Cheapest Fine and Studio Arts Colleges in New Jersey

Princeton University offers Fine and Studio Arts students an extraordinary deal with a net price of just $10,555, making it cheaper than many public options despite its $59,710 sticker price. This creates a remarkable $14,177 gap between Princeton and the next most affordable option, New Jersey City University at $11,732. The earnings picture tells a different story, with Montclair State graduates earning $17,067 annually while Saint Peter's University graduates start at $20,140. New Jersey's position between major metropolitan areas provides Fine and Studio Arts graduates access to gallery districts in Manhattan's Chelsea and the Philadelphia Museum District, plus growing creative sectors in cities like Jersey City where warehouse conversions have created artist studios and exhibition spaces. The state's 15 programs show dramatic variation in both cost and outcomes, with graduation rates ranging from 38.7% at New Jersey City University to Princeton's 97.1%.

Programs

$10,555 – $41,315

Net Price Range

$28,221

Avg. Program Earnings

65.0%

Avg. Graduation Rate

24 Fine and Studio Arts Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Princeton University Princeton, New Jersey	$10,555	$59,710	97.1%	5.7%
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	Rutgers University-Camden Camden, New Jersey	$18,803	$17,079	66.4%	76.5%
10	Centenary University Hackettstown, New Jersey	$19,037	$37,732	56.6%	96.5%
11	Rutgers University-Newark Newark, New Jersey	$19,407	$16,586	67.6%	73.9%
12	Stockton University Galloway, New Jersey	$19,634	$15,532	72.0%	85.5%
13	Georgian Court University Lakewood, New Jersey	$20,218	$37,110	55.1%	75.8%
14	Ramapo College of New Jersey Mahwah, New Jersey	$20,360	$15,978	71.9%	70.5%
15	Caldwell University Caldwell, New Jersey	$21,188	$39,450	58.7%	66.4%
16	Rowan University Glassboro, New Jersey	$22,185	$15,700	68.3%	76.9%
17	Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, New Jersey	$23,519	$17,239	85.0%	66.3%
18	Rider University Lawrenceville, New Jersey	$25,287	$38,900	63.3%	84.1%
19	The College of New Jersey Ewing, New Jersey	$25,458	$18,685	85.2%	64.4%
20	Drew University Madison, New Jersey	$25,644	$45,360	72.4%	72.7%
21	Seton Hall University South Orange, New Jersey	$28,921	$51,370	71.5%	75.1%
22	Monmouth University West Long Branch, New Jersey	$31,650	$44,850	70.3%	90.9%
23	Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, New Jersey	$40,468	$60,952	89.9%	46.2%
24	Felician University Lodi, New Jersey	$41,315	$37,830	49.7%	89.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Princeton University so affordable for Fine and Studio Arts students despite being private?

Princeton's generous financial aid brings the net price down to $10,555, even though the published tuition reaches $59,710. This puts Princeton below the cost of attending public institutions like Stockton University at $19,634 or Rutgers Newark at $19,407. The university meets 100% of demonstrated financial need, making it accessible for middle and lower-income families pursuing arts education.

How do public university costs compare across New Jersey's Fine and Studio Arts programs?

New Jersey's public options range from $11,732 at New Jersey City University to $20,360 at Ramapo College of New Jersey. Montclair State falls in the middle at $14,159, while William Paterson costs $17,764. These differences often reflect varying levels of state funding and campus amenities rather than program quality.

Where do Fine and Studio Arts graduates find the best earning potential in New Jersey?

New Jersey City University graduates earn $31,708 annually, the highest among schools with available data. Kean University follows at $29,685, while both Rutgers Camden and Newark graduates earn $29,374. Montclair State shows the lowest starting earnings at $17,067, despite being a well-regarded public institution.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in New Jersey Fine Arts programs?

The data shows mixed results, with Princeton leading at 97.1% graduation rate for $10,555. However, Stockton University achieves a strong 72% graduation rate at $19,634, while more expensive Saint Elizabeth University graduates only 40.2% of students at $17,949. New Jersey City University's 38.7% graduation rate represents the lowest among all programs.

What acceptance rates can Fine and Studio Arts students expect at affordable New Jersey schools?

Most affordable programs maintain high acceptance rates, with Centenary University accepting 96.54% of applicants and William Paterson at 91.53%. Princeton stands as the obvious exception with just 5.7% acceptance rate. Public institutions like Montclair State (91.31%) and Kean University (82.6%) offer relatively easy admission for students seeking affordable arts education.

More Fine and Studio Arts 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.