Top 10 Cheapest Colleges in New Jersey

Updated on 10/22/2025

Tuition in New Jersey can be pricey. According to the Education Data Initiative, New Jersey has the fifth-highest tuition costs among all states in the U.S. Despite that, there are several affordable colleges in the state.

Even better, the state and several of its institutions offer financial aid programs that can cover up to full tuition costs. Keep reading to learn more about the most affordable colleges in New Jersey.

How Much Will a College Degree Cost in New Jersey?

According to the Education Data Initiative, the average yearly cost of in-state tuition at a public four-year school in New Jersey is $15,265. However, this isn't necessarily the price you'll pay. Your costs can depend on multiple factors, such as:

• what school you choose
• whether you're an in-state or out-of-state student
• whether you study on campus or online
• what level of degree you're earning
• how many credit hours you need
• what financial aid you qualify for

By choosing an affordable college and using financial aid, you can significantly reduce or even completely cover your tuition costs. All students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year to see what they qualify for.

Top Cheap Colleges in New Jersey

Several four-year colleges and universities in New Jersey offer low tuition rates and excellent financial aid options. We've highlighted the most affordable colleges in New Jersey below.

1. William Patterson University of New Jersey

The William Patterson University of New Jersey (WP) is a public university in Wayne, NJ. It offers on-campus and online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in fields like:

• business
• education
• healthcare
• social sciences

WP is the cheapest online college in New Jersey, charging less for online students than those studying on campus. Through the school's Pledge 4 Success program, combined with the state's Garden State Guarantee, New Jersey residents with financial need may be able to attend for free.

• Estimated tuition cost: $374 per credit (online); $518 per credit (in-state on campus); $857 (out-of-state on campus)
• Financial aid: WP accepts FAFSA and state aid, offers institutional aid like the Pledge 4 Success, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

2. Thomas Edison State University

At Thomas Edison State University (TESU), students can earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in person and online. Areas of study include business, healthcare, human services, and liberal arts.

TESU, a public university designed for working adult students, is located in Trenton, NJ. It offers the need-based GO-TESU Grant as well as over a dozen scholarship opportunities for students.

• Estimated tuition cost: $440 per credit (in-state); $573 per credit (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: TESU offers institutional aid and accepts state aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

3. Rutgers University

At Rutgers University, students can earn on-campus and online associate through doctoral degrees in fields such as biology, business, computer science, and education. Rutgers is a public university based in New Brunswick, NJ.

Tuition depends on what program you're taking and which campus you're learning through. It offers the Scarlet Guarantee. This is a last-dollar award, meaning it covers whatever tuition costs are left over for eligible students after federal and state aid are applied.

• Estimated tuition cost: $441 to $688 per credit (online); $482 to $586 (in-state on campus); $1,037 to $1,454 per credit (out-of-state on campus)
• Financial aid: Rutgers offers institutional aid, like the Scarlet Guarantee, and accepts FAFSA, state aid, and private student aid.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

4. Rowan University

Bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees are available in person and online through Rowan University. Areas of study include business, education, engineering, and nursing.

Rowan, located in Glassboro, NJ, is a public research university. Like Rutgers, it offers a last-dollar scholarship, called the Rowan Opportunity Program, to New Jersey residents with qualifying financial need.

• Estimated tuition cost: $473 per credit (in-state on campus); $891 (out-of-state on campus); $588.63 (online)
• Financial aid: Rowan accepts aid through FAFSA, the state, and private programs. It also offers the Rowan Opportunity Program and other institutional aid options.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

5. Kean University

Kean University is a public institution in Union, NJ. It offers on-campus and online undergraduate and graduate degrees in fields like:

• business administration
• healthcare
• psychology
• visual and performing arts

New Jersey residents may qualify for free tuition by combining the Kean Tuition Promise with the Garden State Guarantee. Other financial aid options, including numerous scholarships, are also available.

• Estimated tuition cost: $493.09 (in-state and out-of-state online); $765.21 (out-of-state on campus)
• Financial aid: Kean accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts state and private aid.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

6. Centenary University

Students at Centenary University can earn associate through doctoral degrees on campus and online. Areas of study include business, education, nursing, and psychology.

Centenary, a private Methodist university, is located in Hackettstown, NJ. It charges less for online students and also offers several scholarship opportunities to help lower costs.

• Estimated tuition cost: $500 per credit (online); $912 per credit (on campus)
• Financial aid: Centenary offers institutional aid and accepts state aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

7. New Jersey City University

New Jersey City University (NJCU) offers on-campus bachelor's degrees and on-campus and online graduate programs. NJCU is a public university in Jersey City, NJ.

Degrees are available in fields like business, criminal justice, healthcare, and psychology. It charges the same rate for in-state and out-of-state students and also offers over 300 scholarship opportunities.

• Estimated tuition cost: $501.77 per credit
• Financial aid: NJCU offers institutional scholarship and accepts FAFSA, state aid, and private aid.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

8. Montclair State University

Undergraduate and graduate degrees are available in person and online at Montclair State University (Montclair). Areas of study include business, communications, healthcare, and liberal arts.

Montclair, located in Montclair, NJ, is a public research university. Its Red Hawk Advantage Award (RHAA), combined with the Garden State Guarantee, makes tuition free for eligible New Jersey residents.

