generally make around $50,944. Set against $22,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #2 makes Montclair State University one of the best values for general economics. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. General Economics graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $39,375. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes William Paterson University Of New Jersey one of the best values for general economics. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,704, compared with $25,344 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,281 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn a median of $43,148 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Rutgers University Camden one of the best values for general economics. Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Camden. In-state tuition and fees average $17,764, with out-of-state students paying around $37,276. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $24,965. Early-career general economics graduates make about $51,848. Set against $24,965 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rutgers University Newark earned it the #5 place for general economics. Located in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,762 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $24,965. General Economics graduates of Rutgers University Newark earn a median of $51,848 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Rowan University landed the #6 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. General Economics graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $38,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #7 spot for general economics value this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $24,965. General Economics graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $51,848 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of New Jersey placed #8 among the best values for general economics. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,632, compared with $25,752 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $23,500. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from The College Of New Jersey generally make around $62,218. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. The College Of New Jersey admits about 62% of applicants.
Drew University landed the #9 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the suburb of Madison, Drew University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,100. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $26,914. General Economics graduates of Drew University earn a median of $33,639 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Seton Hall University earned the #10 position for value in general economics this year. Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Orange. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,170. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $21,413. Early-career general economics graduates make about $51,464. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
