2026 Best Value Teaching Schools in New Jersey
Looking for the best-value Teaching degree programs in New Jersey? Our ranking highlights 149 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Teaching Degree Search evaluated 22 schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Teaching Degree Schools in New Jersey
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat Essex County College this year in New Jersey. Based in Newark, NJ, Essex County College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,415, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Essex County College Teaching students take on a median of $12,472 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $37,230. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Essex County College report
Out of the 22 schools in New Jersey in this year's value ranking, Gloucester County College landed the #2 spot. Set in Sewell, NJ, Gloucester County College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,160, while out-of-state students pay about $6,000. Graduates carry a median of $13,236 in student loans. Gloucester County College alumni report median earnings of $41,751 a decade after entry. Set against $13,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Gloucester County College
A rank of #3 makes The College Of New Jersey one of the best values in New Jersey. Based in Ewing, NJ, The College Of New Jersey is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,632, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. Students borrow a median of $24,429 to complete their Teaching program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $73,323. Set against $24,429 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%. Get the full The College Of New Jersey report
You'll get strong value at Montclair State University, which ranked #4 this year. Set in Montclair, NJ, Montclair State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. The median Teaching program debt is $25,286. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,415 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Montclair State University
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kean University earned it the #5 place in New Jersey. Located in Union, NJ, Kean University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. The median Teaching program debt is $26,703. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,237. Set against $26,703 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 76% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Kean University
William Paterson University Of New Jersey came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Set in Wayne, NJ, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,344 for out-of-state students. William Paterson University Of New Jersey Teaching students take on a median of $25,644 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,780. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%. Get the full William Paterson University Of New Jersey report
Rowan University landed the #7 spot for value in New Jersey this year. Rowan University is a public school based in Glassboro, NJ. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. The median Teaching program debt is $24,488. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 78% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Rowan University
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus placed #8 among the best-value Teaching schools in New Jersey. Based in Teaneck, NJ, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,010. Graduates carry a median of $24,770 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,273. That is a strong return on a $24,770 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus report
Brookdale Community College landed the #9 spot for value in New Jersey this year. Brookdale Community College is a public school based in Lincroft, NJ. Students from in state pay about $6,270 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,140. Graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Median earnings reach $44,379 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt. See the full Brookdale Community College profile
Centenary College placed #10 among the best-value Teaching schools in New Jersey. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hackettstown, NJ. In-state tuition and fees average $37,732. Graduates carry a median of $25,081 in student loans. Centenary College alumni report median earnings of $53,726 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 83% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Centenary College profile
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey landed the #11 spot for value in New Jersey this year. Based in Galloway, NJ, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,266 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,524 for out-of-state students. Typical Teaching student debt is $24,990. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey alumni report median earnings of $57,602 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. About 89% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey report
Ramapo College Of New Jersey came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Mahwah, NJ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,777, compared with $27,708 for out-of-state students. Ramapo College Of New Jersey Teaching students take on a median of $24,014 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $67,541. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ramapo College Of New Jersey admits about 71% of applicants. Read more about Ramapo College Of New Jersey
New Jersey City University came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Based in Jersey City, NJ, New Jersey City University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,460. Typical Teaching student debt is $22,107. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,745 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,107 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted. See the full New Jersey City University profile
Rutgers University New Brunswick offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Set in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. The median Teaching program debt is $25,120. Median earnings reach $74,479 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $25,120 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%. Read more about Rutgers University New Brunswick
Georgian Court University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Based in Lakewood, NJ, Georgian Court University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $37,110. Georgian Court University Teaching students take on a median of $24,752 in debt. Georgian Court University alumni report median earnings of $53,096 a decade after entry. Set against $24,752 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted. More on Georgian Court University
