2026 Best Value Psychology Schools in New Jersey
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Psychology Schools
For return on investment in psychology, no school beat Princeton University this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $47,050 early in their careers. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New Jersey City University earned it the #2 place for psychology. Located in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,460. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $22,081. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $58,265. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kean University earned it the #3 place for psychology. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $54,011. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
Atlantic Cape Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,594, with out-of-state students paying around $8,350. Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,002 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Atlantic Cape Community College generally make around $37,141. That is a strong return on a $12,002 median debt.
Somerset Christian College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Newark, Somerset Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,900. Psychology graduates carry a median of $35,853 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Somerset Christian College generally make around $45,622. That is a strong return on a $35,853 median debt.
Montclair State University landed the #6 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $49,214. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Gloucester County College landed the #7 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,160 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,000 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,236 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Gloucester County College earn a median of $38,274 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Peters College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,552. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $25,500. Early-career psychology graduates make about $18,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Peters College admits about 90% of applicants.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus placed #9 among the best values for psychology. Set in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,010. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $24,966. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus generally make around $73,721. Set against $24,966 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey placed #10 among the best values for psychology. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,704, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $32,418. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University Camden came in at #11 for value in psychology this year. Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Camden. In-state tuition and fees average $17,764, compared with $37,276 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $36,949. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
College Of Saint Elizabeth landed the #12 spot for psychology value this year. College Of Saint Elizabeth is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Morristown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,740. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $25,000. Early-career psychology graduates make about $35,940. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Centenary College landed the #13 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Hackettstown, Centenary College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,732 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $25,358. Early-career psychology graduates make about $27,933. That is a strong return on a $25,358 median debt. Centenary College admits about 83% of applicants.
Rutgers University Newark earned the #14 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,250, with out-of-state students paying around $36,762. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Rutgers University Newark generally make around $50,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey came in at #15 for value in psychology this year. Located in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,266, while out-of-state students pay about $24,524. Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey generally make around $28,046. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Georgian Court University placed #16 among the best values for psychology. Set in the city of Lakewood, Georgian Court University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,110. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $22,375. Early-career psychology graduates make about $48,934. Set against $22,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey landed the #17 spot for psychology value this year. Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Mahwah. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,777, while out-of-state students pay about $27,708. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $26,362. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University earned the #18 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $65,024. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Caldwell College came in at #19 for value in psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Caldwell, Caldwell College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,848 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,690 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Caldwell College generally make around $58,179. That is a strong return on a $26,690 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #20 position for value in psychology this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $53,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Bloomfield College earned the #21 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Bloomfield, Bloomfield College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $29,982. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham came in at #22 for value in psychology this year. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $37,468. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $24,966. Early-career psychology graduates make about $50,313. Set against $24,966 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham admits about 95% of applicants.
Rider University placed #23 among the best values for psychology. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,120 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Rider University generally make around $55,269. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
The College Of New Jersey ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,632, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $24,905. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from The College Of New Jersey generally make around $28,920. Set against $24,905 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Drew University landed the #25 spot for psychology value this year. Drew University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,100. Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,059 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Drew University earn a median of $34,305 early in their careers. Set against $26,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Drew University admits about 68% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Psychology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s psychology value ranking:
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong psychology education at a price that pays off.
