2026 College Rankings

Best Colleges in New Jersey

About

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	Princeton University	5813	4.62	1,510 – 1,570	19811	87815	#1 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey Princeton University Princeton, NJ A private Ivy League research university, Princeton University was founded in 1746 and originally known as the College of New Jersey, making it the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the country. An extremely selective school, Princeton receives around 40,500 applications annually. Undergraduates 5,813 Acceptance Rate 4.6% SAT Score 1,510 – 1,570 Avg. Net Price $19,811 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $87,815
2	Stevens Institute of Technology	4236	47.58	1,390 – 1,510	43665	90326	#2 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, NJ Located right on the Hudson River a few minutes from New York City, Stevens Institute of Technology has an 11 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and about 63% of students will graduate in 4 years....Read more Undergraduates 4,236 Acceptance Rate 47.6% SAT Score 1,390 – 1,510 Avg. Net Price $43,665 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $90,326
3	Rutgers University-New Brunswick	36588	65.35	1,280 – 1,480	19052	61263	#3 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ New Brunswick is the oldest of the three campuses that make up Rutgers University. The school has 19 undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools, with many students majoring in Computer and Information Sciences, General, and Social Work....Read more Undergraduates 36,588 Acceptance Rate 65.4% SAT Score 1,280 – 1,480 Avg. Net Price $19,052 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $61,263
4	The College of New Jersey	7435	62.35	1,150 – 1,350	22379	62649	#4 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey 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
5	Seton Hall University	6146	73.26	1,230 – 1,400	31642	60291	#5 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ Based in South Orange, Seton Hall University accepted 73% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires $65 for undergraduate applications and $75 for graduate applications. Approximately 100% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 6,146 Acceptance Rate 73.3% SAT Score 1,230 – 1,400 Avg. Net Price $31,642 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $60,291
6	Drew University	1611	67.83	1,110 – 1,350	28193	47562	#6 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey Drew University Madison, NJ Based in Madison, Drew University accepted 68% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $40 for undergraduate applications. About 98% of students attending Drew University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. 88% of students continued their studies......Read more Undergraduates 1,611 Acceptance Rate 67.8% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,350 Avg. Net Price $28,193 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,562
7	New Jersey Institute of Technology	10200	65.07	1,250 – 1,470	16736	69591	#7 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, NJ Based in Newark, New Jersey Institute of Technology’s acceptance rate is 65% and charges $75 for undergraduate applications. About 75% of students at New Jersey Institute of Technology currently receive institutional grant aid. The school’s first year retention rate is 90% and its four year graduation rate is 38%. Three......Read more Undergraduates 10,200 Acceptance Rate 65.1% SAT Score 1,250 – 1,470 Avg. Net Price $16,736 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $69,591
8	Ramapo College of New Jersey	5444	70.64	1,120 – 1,310	17348	53872	#8 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey 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
9	Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus	1997	95.26	1,080 – 1,240	26472	45916	#9 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus Madison, NJ The Florham campus Fairleigh Dickinson opened in 1958, with other campuses located in New Jersey, Canada, and the United Kingdom. With an 80% first year retention rate, many students major in Business Administration and Management, General, Pharmacy, Psychology, and General. Undergraduates 1,997 Acceptance Rate 95.3% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $26,472 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,916
10	Monmouth University	3710	89.02	1,150 – 1,320	33228	55825	#10 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey Monmouth University West Long Branch, NJ Located in West Long Branch, Monmouth University accepts 89% of applicants and requires $60 for undergraduate applications and $60 for graduate applications. Approximately 100% of students attending Monmouth University currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more Undergraduates 3,710 Acceptance Rate 89.0% SAT Score 1,150 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $33,228 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $55,825
11	Stockton University	7565	88.94	1,040 – 1,230	19752	48223	#11 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey 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
12	Rider University	3196	79.4	1,110 – 1,320	26618	51289	#12 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey Rider University Lawrenceville, NJ Based in Lawrenceville, Rider University accepts 79% of applicants. They require $50 for undergraduate applications. About 100% of students attending Rider University currently receive grant aid from the school. The institution’s first year retention rate is 80% and its four year graduation rate is 54%. The common areas of......Read more Undergraduates 3,196 Acceptance Rate 79.4% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $26,618 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,289
13	Rutgers University-Camden	3922	77.75	1,030 – 1,280	18735	61263	#13 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey 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
14	Rowan University	16199	78.3	1,110 – 1,320	22237	50705	#14 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey 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
15	Rutgers University-Newark	7417	78.73	1,080 – 1,370	17425	61263	#15 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey 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
16	Montclair State University	18712	87.89	910 – 1,210	13880	47944	#16 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey 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
17	Centenary University	951	96.75	850 – 1,080	22838	46049	#17 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey Centenary University Hackettstown, NJ Centenary University was originally founded in 1867 as a preparatory school. Today, the school is known for being a non-selective university, with an acceptance rate of 97%. Of attending students 87% stay after the first year and 59% will graduate within 4 years....Read more Undergraduates 951 Acceptance Rate 96.8% SAT Score 850 – 1,080 Avg. Net Price $22,838 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,049
