Best colleges for NCAA Division I athletes in New Jersey
Colleges that compete in NCAA Division I athletics, ranked by Compass Score.
Best colleges for NCAA Division I athletes in New Jersey8 schools
8 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in New Jersey.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Competes in NCAA Division I (the school's athletics association, from federal and association data).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ · Private nonprofitIvy LeagueHonor Roll#1 in New Jersey
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 98% graduate
- 2
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 84% graduate
- 3
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Newark, NJ · PublicTop 6% for earnings
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 73% graduate
- 4
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ · Private nonprofitTop 14% for earnings
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 69% graduate
- 5
Monmouth University
West Long Branch, NJ · Private nonprofitTop 16% for earnings
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 72% graduate
- 6
Rider University
Lawrenceville, NJ · Private nonprofitTop 24% for earnings
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 61% graduate
- 7
Saint Peter's University
Jersey City, NJ · Private nonprofitTop 22% for low net price
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 58% graduate
- 8
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus
Teaneck, NJ · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B-
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 53% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Princeton University | About $6,000 | $10,320 | $110,066 | 98% |
| Rutgers University-New Brunswick | About $24,000 | $21,500 | $74,479 | 84% |
| New Jersey Institute of Technology | About $17,000 | $21,000 | $84,276 | 73% |
| Seton Hall University | About $31,000 | $22,750 | $70,196 | 69% |
| Monmouth University | About $31,000 | $27,000 | $67,991 | 72% |
| Rider University | About $25,000 | $26,130 | $62,208 | 61% |
| Saint Peter's University | About $12,000 | $20,500 | $57,815 | 58% |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus | About $15,000 | $25,000 | $57,273 | 53% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 10
- Arizona 5
- Arkansas 5
- California 26
- Colorado 5
- Connecticut 6
- District of Columbia 4
- Florida 14
- Georgia 6
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 13
- Indiana 11
- Iowa 4
- Kansas 3
- Kentucky 8
- Louisiana 12
- Maryland 9
- Massachusetts 9
- Michigan 7
- Mississippi 6
- Missouri 6
- Nebraska 3
- New York 23
- North Carolina 19
- Ohio 13
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 4
- Pennsylvania 15
- Rhode Island 4
- South Carolina 12
- Tennessee 12
- Texas 26
- Utah 7
- Virginia 14
- Washington 5
- Wisconsin 4