Colleges with the lowest student debt in New Jersey
Colleges whose graduates leave with the least federal student debt.
Colleges with the lowest student debt in New Jersey16 schools
16 schools qualify, ranked by median debt.
How this list is made
- Schools in New Jersey.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
- Has the median federal loan debt of graduates from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by median debt, lowest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ · Private nonprofitIvy LeagueHonor Roll#1 in New Jersey
- Median debt $10,320
- 98% graduate
- 2
- 3Tie
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Newark, NJ · PublicTop 6% for earnings
- Median debt $21,000
- 73% graduate
- 3Tie
- 5Tie
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Median debt $21,500
- 84% graduate
- 5Tie
- 5Tie
- 8
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ · Private nonprofitTop 14% for earnings
- Median debt $22,750
- 69% graduate
- 9
Centenary University
Hackettstown, NJ · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Median debt $23,163
- 56% graduate
- 10
- 11Tie
Caldwell University
Caldwell, NJ · Private nonprofitVery good: Compass grade B+
- Median debt $25,000
- 57% graduate
- 11Tie
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus
Madison, NJ · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Median debt $25,000
- 67% graduate
- 13
Drew University
Madison, NJ · Private nonprofitExcellent: Compass grade A-
- Median debt $25,288
- 70% graduate
- 14
Rider University
Lawrenceville, NJ · Private nonprofitTop 24% for earnings
- Median debt $26,130
- 61% graduate
- 15Tie
Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, NJ · Private nonprofitHonor RollTop 1% for earnings
- Median debt $27,000
- 87% graduate
- 15Tie
Monmouth University
West Long Branch, NJ · Private nonprofitTop 16% for earnings
- Median debt $27,000
- 72% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Princeton University | $6,128 | $10,320 | $110,066 | 98% |
| Rowan University | $22,408 | $20,500 | $59,988 | 67% |
| New Jersey Institute of Technology | $16,504 | $21,000 | $84,276 | 73% |
| Ramapo College of New Jersey | $18,173 | $21,000 | $67,541 | 70% |
| Rutgers University-New Brunswick | $24,406 | $21,500 | $74,479 | 84% |
| Rutgers University-Camden | $18,745 | $21,500 | $74,479 | 67% |
| Rutgers University-Newark | $19,703 | $21,500 | $74,479 | 64% |
| Seton Hall University | $31,446 | $22,750 | $70,196 | 69% |
| Centenary University | $20,503 | $23,163 | $53,726 | 56% |
| The College of New Jersey | $27,646 | $23,250 | $73,323 | 86% |
| Caldwell University | $24,691 | $25,000 | $53,843 | 57% |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus | $22,829 | $25,000 | $57,273 | 67% |
| Drew University | $24,280 | $25,288 | $63,646 | 70% |
| Rider University | $24,792 | $26,130 | $62,208 | 61% |
| Stevens Institute of Technology | $41,346 | $27,000 | $108,772 | 87% |
| Monmouth University | $30,988 | $27,000 | $67,991 | 72% |
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 5
- Arizona 4
- Arkansas 5
- California 61
- Colorado 6
- Connecticut 13
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 21
- Georgia 9
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 21
- Iowa 16
- Kansas 4
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 3
- Maine 9
- Maryland 15
- Massachusetts 46
- Michigan 20
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 19
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New York 75
- North Carolina 18
- Ohio 33
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 60
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 10
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 20
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 21
- Washington 13
- Wisconsin 15