Best Value Computer and Information Sciences Colleges in New Jersey

Computer science graduates from New Jersey's public universities command surprisingly high salaries, with Rutgers campuses producing alumni earning $71,778 annually despite net costs under $24,000. The state's proximity to major tech hubs in New York City and Philadelphia creates abundant opportunities for computer science professionals, particularly in the growing fintech and pharmaceutical data analytics sectors. New Jersey City University offers the lowest net cost at $11,732, though its 38.70% graduation rate reflects significant academic challenges. At the other end, New Jersey Institute of Technology delivers strong value with graduates earning $64,679 while maintaining a 73.10% graduation rate. The earnings gap between top and bottom performers spans over $30,000, making school selection critical. Private institutions like Monmouth University cost significantly more at $31,650 net price but don't guarantee proportionally higher earnings. The state's TAG grant program helps reduce costs for in-state students, making public options particularly attractive for computer science majors.

Programs

$11,732 – $41,315

Net Price Range

$58,257

Avg. Program Earnings

64.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

22 Computer and Information Sciences, General Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Kean University Union, New Jersey	$12,168	$49,436	$13,426	43.4%	82.6%
2	New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, New Jersey	$16,496	$64,679	$19,022	73.1%	66.0%
3	Rutgers University-Camden Camden, New Jersey	$18,803	$71,778	$17,079	66.4%	76.5%
4	Rutgers University-Newark Newark, New Jersey	$19,407	$71,778	$16,586	67.6%	73.9%
5	Montclair State University Montclair, New Jersey	$14,159	$52,107	$14,766	64.3%	91.3%
6	New Jersey City University Jersey City, New Jersey	$11,732	$42,682	$13,971	38.7%	90.1%
7	Ramapo College of New Jersey Mahwah, New Jersey	$20,360	$73,635	$15,978	71.9%	70.5%
8	Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, New Jersey	$23,519	$71,778	$17,239	85.0%	66.3%
9	William Paterson University of New Jersey Wayne, New Jersey	$17,764	$51,482	$15,150	47.7%	91.5%
10	Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus Teaneck, New Jersey	$15,266	$42,682	$35,822	61.7%	84.1%
11	The College of New Jersey Ewing, New Jersey	$25,458	$70,009	$18,685	85.2%	64.4%
12	Rowan University Glassboro, New Jersey	$22,185	$60,358	$15,700	68.3%	76.9%
13	Monmouth University West Long Branch, New Jersey	$31,650	$61,516	$44,850	70.3%	90.9%
14	Rider University Lawrenceville, New Jersey	$25,287	$47,260	$38,900	63.3%	84.1%
15	Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus Madison, New Jersey	$24,415	$42,682	$35,822	72.3%	89.1%
16	Felician University Lodi, New Jersey	$41,315		$37,830	49.7%	89.2%
17	Caldwell University Caldwell, New Jersey	$21,188		$39,450	58.7%	66.4%
18	Saint Peter's University Jersey City, New Jersey	$12,973		$41,054	63.1%	88.8%
19	Seton Hall University South Orange, New Jersey	$28,921		$51,370	71.5%	75.1%
20	Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, New Jersey	$40,468		$60,952	89.9%	46.2%
21	Stockton University Galloway, New Jersey	$19,634		$15,532	72.0%	85.5%
22	Bloomfield College Bloomfield, New Jersey	$18,778		$30,680	31.1%	78.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What school offers the best earnings-to-cost ratio for computer science in New Jersey?

Rutgers University campuses deliver strong value, with graduates earning $71,778 annually while net costs range from $18,803 to $23,519. New Jersey Institute of Technology also provides strong returns with $64,679 earnings against a $16,496 net cost. Both significantly outperform the state average for computer science salary outcomes.

How much do graduation rates vary among New Jersey computer science programs?

Graduation rates span from 38.70% at New Jersey City University to 85.20% at The College of New Jersey. Rutgers-New Brunswick leads with 85.00%, while several mid-tier schools like Montclair State hover around 64.30%. The 46-point spread highlights major differences in student success rates across institutions.

Is attending a private university worth the extra cost for computer science?

Private schools typically cost $15,000-20,000 more annually than public options but don't guarantee higher earnings. Monmouth University charges $31,650 net but graduates earn $61,516, while Rutgers graduates earn $71,778 at lower cost. Fairleigh Dickinson's graduates earn just $42,682 despite the premium price tag.

Does location within New Jersey affect computer science career prospects?

Schools near major employment centers show varied outcomes regardless of location. Newark-based NJIT produces high-earning graduates at $64,679, while Rutgers-Newark matches Rutgers-New Brunswick earnings at $71,778. However, rural Ramapo College leads all schools with $73,635 average earnings, suggesting program quality matters more than geography.

What debt levels should computer science students expect in New Jersey?

Student debt typically ranges from $18,689 to $26,747 across New Jersey computer science programs. Most public universities keep debt under $22,000, while private schools push closer to $25,000-26,000. Given that starting salaries range from $42,682 to $73,635, debt-to-income ratios remain manageable for most graduates.

More Computer and Information Sciences, General Rankings

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.