2026 Best Value Value Schools in New Jersey
[Value](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.
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2026 Best Value Value Schools in New Jersey
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
Kean University tops our 2026 list of the best value value schools in New Jersey. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $50,338. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Teaneck. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,010. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,770. Early-career value graduates make about $66,770. Set against $24,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rutgers University Camden earned it the #3 place for value. Located in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,764, with out-of-state students paying around $37,276. Value graduates carry a median of $24,577 in student loans. Value graduates of Rutgers University Camden earn a median of $58,428 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Rutgers University Newark one of the best values for value. Set in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,250, compared with $36,762 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $25,065 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $58,428. That is a strong return on a $25,065 median debt. Rutgers University Newark admits about 71% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Seton Hall University one of the best values for value. 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. Students borrow a median of $23,422 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Seton Hall University generally make around $52,985. Set against $23,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
