Cheapest History Colleges in New Jersey

Princeton University offers the most affordable History program in New Jersey at a net cost of $10,555, despite its $59,710 sticker price. This creates an unusual situation where an elite private institution costs less than many public alternatives after financial aid. The earnings gap among History graduates spans nearly $20,000, from $25,194 at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus to $43,798 at Princeton. New Jersey's proximity to major publishing houses, museums, and historical societies in New York City and Philadelphia creates strong opportunities for History majors, particularly in archival work and cultural preservation. Public universities like New Jersey City University and Kean University offer solid middle-ground options around $12,000 annually. The state's TAG grant program helps reduce costs at public institutions, though private colleges often provide more substantial need-based aid packages.

Programs

$10,555 – $41,315

Net Price Range

$32,320

Avg. Program Earnings

63.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

26 History 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	New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, New Jersey	$16,496	$19,022	73.1%	66.0%
8	William Paterson University of New Jersey Wayne, New Jersey	$17,764	$15,150	47.7%	91.5%
9	Saint Elizabeth University Morristown, New Jersey	$17,949	$35,942	40.2%	71.9%
10	Bloomfield College Bloomfield, New Jersey	$18,778	$30,680	31.1%	78.2%
11	Rutgers University-Camden Camden, New Jersey	$18,803	$17,079	66.4%	76.5%
12	Centenary University Hackettstown, New Jersey	$19,037	$37,732	56.6%	96.5%
13	Rutgers University-Newark Newark, New Jersey	$19,407	$16,586	67.6%	73.9%
14	Stockton University Galloway, New Jersey	$19,634	$15,532	72.0%	85.5%
15	Georgian Court University Lakewood, New Jersey	$20,218	$37,110	55.1%	75.8%
16	Ramapo College of New Jersey Mahwah, New Jersey	$20,360	$15,978	71.9%	70.5%
17	Caldwell University Caldwell, New Jersey	$21,188	$39,450	58.7%	66.4%
18	Rowan University Glassboro, New Jersey	$22,185	$15,700	68.3%	76.9%
19	Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, New Jersey	$23,519	$17,239	85.0%	66.3%
20	Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus Madison, New Jersey	$24,415	$35,822	72.3%	89.1%
21	Rider University Lawrenceville, New Jersey	$25,287	$38,900	63.3%	84.1%
22	The College of New Jersey Ewing, New Jersey	$25,458	$18,685	85.2%	64.4%
23	Drew University Madison, New Jersey	$25,644	$45,360	72.4%	72.7%
24	Seton Hall University South Orange, New Jersey	$28,921	$51,370	71.5%	75.1%
25	Monmouth University West Long Branch, New Jersey	$31,650	$44,850	70.3%	90.9%
26	Felician University Lodi, New Jersey	$41,315	$37,830	49.7%	89.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Princeton University achieve such low net costs for History majors?

Princeton's need-based financial aid covers most expenses for families earning under certain income thresholds. The university meets 100% of demonstrated financial need without loans. While the published tuition reaches $59,710, the average net cost drops to just $10,555 after aid. This makes Princeton more affordable than many public universities for qualifying students.

What explains the wide earnings gap among New Jersey History graduates?

History graduates from Princeton earn $43,798 on average, while those from Fairleigh Dickinson-Metropolitan earn $25,194. Institutional reputation, alumni networks, and geographic location influence starting salaries significantly. Princeton's proximity to New York financial firms and consulting companies creates higher-paying opportunities. Regional public universities often serve local markets with different salary scales.

Which public universities offer the best value for History programs?

New Jersey City University provides the lowest public net cost at $11,732 with a 90.14% acceptance rate. Kean University follows at $12,168 annually with slightly better graduation rates at 43.40%. Montclair State University offers stronger career outcomes with $37,208 average earnings and a 64.30% graduation rate. All three benefit from New Jersey's TAG grant program for in-state students.

Does location within New Jersey affect career prospects for History majors?

Jersey City and Newark campuses offer direct access to New York City's museums, archives, and publishing industry. Princeton's location provides connections to both New York and Philadelphia markets. Southern New Jersey universities like Stockton serve the Atlantic corridor but may have fewer immediate cultural institution partnerships. Proximity to major metropolitan areas typically translates to more internship and entry-level opportunities.

Is the high debt worth it at private History programs?

Average debt ranges from $19,500 at Rutgers campuses to $27,000 at Stockton University. Private institutions like Saint Peter's and Georgian Court don't report debt figures, making cost comparison difficult. However, schools like Georgian Court show strong earning potential at $37,568 for graduates. Students should carefully compare net costs rather than published tuition when evaluating private options.

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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.