Cheapest Design and Applied Arts Colleges in New Jersey

Design and Applied Arts programs in New Jersey span a $19,482 cost gap, with Kean University offering the lowest net price at $12,168 while Monmouth University tops out at $31,650. The earnings spread proves equally telling, as College of New Jersey graduates earn $43,426 compared to Rider University's $23,351. New Jersey's proximity to major advertising agencies and design firms in New York City creates strong internship pipelines for students. Public universities dominate the affordable end, claiming four of the six lowest-cost options, though private schools like Centenary University manage competitive pricing at $19,037.

Programs

$12,168 – $31,650

Net Price Range

$31,624

Avg. Program Earnings

65.4%

Avg. Graduation Rate

13 Design and Applied Arts Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Kean University Union, New Jersey	$12,168	$13,426	43.4%	82.6%
2	Montclair State University Montclair, New Jersey	$14,159	$14,766	64.3%	91.3%
3	Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus Teaneck, New Jersey	$15,266	$35,822	61.7%	84.1%
4	New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, New Jersey	$16,496	$19,022	73.1%	66.0%
5	Centenary University Hackettstown, New Jersey	$19,037	$37,732	56.6%	96.5%
6	Berkeley College-Woodland Park Woodland Park, New Jersey	$20,549	$28,600	44.8%
7	Caldwell University Caldwell, New Jersey	$21,188	$39,450	58.7%	66.4%
8	Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, New Jersey	$23,519	$17,239	85.0%	66.3%
9	Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus Madison, New Jersey	$24,415	$35,822	72.3%	89.1%
10	Rider University Lawrenceville, New Jersey	$25,287	$38,900	63.3%	84.1%
11	The College of New Jersey Ewing, New Jersey	$25,458	$18,685	85.2%	64.4%
12	Seton Hall University South Orange, New Jersey	$28,921	$51,370	71.5%	75.1%
13	Monmouth University West Long Branch, New Jersey	$31,650	$44,850	70.3%	90.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $20,000+ earnings difference between New Jersey design schools?

College of New Jersey graduates earn $43,426 annually while Rider University graduates start at $23,351, a $20,075 gap. This reflects program focus differences and employer connections. Schools near New York City often produce higher-earning graduates due to access to major design agencies and corporate headquarters.

How do public university costs compare to private options for design students?

Public schools like Kean ($12,168) and Montclair State ($14,159) cost significantly less than most private alternatives. However, Centenary University breaks the pattern at $19,037, making it competitive with mid-tier public options. The average private school costs $23,546 compared to $18,165 for public institutions.

Is debt load manageable for New Jersey design program graduates?

Most programs keep debt reasonable, with amounts ranging from $21,500 at Seton Hall to $29,125 at Berkeley College. Given that starting salaries reach $43,426 at top-performing schools, debt-to-income ratios remain workable. Public universities typically generate lower debt loads than private institutions.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in New Jersey design schools?

Higher-priced programs generally show better completion rates, with Rutgers-New Brunswick and College of New Jersey both achieving 85%+ graduation rates. However, Berkeley College challenges this pattern with only 44.8% completion despite moderate costs. Kean University offers the best value with 43.4% completion at the lowest price point.

More Design and Applied Arts Rankings

Best Value Design and Applied Arts in New Jersey Design and Applied Arts Under $20,000 in New Jersey

All Design and Applied Arts Programs Best Colleges in New Jersey Best Design and Applied Arts in New Jersey

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