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Cheapest Physics Colleges in New Jersey

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

Princeton University creates an unusual physics education market in New Jersey, offering net costs as low as $10,555 despite its $59,710 sticker price. This figure contrasts sharply with public universities like New Jersey City University at $11,732 and Montclair State at $14,159, creating a rare scenario where an elite private institution costs less than many state schools for qualifying students. The 16 physics programs span from highly selective Princeton with 5.70% acceptance to broadly accessible options like New Jersey City University at 90.14% acceptance. New Jersey's position between major pharmaceutical companies like Johnson & Johnson and Merck creates strong demand for physics graduates, particularly in materials science and medical device development. The state's proximity to both New York City's finance sector and Philadelphia's research institutions expands career opportunities beyond traditional academic and government research roles.
16
Programs
$10,555 – $40,468
Net Price Range
$44,170
Avg. Program Earnings
71.4%
Avg. Graduation Rate

16 Physics Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $10,555 $59,710 97.1% 5.7%
2 $11,732 $13,971 38.7% 90.1%
3 $12,973 $41,054 63.1% 88.8%
4 $14,159 $14,766 64.3% 91.3%
5 $16,496 $19,022 73.1% 66.0%
6 $18,803 $17,079 66.4% 76.5%
7 $19,407 $16,586 67.6% 73.9%
8 $19,634 $15,532 72.0% 85.5%
9 $20,218 $37,110 55.1% 75.8%
10 $20,360 $15,978 71.9% 70.5%
11 $22,185 $15,700 68.3% 76.9%
12 $23,519 $17,239 85.0% 66.3%
13 $25,458 $18,685 85.2% 64.4%
14 $25,644 $45,360 72.4% 72.7%
15 $28,921 $51,370 71.5% 75.1%
16 $40,468 $60,952 89.9% 46.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Princeton's physics program surprisingly affordable compared to public options?

Princeton's generous financial aid reduces net costs to $10,555, making it cheaper than many public universities in the state. This places it below New Jersey City University at $11,732 and significantly under Montclair State's $14,159. The university's substantial endowment funds need-based aid that can make attendance less expensive than state schools for middle and lower-income families.

How do graduation rates vary across New Jersey's physics programs?

Physics graduation rates range dramatically from Princeton's 97.10% to New Jersey City University's 38.70%. Mid-tier options like Rutgers-New Brunswick achieve 85.00% while The College of New Jersey reaches 85.20%. This 58-point spread reflects varying academic support systems and student preparation levels across institutions.

Where do New Jersey physics graduates typically find employment opportunities?

The state's pharmaceutical giants like Johnson & Johnson and Merck actively recruit physics graduates for research and development roles. Finance positions in nearby New York City value physics training for quantitative analysis and modeling. Government research facilities and the proximity to Philadelphia's medical device companies create additional career pathways beyond traditional academic physics positions.

What acceptance rates should students expect at different price points?

Acceptance rates generally increase with net costs, though Princeton breaks this pattern with 5.70% acceptance despite low net costs. New Jersey Institute of Technology offers middle-ground selectivity at 65.99% acceptance with $16,496 net costs. Most affordable public options like New Jersey City University and Montclair State accept over 90% of applicants.

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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.