Rider University placed #16 among the best-value Teaching schools in New Jersey. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lawrenceville, NJ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,120. Typical Teaching student debt is $26,241. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,208. Set against $26,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rider University admits about 79% of applicants. See the full Rider University profile
Felician College offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lodi, NJ. Students from in state pay about $39,300 in tuition and fees. Typical Teaching student debt is $28,500. Median earnings reach $57,602 ten years out. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Felician College report
Seton Hall University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Set in South Orange, NJ, Seton Hall University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,170 in tuition and fees. Seton Hall University Teaching students take on a median of $23,422 in debt. Seton Hall University alumni report median earnings of $70,196 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Seton Hall University admits about 73% of applicants. Read the full report on Seton Hall University
Caldwell College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Caldwell, NJ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,848. Typical Teaching student debt is $26,188. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,843. Set against $26,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted. More on Caldwell College
Saint Peters College came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Set in Jersey City, NJ, Saint Peters College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,552. Typical Teaching student debt is $22,969. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,815. That is a strong return on a $22,969 median debt. Saint Peters College has an acceptance rate of 90%. Get the full Saint Peters College report
Monmouth University placed #21 among the best-value Teaching schools in New Jersey. Located in West Long Branch, NJ, Monmouth University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $46,552. Monmouth University Teaching students take on a median of $26,847 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $67,991. Set against $26,847 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Monmouth University
College Of Saint Elizabeth offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. College Of Saint Elizabeth is a private not-for-profit school based in Morristown, NJ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,740. Students borrow a median of $25,496 to complete their Teaching program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,038. Set against $25,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 71% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full College Of Saint Elizabeth report
Stevens Institute Of Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. See the full Stevens Institute Of Technology profile
Mercer County Community College landed the #24 spot for value in New Jersey this year. Read the full report on Mercer County Community College
Hudson County Community College landed the #25 spot for value in New Jersey this year. See the full Hudson County Community College profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Teaching Degree Schools in New Jersey
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Lincoln Technical Institute Mahwah ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. More on Lincoln Technical Institute Mahwah
Rabbi Jacob Joseph School came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. More on Rabbi Jacob Joseph School
Strayer University New Jersey landed the #28 spot for value in New Jersey this year. See the full Strayer University New Jersey profile
American Institute Of Medical Sciences And Education ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Read more about American Institute Of Medical Sciences And Education
Atlantic Beauty And Spa Academy Llc ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Read more about Atlantic Beauty And Spa Academy Llc
Devry University New Jersey offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. More on Devry University New Jersey
Lincoln Technical Institute South Plainfield placed #32 among the best-value Teaching schools in New Jersey. Get the full Lincoln Technical Institute South Plainfield report
Yeshiva Gedolah Tiferes Boruch landed the #33 spot for value in New Jersey this year. Read the full report on Yeshiva Gedolah Tiferes Boruch
Beth Medrash Of Asbury Park placed #34 among the best-value Teaching schools in New Jersey. Read the full report on Beth Medrash Of Asbury Park
Pennco Tech Blackwood offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. See the full Pennco Tech Blackwood profile
Universal Training Institute placed #36 among the best-value Teaching schools in New Jersey. More on Universal Training Institute
Adult And Continuing Education Bcts came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Adult And Continuing Education Bcts
Holy Name Medical Center School Of Nursing ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. More on Holy Name Medical Center School Of Nursing
Rizzieri Institute placed #39 among the best-value Teaching schools in New Jersey. Read the full report on Rizzieri Institute
Fortis Institute Lawrenceville came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Fortis Institute Lawrenceville report
Empire Beauty School Cherry Hill landed the #41 spot for value in New Jersey this year. See the full Empire Beauty School Cherry Hill profile
Rabbinical Seminary Mkor Chaim offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. Read more about Rabbinical Seminary Mkor Chaim
P B Cosmetology Education Center placed #43 among the best-value Teaching schools in New Jersey. Get the full P B Cosmetology Education Center report
Salon Professional Academy landed the #44 spot for value in New Jersey this year. Read the full report on Salon Professional Academy
Fortis Institute Wayne came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Fortis Institute Wayne
Eastern International College Jersey City placed #46 among the best-value Teaching schools in New Jersey. Read the full report on Eastern International College Jersey City
Yeshiva Bais Aharon ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Read the full report on Yeshiva Bais Aharon
New Jersey Institute Of Technology ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. More on New Jersey Institute Of Technology
American Institute Toms River ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Read more about American Institute Toms River
Bergen Community College landed the #50 spot for value in New Jersey this year. See the full Bergen Community College profile
More Teaching Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Teaching Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 22 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 149 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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