2026 College Rankings

Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – New Jersey Athletic Conference

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New Jersey Athletic Conference

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The Top 50 Best Colleges in the US is College Raptor’s most prestigious rankings list. Updated annually, these schools are celebrated for their rich histories, stunning campuses, excellent academics, and vibrant student life. The institutions on this list are known for both academic excellence and impressive extracurricular opportunities, making them “dream schools” for students around the world. Use these rankings as a jumping-off point for you to create your own personalized rankings using our college match tool.

Methodology

Each of these rankings is based on an analysis of data about the school’s selectivity, financial health, graduation rates, student success, and more. We’ve outlined our full methodology here.

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Rank	Institution	Undergraduates	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	The College of New Jersey	7435	62.35	1,150 – 1,350	22379	62649	#1 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – New Jersey Athletic Conference The College of New Jersey Ewing, NJ The College of New Jersey was founded in 1855 and originally called the New Jersey State Normal School. It received its current name in 1996. The college has a first year retention rate of 91%....Read more Undergraduates 7,435 Acceptance Rate 62.4% SAT Score 1,150 – 1,350 Avg. Net Price $22,379 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $62,649
2	Ramapo College of New Jersey	5444	70.64	1,120 – 1,310	17348	53872	#2 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – New Jersey Athletic Conference Ramapo College of New Jersey Mahwah, NJ Based in Mahwah, Ramapo College of New Jersey’s acceptance rate is 71%. They request $65 for undergraduate applications, but fee waivers may be requested. About 54% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid. At Ramapo College of New Jersey, there is a 83% first year retention rate and 58% of students......Read more Undergraduates 5,444 Acceptance Rate 70.6% SAT Score 1,120 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $17,348 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,872
3	Christopher Newport University	4407	87.96	1,110 – 1,310	22864	51931	#3 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – New Jersey Athletic Conference Christopher Newport University Newport News, VA Based in Newport News, Christopher Newport University accepted 88% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests $65 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 54% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school. 83% of students decide to stay at Christopher Newport University......Read more Undergraduates 4,407 Acceptance Rate 88.0% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $22,864 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,931
4	Stockton University	7565	88.94	1,040 – 1,230	19752	48223	#4 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – New Jersey Athletic Conference Stockton University Galloway, NJ Found in Galloway, Stockton University accepted 89% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request $50 for undergraduate applications, but fee waivers may be offered. Approximately 84% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid....Read more Undergraduates 7,565 Acceptance Rate 88.9% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $19,752 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,223
5	Rutgers University-Camden	3922	77.75	1,030 – 1,280	18735	61263	#5 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – New Jersey Athletic Conference Rutgers University-Camden Camden, NJ Found in Camden, Rutgers University-Camden accepted 78% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. Undergraduates have to send in $70 to apply. Approximately 90% of students attending Rutgers University-Camden currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The......Read more Undergraduates 3,922 Acceptance Rate 77.8% SAT Score 1,030 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $18,735 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $61,263
6	Rutgers University-Newark	7417	78.73	1,080 – 1,370	17425	61263	#6 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – New Jersey Athletic Conference Rutgers University-Newark Newark, NJ Located in Newark, Rutgers University-Newark accepts 79% of applicants. Undergraduates have to pay $70 to apply. About 58% of students attending Rutgers University-Newark will receive institutional grant aid....Read more Undergraduates 7,417 Acceptance Rate 78.7% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $17,425 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $61,263
7	Rowan University	16199	78.3	1,110 – 1,320	22237	50705	#7 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – New Jersey Athletic Conference Rowan University Glassboro, NJ Found in Glassboro, Rowan University’s acceptance rate is 78% and requests $65 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 77% of students attending Rowan University will receive grant aid from the school. At Rowan University, there is a 82% first year retention rate and around 46% of students will earn a degree within......Read more Undergraduates 16,199 Acceptance Rate 78.3% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $22,237 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,705
8	Salisbury University	6288	87.47	1,170 – 1,330	17931	51926	#8 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – New Jersey Athletic Conference Salisbury University Salisbury, MD Found in Salisbury, Salisbury University accepts 87% of applicants. They request unknown for undergraduate applications. About 88% of students attending Salisbury University currently receive grant aid from the school. The first year retention rate is 77%....Read more Undergraduates 6,288 Acceptance Rate 87.5% SAT Score 1,170 – 1,330 Avg. Net Price $17,931 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,926
9	Montclair State University	18712	87.89	910 – 1,210	13880	47944	#9 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – New Jersey Athletic Conference Montclair State University Montclair, NJ Found in Montclair, Montclair State University accepted 88% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires $65 for undergraduate applications and $60 for graduate applications. About 51% of students attending Montclair State University currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 18,712 Acceptance Rate 87.9% SAT Score 910 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $13,880 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,944
10	William Paterson University of New Jersey	6546	92.52	990 – 1,350	16999	44928	#10 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – New Jersey Athletic Conference William Paterson University of New Jersey Wayne, NJ Located in Wayne, William Paterson University of New Jersey accepted 93% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges $50 for undergraduate applications. About 65% of students at William Paterson University of New Jersey currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more......Read more Undergraduates 6,546 Acceptance Rate 92.5% SAT Score 990 – 1,350 Avg. Net Price $16,999 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,928
11	Kean University	11758	76.88	900 – 1,170	11593	46603	#11 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – New Jersey Athletic Conference Kean University Union, NJ Located in Union, Kean University accepted 77% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires $75 for undergraduate applications and $75 for graduate applications. Approximately 75% of students attending Kean University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more......Read more Undergraduates 11,758 Acceptance Rate 76.9% SAT Score 900 – 1,170 Avg. Net Price $11,593 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,603