2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in New Jersey
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the social sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Social Sciences Schools
Princeton University tops our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools in New Jersey. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $86,946. Set against $11,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Essex County College earned it the #2 place for social sciences. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,415, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Students borrow a median of $5,851 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $22,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brookdale Community College earned it the #3 place for social sciences. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,270, with out-of-state students paying around $10,140. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $9,500. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $26,231. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
New Jersey City University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,460. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,781. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $32,082. That is a strong return on a $25,781 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Peters College earned it the #5 place for social sciences. Set in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,552. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $50,944. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University landed the #6 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Kean University earn a median of $33,726 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
Montclair State University came in at #7 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,452 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $33,368. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey landed the #8 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,704, compared with $25,344 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,969. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $39,139. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rutgers University Camden ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,764, with out-of-state students paying around $37,276. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,627 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Rutgers University Camden earn a median of $43,693 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University Camden admits about 66% of applicants.
Rutgers University Newark landed the #10 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,250, with out-of-state students paying around $36,762. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,282. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Rutgers University Newark generally make around $46,220. That is a strong return on a $25,282 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,266 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,524 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,364 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earn a median of $29,380 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,364 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $16,777 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,708 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,031 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $39,349. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,452. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $34,505. That is a strong return on a $23,452 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #14 for value in social sciences this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,295 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $47,057. Set against $25,295 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham placed #15 among the best values for social sciences. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,468. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $37,619. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Bloomfield College came in at #16 for value in social sciences this year. Bloomfield College is a small public school located in the suburb of Bloomfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $30,000. Social Sciences graduates of Bloomfield College earn a median of $33,930 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of New Jersey ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Ewing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,632, compared with $25,752 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,401 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from The College Of New Jersey generally make around $49,039. That is a strong return on a $24,401 median debt. The College Of New Jersey admits about 62% of applicants.
Drew University earned the #18 position for value in social sciences 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. Students borrow a median of $26,908 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Drew University earn a median of $33,693 early in their careers. Set against $26,908 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Seton Hall University earned the #19 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,170. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,834 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Seton Hall University generally make around $39,935. That is a strong return on a $22,834 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Monmouth University placed #20 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the suburb of West Long Branch, Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $46,552. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,115 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $36,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
