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Cheapest Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) Colleges in New Jersey

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

William Paterson University leads New Jersey's most affordable legal studies options at $17,764 net cost, while Rutgers New Brunswick commands $23,519 despite its 85% graduation rate. The $5,755 spread between cheapest and most expensive reflects stark differences in outcomes and institutional resources. New Jersey's proximity to major legal markets in New York City and Philadelphia creates strong internship pipelines, though graduates across all five programs face similar starting salaries around $26,353.
5
Programs
$17,764 – $23,519
Net Price Range
$26,353
Avg. Program Earnings
63.4%
Avg. Graduation Rate

5 Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $17,764 $15,150 47.7% 91.5%
2 $19,407 $16,586 67.6% 73.9%
3 $20,360 $15,978 71.9% 70.5%
4 $20,549 $28,600 44.8%
5 $23,519 $17,239 85.0% 66.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the identical $26,353 earnings across different schools?

Entry-level paralegal and legal assistant positions in New Jersey follow standardized pay scales regardless of educational background. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows consistent starting wages for legal support roles, which explains why William Paterson graduates earn the same as Rutgers New Brunswick alumni despite the $5,755 tuition difference.

How do graduation rates vary among the most affordable programs?

Rutgers New Brunswick leads with an 85% graduation rate but costs $23,519 annually, while William Paterson's 47.7% rate comes with the lowest $17,764 price tag. Ramapo College strikes a middle ground with a 71.9% completion rate at $20,360, suggesting stronger student support systems than the cheapest options.

Does Berkeley College's private status justify its costs?

Berkeley College charges $20,549 net cost but delivers only a 44.8% graduation rate, making it the worst value among New Jersey options. The for-profit model doesn't translate to better outcomes, with public alternatives like Ramapo offering 27 percentage points higher graduation rates at similar costs.

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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.