18	Georgian Court University	1478	70.52	1,060 – 1,280	21072	44627	#18 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey Georgian Court University Lakewood, NJ Based in Lakewood, Georgian Court University accepted 71% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. Undergraduates have to pay unknown to apply. Approximately 99% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 1,478 Acceptance Rate 70.5% SAT Score 1,060 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $21,072 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,627
19	Caldwell University	1448	65.4	1,010 – 1,320	23071	47439	#19 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey Caldwell University Caldwell, NJ Based in Caldwell, Caldwell University accepts 65% of applicants and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 100% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The first year retention rate is 74%....Read more Undergraduates 1,448 Acceptance Rate 65.4% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $23,071 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,439
20	Saint Peter's University	2101	90.53	970 – 1,170	14486	42470	#20 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey Saint Peter's University Jersey City, NJ Found in Jersey City, Saint Peter's University accepts 91% of applicants and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. About 99% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The first year retention rate is 77%....Read more Undergraduates 2,101 Acceptance Rate 90.5% SAT Score 970 – 1,170 Avg. Net Price $14,486 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,470
21	Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus	7703	95.56	990 – 1,220	17121	45916	#21 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus Teaneck, NJ Undergraduates 7,703 Acceptance Rate 95.6% SAT Score 990 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $17,121 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,916
22	William Paterson University of New Jersey	6546	92.52	990 – 1,350	16999	44928	#22 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey 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
23	Felician University	1870	95.11	900 – 1,110	15818	56957	#23 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey Felician University Lodi, NJ Based in Lodi, Felician University accepts 95% of applicants and requests $30 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 99% of students at Felician University currently receive grant aid from the school. 76% of students continued their studies at Felician University after completing their first year....Read more Undergraduates 1,870 Acceptance Rate 95.1% SAT Score 900 – 1,110 Avg. Net Price $15,818 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $56,957
24	Kean University	11758	76.88	900 – 1,170	11593	46603	#24 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey 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
25	Saint Elizabeth University	670	95.41	890 – 1,090	18412	49479	#25 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey Saint Elizabeth University Morristown, NJ Based in Morristown, Saint Elizabeth University accepts 95% of applicants and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 98% of students at Saint Elizabeth University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. At Saint Elizabeth University, there is a 80%......Read more Undergraduates 670 Acceptance Rate 95.4% SAT Score 890 – 1,090 Avg. Net Price $18,412 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,479
26	New Jersey City University	4209	89.18	890 – 1,140	12157	45918	#26 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey New Jersey City University Jersey City, NJ Based in Jersey City, New Jersey City University accepted 89% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. About 51% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 4,209 Acceptance Rate 89.2% SAT Score 890 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $12,157 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,918
27	Berkeley College	1900	78.32	--	20068	37060	#27 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey Berkeley College Woodland Park, NJ Based in Woodland Park, Berkeley College’s acceptance rate is 78%. Undergraduates have to send in $50 to apply. Approximately 88% of students at Berkeley College will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Undergraduates 1,900 Acceptance Rate 78.3% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $20,068 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,060
28	Bloomfield College	904	67.23	780 – 940	18522	35477	#28 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey Bloomfield College Bloomfield, NJ Based in Bloomfield, Bloomfield College’s acceptance rate is 67%. Undergraduates have to send in $40 to apply. Approximately 97% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Undergraduates 904 Acceptance Rate 67.2% SAT Score 780 – 940 Avg. Net Price $18,522 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,477
29	Pillar College	489	39.76	--	5842	37885	#29 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey Pillar College Newark, NJ Based in Newark, Pillar College accepts 40% of applicants. They request $50 for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. Approximately 88% of students at Pillar College will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. At Pillar College, there is a 70% first year retention......Read more Undergraduates 489 Acceptance Rate 39.8% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $5,842 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,885
30	Bais Medrash Toras Chesed	125	63.01	--	7484	53468	#30 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey Bais Medrash Toras Chesed Lakewood, NJ Undergraduates 125 Acceptance Rate 63.0% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $7,484 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,468
31	Rabbinical College of America	197	87.14	--	14947	54272	#31 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey Rabbinical College of America Morristown, NJ Undergraduates 197 Acceptance Rate 87.1% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $14,947 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,272
32	Yeshiva Gedolah Keren Hatorah	189	100	--	9303	63721	#32 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey Yeshiva Gedolah Keren Hatorah Lakewood, NJ Undergraduates 189 Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $9,303 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,721
33	Yeshiva Toras Chaim	225	98.41	--	5821	53468	#33 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey Yeshiva Toras Chaim Lakewood, NJ Undergraduates 225 Acceptance Rate 98.4% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $5,821 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,468
34	Yeshiva Gedolah Shaarei Shmuel	132	53	--	8944	63721	#34 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey Yeshiva Gedolah Shaarei Shmuel Lakewood, NJ Undergraduates 132 Acceptance Rate 53.0% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $8,944 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,721
35	Eastern International College-Jersey City	474	100	--	23532	59213	#35 2026 Best Colleges in New Jersey Eastern International College-Jersey City Jersey City, NJ Undergraduates 474 Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $23,532 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $59,213