Colleges with the best earnings for the price in New Jersey
Colleges ranked by what former students earn ten years after enrolling, compared with four years of net price.
Colleges with the best earnings for the price in New Jersey16 schools
16 schools qualify, ranked by earnings for the price.
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 median earnings ten years after enrolling and a net price from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by earnings divided by four years of net price, highest 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
- Earnings are 4.5× the four-year net price
- Earnings $110,066 ten years out
- 2
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Newark, NJ · PublicTop 6% for earnings
- Earnings are 1.3× the four-year net price
- Earnings $84,276 ten years out
- 3
Rutgers University-Camden
Camden, NJ · PublicTop 11% for earnings
- Earnings are 1.0× the four-year net price
- Earnings $74,479 ten years out
- 4Tie
Rutgers University-Newark
Newark, NJ · PublicTop 11% for earnings
- Earnings are 0.9× the four-year net price
- Earnings $74,479 ten years out
- 4Tie
Ramapo College of New Jersey
Mahwah, NJ · PublicTop 17% for earnings
- Earnings are 0.9× the four-year net price
- Earnings $67,541 ten years out
- 6
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Earnings are 0.8× the four-year net price
- Earnings $74,479 ten years out
- 7Tie
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ · PublicTop 25% for graduation
- Earnings are 0.7× the four-year net price
- Earnings $59,988 ten years out
- 7Tie
The College of New Jersey
Ewing, NJ · PublicTop 7% for graduation
- Earnings are 0.7× the four-year net price
- Earnings $73,323 ten years out
- 7Tie
Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, NJ · Private nonprofitHonor RollTop 1% for earnings
- Earnings are 0.7× the four-year net price
- Earnings $108,772 ten years out
- 7Tie
Drew University
Madison, NJ · Private nonprofitExcellent: Compass grade A-
- Earnings are 0.7× the four-year net price
- Earnings $63,646 ten years out
- 7Tie
Centenary University
Hackettstown, NJ · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Earnings are 0.7× the four-year net price
- Earnings $53,726 ten years out
- 12Tie
Rider University
Lawrenceville, NJ · Private nonprofitTop 24% for earnings
- Earnings are 0.6× the four-year net price
- Earnings $62,208 ten years out
- 12Tie
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus
Madison, NJ · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Earnings are 0.6× the four-year net price
- Earnings $57,273 ten years out
- 12Tie
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ · Private nonprofitTop 14% for earnings
- Earnings are 0.6× the four-year net price
- Earnings $70,196 ten years out
- 15Tie
Monmouth University
West Long Branch, NJ · Private nonprofitTop 16% for earnings
- Earnings are 0.5× the four-year net price
- Earnings $67,991 ten years out
- 15Tie
Caldwell University
Caldwell, NJ · Private nonprofitVery good: Compass grade B+
- Earnings are 0.5× the four-year net price
- Earnings $53,843 ten years out
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% |
| New Jersey Institute of Technology | $16,504 | $21,000 | $84,276 | 73% |
| Rutgers University-Camden | $18,745 | $21,500 | $74,479 | 67% |
| Rutgers University-Newark | $19,703 | $21,500 | $74,479 | 64% |
| Ramapo College of New Jersey | $18,173 | $21,000 | $67,541 | 70% |
| Rutgers University-New Brunswick | $24,406 | $21,500 | $74,479 | 84% |
| Rowan University | $22,408 | $20,500 | $59,988 | 67% |
| The College of New Jersey | $27,646 | $23,250 | $73,323 | 86% |
| Stevens Institute of Technology | $41,346 | $27,000 | $108,772 | 87% |
| Drew University | $24,280 | $25,288 | $63,646 | 70% |
| Centenary University | $20,503 | $23,163 | $53,726 | 56% |
| Rider University | $24,792 | $26,130 | $62,208 | 61% |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus | $22,829 | $25,000 | $57,273 | 67% |
| Seton Hall University | $31,446 | $22,750 | $70,196 | 69% |
| Monmouth University | $30,988 | $27,000 | $67,991 | 72% |
| Caldwell University | $24,691 | $25,000 | $53,843 | 57% |
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 62
- 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 18
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New York 77
- North Carolina 16
- Ohio 32
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 10
- Pennsylvania 60
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 9
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 20
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 20
- Washington 13
- Wisconsin 15