• Estimated tuition cost: $523 per credit (in-state); $880 per credit (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: Montclair accepts aid through FAFSA and the state. It also accepts private aid and offers institutional programs, like the RHAA.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

9. Stockton University

Stockton University is a public institution in Galloway, NJ. It offers bachelor's through doctoral degrees on campus, and a select few online master's programs, in fields like:

• business
• computer science
• healthcare
• Holocaust and genocide studies

Like many other schools, Stockton offers a program that can be combined with the Garden State Guarantee to give students free tuition. In addition to the Stockton Promise, several scholarships are available to help students.

• Estimated tuition cost: $538 per credit (in-state); $866 per credit (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: Stockton accepts FAFSA and state aid, offers institutional aid like the Stockton Promise, and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

10. Ramapo College of New Jersey

Through the Ramapo College of New Jersey, students can earn bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees primarily on campus, though a few online options are available. Areas of study include biology, business, healthcare, and social sciences.

Ramapo College, a public university, is located in Mahwah, NJ. It offers several scholarship opportunities, as well as payment plans, to help students pay for their education.

• Estimated tuition cost: $550.48 per credit (in-state); $909.16 per credit (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: Ramapo College offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA, the state, and private sources.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

How To Make College Affordable in New Jersey

If you looked through this list and thought, 'some of those tuition rates are still higher than I'd like,' you're not alone. Luckily, there are several ways you can make college more affordable for yourself.

Apply for State Financial Aid Programs

Tuition in New Jersey can be pricey, but the state offers several ways to lower costs. One that we've mentioned quite a bit already is the Garden State Guarantee (GSG).

The Garden State Guarantee is available to New Jersey residents with an adjusted gross income (AGI) under $65,000 who are attending an in-state, public four-year institution. This is a last-dollar program that covers the third and fourth years of a bachelor's degree.

For the first two years, New Jersey offers the Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG) to in-state students with an AGI under $65,000 studying at an in-state community college. Many of the schools listed above also offer promise programs to cover the first two years.

Another option for New Jersey students is the Tuition Aid Grant, which provides need-based assistance to students at approved New Jersey schools. The amount you qualify for depends on your financial need and available funding.

Use Federal Financial Aid and Pell Grants

Federal aid is student aid dispersed by the federal government. It includes options like:

• Pell Grants: Need-based grants worth up to $7,395 that do not generally need to be repaid.
• Federal loans: Student loans issued by the federal government that often have better interest rates and terms than private loans.
• Work-study programs: Opportunities for students to work for their school or a partnering organization to help pay for their tuition.

When you fill out the FAFSA, the federal government uses the information you provide to determine your financial need. This is then used to determine how much federal aid you qualify for, as well as whether you qualify for many state and institutional programs.

Consider Community Colleges and Transfer Pathways

In general, community colleges cost less than four-year institutions. In New Jersey, many community colleges charge less than $200 per credit hour, making associate degrees from these schools some of the most affordable options for a degree.

Beginning your education at a community college can help you save money, even if you aren't approved for the state's CCOG. Many community colleges provide transfer pathways with four-year schools, making the transfer process smoother.

Take Advantage of Scholarships

In addition to grants, New Jersey offers several merit-based scholarships that provide tuition assistance to high-achieving students, including the Governor's Urban Scholarship and the New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship (NJ STARS).

Many schools also offer institutional scholarships, which may be merit-based or need-based. You can also use tools, like the scholarship finder at the U.S. Department of Labor's CareerOneStop website, to find other scholarships you may be eligible for.

Explore Online and Hybrid Degree Options

In some cases, online programs can be less expensive than learning online. For example, William Patterson charges about $150 less per credit for online programs. Out-of-state students, especially, may find they get lower tuition rates by learning online.

Additionally, online and hybrid options provide more flexibility, so you can continue working or get a job that can help you pay for your higher education.

FAQs About the Most Affordable Colleges in New Jersey

Figuring out how to pay for college can be stressful. Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about affordable colleges in New Jersey to help you out.

How Much Does Rutgers University Cost?

According to College Navigator, the average annual tuition for an undergraduate degree at the Rutgers main campus is $17,929 for in-state students and $37,441 for out-of-state students. However, the actual amount you pay depends on what campus you attend, what particular college or school you learn through, and whether you study online or on campus.

What Is the Cheapest College in New Jersey?

The least expensive college in New Jersey for online learners is William Patterson University, which charges $374 per credit for online programs. The cheapest option for on-campus, in-state students is TESU, at $440 per credit regardless of learning format.

However, community colleges in New Jersey charge a lot less. Most cost less than $200 per credit, with options like Essex County College charging just $139.66 per credit to in-county residents.

Do New Jersey Public Colleges Offer In-State Tuition Discounts?

Public schools in New Jersey typically offer lower tuition rates to in-state students. There are a few exceptions to this-NJCU charges the same for all students, while William Patterson and Rutgers charge all online students the same price-but generally speaking, in-state students pay less than those living out of state.

Do Cheap Colleges in New Jersey Offer High-Quality Education?

The cost of a school and the quality of education aren't necessarily related. All the affordable colleges we listed above are regionally accredited and nonprofit, with many ranked as some of the top institutions in the state.

Can I Attend College in New Jersey for Free?

While no schools in New Jersey are tuition-free, it is possible to earn a degree in New Jersey for free. Financial aid programs, such as the Garden State Grant and various promise programs, can completely eliminate your tuition costs.

Do Affordable Colleges in New Jersey Offer Online Degrees?

Many of the affordable colleges listed above offer online degree programs, or at the very least, the option to take some courses online. Additionally, many of the community colleges in New Jersey offer online options as well.

Find an Affordable College in New Jersey

Start your journey toward a low-cost degree by exploring the programs featured on Learn.org. Contact individual schools to learn more about tuition rates and financial aid options.