-- New Jersey Universities & Colleges -

                                  Comparing New Jersey
                                
                                  University and College Tuition and Costs-2019-2020
                                                      
                                                          by Daniela Coleman

​- Public universities & colleges
​* Rutgers  * Montclair State  * Rowan  * Kean  * NJ Institute of Technology  * NJ City 
* William Paterson  * Stockton  * College of NJ  * Ramapo  * Thomas Edison

- Private universities & colleges
*  Princeton  *  Fairleigh Dickinson   *  Seton Hall  *  Drew  *  Bloomfield  *  Caldwell  *  Centenary 
*  Saint Elizabeth  *  Felician *  Georgian Court  *  Monmouth  *  Rider  *  Saint Peters  *  Stevens

*  Comparison of College Tuition and Costs 2019-2020

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Comparing New Jersey

University and College Tuition and Costs-2019-2020

Tuition and corresponding fees are the biggest burden of (almost) every student and when the admission time comes, excitement is often mixed with a lot of anxiety. Knowing in advance which tuitions are acceptable and which require additional effort is a basis for proper budgeting. Tuition comparison will help you make plans and organize your student life so you can dedicate quality time on what truly matters - learning.

Matheny College, Princeton University. Image: NewJerseyAlmanac.com

Difference between tuition and cost of attendance

It is important to note that tuition is only one part of the Cost of Attendance (CoA). Aside from tuition and fees, the full cost of attendance also includes the cost of books and supplies, as well as room and boarding, which are often summed under living expenses. Also, bear in mind that the tuition is significantly higher for out-of-state students attending public colleges. This is partly because the students from another state do not pay New Jersey state taxes which generate revenues from which the college is partially funded.

Tuition Comparison Between Colleges In New Jersey in 2019-2020

We'll do our best to compare all higher education institutions from the list of New Jersey colleges in terms of tuition for 2019-2020 where data is available. We're fully relying on the data provided by the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) of the U.S. Department of Education. We are comparing private and public colleges and universities providing 2 to 4 year, 4-year, and higher, graduate and undergraduate programs in New Jersey.

Public schools

There are 13 public schools in New Jersey providing 4-year and longer undergraduate and graduate programs and the average tuition fee for the academic year 2019-2020 is $14,015.

The least expensive public school on this list is Thomas Edison State University in Trenton, with tuition of $7,926 for in-state and $9,856 for out-of-state students, although it is not entirely comparable to others, being largely an adult education school which offers credits for courses at other institutions, life experience, and online classes. The most expensive is the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, with its in-state tuition of $17,674 and out-of-state tuition of $33,386.

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Old Queens, principal administrative building for Rutgers University, New Brunswick. Image: NewJeseyAlmanac.com

 
The remaining 11 institutions have fairly balanced tuitions, where the first amount represents tuition and fees for in-state and the second for out-of-state students:

1. New Jersey City University in Jersey City, $12,414 and $22,220
2. Kean University in Union, $12,595 and $19,771
3. Montclair State University Montclair, $13,073 and $21,033
4. William Paterson University Of New Jersey in Wayne, $13,370 and $21,768
5. Rowan University in Glassboro, $14,000 and $22,832
6. Stockton University in Galloway, $14,048 and $21,336
7. Ramapo College Of New Jersey in Mahwah, $14,678 and $24,229
8. Rutgers University-Newark in Newark, $14,826 and $31,608
9. Rutgers University in Camden, $15,264 and $31,500
10. Rutgers University in New Brunswick, $15,407 and $32,189
11. The College Of New Jersey in Ewing, $16,923 and $28,901

It is important to point out that students will find the least expensive books and supplies at Kean University in Union ($1,000) and the most expensive at the New Jersey Institute of Technology ($2,900). On average, expenses for the books and supplies are $1,533.

When it comes to community colleges, and their 2 to 4-year programs, out of 19 schools in New Jersey, the most affordable is Middlesex County College in Edison, with a tuition for in-state students of $3,564 and $7,128 for out-of-state. The most expensive tuition is at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft: $5,525 for in-state and $8,780 for out-of-state students.

It should be pointed out that students attracted to community colleges, and their relatively affordable tuition levels, should expect a higher cost of books and supplies. On average, students would need to spend around $8,450.

