Cheapest Communication and Media Studies Colleges in New Jersey

Pillar College delivers the most affordable Communication and Media Studies education in New Jersey at just $5,804 net cost, creating an unusual 5-to-1 ratio between the cheapest and most expensive programs in the state. This gap reflects New Jersey's split between small private colleges and larger public universities serving students who often commute to internships and entry-level positions at major media companies in nearby New York City. The state's public universities cluster around $11,732 to $22,185 in net costs, while graduates across all programs earn between $26,353 and $41,705 annually. New Jersey's proximity to Manhattan's media center, combined with local pharmaceutical giants like Johnson & Johnson that need corporate communications specialists, creates multiple career pathways for graduates. Students benefit from the state's TAG grant program, which helps reduce costs at public institutions, though even private options like Saint Peter's University maintain reasonable debt levels at $17,750 despite higher sticker prices.

Programs

$5,804 – $41,315

Net Price Range

$34,052

Avg. Program Earnings

61.2%

Avg. Graduation Rate

22 Communication and Media Studies Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Pillar College Newark, New Jersey	$5,804	$24,820	34.1%
2	New Jersey City University Jersey City, New Jersey	$11,732	$13,971	38.7%	90.1%
3	Kean University Union, New Jersey	$12,168	$13,426	43.4%	82.6%
4	Saint Peter's University Jersey City, New Jersey	$12,973	$41,054	63.1%	88.8%
5	Montclair State University Montclair, New Jersey	$14,159	$14,766	64.3%	91.3%
6	Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus Teaneck, New Jersey	$15,266	$35,822	61.7%	84.1%
7	William Paterson University of New Jersey Wayne, New Jersey	$17,764	$15,150	47.7%	91.5%
8	Saint Elizabeth University Morristown, New Jersey	$17,949	$35,942	40.2%	71.9%
9	Centenary University Hackettstown, New Jersey	$19,037	$37,732	56.6%	96.5%
10	Stockton University Galloway, New Jersey	$19,634	$15,532	72.0%	85.5%
11	Georgian Court University Lakewood, New Jersey	$20,218	$37,110	55.1%	75.8%
12	Ramapo College of New Jersey Mahwah, New Jersey	$20,360	$15,978	71.9%	70.5%
13	Caldwell University Caldwell, New Jersey	$21,188	$39,450	58.7%	66.4%
14	Rowan University Glassboro, New Jersey	$22,185	$15,700	68.3%	76.9%
15	Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, New Jersey	$23,519	$17,239	85.0%	66.3%
16	Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus Madison, New Jersey	$24,415	$35,822	72.3%	89.1%
17	Rider University Lawrenceville, New Jersey	$25,287	$38,900	63.3%	84.1%
18	The College of New Jersey Ewing, New Jersey	$25,458	$18,685	85.2%	64.4%
19	Drew University Madison, New Jersey	$25,644	$45,360	72.4%	72.7%
20	Seton Hall University South Orange, New Jersey	$28,921	$51,370	71.5%	75.1%
21	Monmouth University West Long Branch, New Jersey	$31,650	$44,850	70.3%	90.9%
22	Felician University Lodi, New Jersey	$41,315	$37,830	49.7%	89.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Pillar College's $5,804 net cost so much lower than other programs?

Pillar College's private nonprofit status allows for significant institutional aid that brings costs down from a $24,820 sticker price. The school's small size and focus on Christian education creates a unique pricing model compared to larger universities. However, students should note the 34.10% graduation rate when weighing cost against completion likelihood.

How do public university costs compare across New Jersey's Communication programs?

New Jersey's public universities range from $11,732 at New Jersey City University to $23,519 at Rutgers-New Brunswick for net costs. The TAG grant helps keep in-state tuition reasonable, with most public options charging between $13,426 and $17,239 before aid. Rutgers commands the highest net cost but delivers an 85% graduation rate and $36,906 median earnings.

Is the earnings gap between cheapest and most expensive programs significant?

Graduates from the most affordable programs earn $26,353 to $33,281 annually, while those from pricier institutions reach $38,289 at Fairleigh Dickinson's Metropolitan Campus. This $12,000 difference reflects both school selectivity and proximity to major media markets. The earnings range suggests that program choice impacts long-term financial outcomes beyond just upfront costs.

Does attending school near New York City affect program value?

Schools in the NYC metro area like Saint Peter's University and New Jersey City University offer direct access to internships at major media companies and advertising agencies. However, net costs vary significantly from $11,732 to $12,973 between these two options. The regional job market connection often justifies slightly higher costs through better networking and career placement opportunities.

Where do graduation rates fall across different price points in New Jersey?

Graduation rates span from 34.10% at the cheapest option to 85% at Rutgers-New Brunswick, the most expensive public choice. Most mid-priced programs achieve 55% to 72% completion rates, suggesting a correlation between cost and student success. Private institutions generally maintain higher graduation rates despite varying costs, with Saint Peter's reaching 63.10% at $12,973 net price.

More Communication and Media Studies Rankings

Best Value Communication and Media Studies in New Jersey Communication and Media Studies Under $20,000 in New Jersey

All Communication and Media Studies Programs Best Colleges in New Jersey Best Communication and Media Studies in New Jersey

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