Private schools

The three most affordable private colleges in New Jersey are Rabbinical College of America in Morristown with a tuition fee of $11,500, Strayer University-New Jersey in Cherry Hill, $13,515, and New Brunswick Theological Seminary, $15,623. They are followed by

1. Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, $17,999
2. Devry University-New Jersey in North Brunswick, $18,139
3. Eastern School Of Acupuncture And Traditional Medicine in Bloomfield, $19,973
4. Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, $20,788
5. Pillar College in Newark, $22,756
6. Berkeley College-Woodland Park in Woodland Park, $26,500
7. Bloomfield College in Bloomfield, $30,310
8. Centenary University in Hackettstown, $33,492
9. Georgian Court University in Lakewood, $33,610
10. College Of Saint Elizabeth in Morristown, $34,226
11. Felician University in Lodi, $35,000
12. Caldwell University in Caldwell, $35,740
13. Saint Peter's University in Jersey City, $38,760
14. Monmouth University in West Long Branch, $39,592
15. Drew University in Madison, $40,960
16. Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus in Teaneck, $42,220
17. Seton Hall University in South Orange, $43,780
18. Rider University in Lawrenceville, $44,460
19. Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus in Madison, $44,720

The two most expensive private schools in New Jersey for the academic year 2019-2020 are Princeton University in Princeton ($52,800) and Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken  ($54,014). Expectedly, the average cost of books and supplies in private schools is $1,335.

Aside from expenses like tuition, fees, and books, students should take into account living costs as well, including room and board fees. Depending on whether students live off or on campus, the average cost varies between $13,572 and $12,278 respectively.

The cost of moving to college is another added expense, and it depends on whether students choose to relocate by themselves or contact a professional such as Van Express Movers, one of the NJ local moving companies. It is imperative to make all the necessary calculations in advance.

Why tuition comparisons matter?

It is obvious that the most prestigious universities in New Jersey (and across the United States) have the highest tuition. Learning from the best in their field has its price, and aside from extensive knowledge, it provides security in terms of employment and a competitive salary. Leading on the list of top colleges in New Jersey in the academic year 2019-2020 is, of course, Princeton University. According to College Tuition Compare, the best schools in the Garden State are: are

1. Princeton University
2. Stevens Institute of Technology
3. Rutgers University-New Brunswick
4. The College of New Jersey
5. Rider University
6. Rutgers University-Newark
7. Ramapo College of New Jersey
8. New Jersey Institute of Technology
9. William Paterson University of New Jersey {why hyperlink? Should all be linked?}
10. Seton Hall University

These colleges are ranked not only by the expected salary 10 years after graduation, but also according to their acceptance and graduation rates, and student-to-faculty (also known as student-teacher) ratio. The best colleges have a low student-to-faculty ratio, which results in fewer students in classrooms and higher teaching effectiveness.

Acceptance and graduation rates are also important quality indicators. Often, the lower the acceptance rate, the higher the graduation rate. It implies that the selection of students who apply is more severe, but those who are accepted can count on graduation within six years or less.

Some analysts have attempted to assess the comparative “value” of attending individual higher educational institutions, using somewhat varying criteria but typically based on academic costs, financial aid, debt, graduation rates, and alumni career and salary data. US News & World Report, for example, in its 2020 Best Value ranking of National Universities (using 2018-2019 cost data) cited Princeton University as the leading school in value in the nation. Other New Jersey schools in the 2020 list and their ranking were New Jersey Institute of Technology (#41);; Rowan University (#120); Stevens Institute of Technology (#136); Rutgers-Camden (#152); Rutgers-New Brunswick (#157); and Rutgers-Newark (#176). Other sources for “value” ratings include Niche.com and The Princeton Review.

These are the current fees but what about the academic year 2020-21?

While the above comparison for the 2019-20 academic year is a helpful starting point for budgeting, it is important to note that tuition levels for the upcoming academic year remain in flux due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

On July 6, Princeton announced financial accommodations for undergraduate students in the form of a 10% tuition discount and removal of activities and athletics fees during 2020-21. Rutgers, on the other hand, has imposed a freeze on tuition and fees, indicating that it will not raise them to compensate for losses due to COVID-19 but doesn’t plan to reduce them either. The university is receiving heavy criticism, however, and is likely facing lawsuits by students claiming that virtual classes are not of the same value as on-campus teaching. The safest option for students enrolling in public and private schools this fall is to contact their preferred college directly and receive up-to-date information on tuition and fees for the new academic year.

*  Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, U.S. Department of Education
*  Best Colleges, US News & World Report
​*  College Scorecard, US Department of Education

*  College Navigator, National Center for Education Statistics
*  CollegeTuitionCompare.com
​*  Niche.com, Best College Value
*  The Princeton Review, Best College Value
​

Daniela Coleman is a full-time middle-level manager, a part-time blogger, and a doubly blessed single parent. While her main topics of interest are related to lifestyle and interior design, she is thrilled to explore a vast range of topics and share her analyses with the public.