Due to the location of New Jersey, students have the option to visit some of the most historical and cosmopolitan cities in the U.S. As well as this, students can experience a combination of culturally rich cities and beautifully unique countryside. New Jersey is known for its cultural diversity and international students are made to feel very comfortable living in this state. In this article, we will be looking at the cheap tuition universities in New Jersey.
Affordable Universities and Colleges in New Jersey
1. Thomas Edison State College, Trenton
- In-State Tuition Fees – $7,100
- Out-of-State/International Tuition Fees – $9,300
Thomas Edison State College has a national reputation for excellence and is one of the first schools, in the country, specifically designed for adults. It offers a variety of online courses targeted toward busy adults. It also offers over 100 areas of degree programs, both in class and online.
Although this college is not one of the cheapest in New Jersey, its reputation for academia makes it well worth the extra dollars paid to attend here. In addition to this, it offers very good financial aid and scholarships.
2. Kean University, Union
Kean University is a world-class, vibrant institution with more than 50 undergraduate Majors to select from. A noteworthy aspect of this college is that it is a top producer of teachers, in New Jersey. It is also the only public university, in the U.S, to have a campus in China. This, in itself, can create a plethora of opportunities for its students.
If attending from out-of-state or internationally, the tuition fee at this university in New Jersey is very cheap. Its in-state fees are also quite low for New Jersey and well worth looking into when making a decision. As it has a range of different undergraduate programs, this university would be a good option for many students.
3. New Jersey City University, Jersey City
- In-State Tuition Fees – $14,000
- Out-of-State/International Tuition Fees – $24,000
Being only minutes away from New York City makes this university an enticing choice. Boasting small class sizes and excellent study abroad opportunities, New Jersey City University is also an excellent choice for cooperative education internships.
Its out-of-state and international tuition fees are reasonably high when compared with others in this list, so this institution is perhaps of better value for prospective in-state students. However, if the university offers a degree of specific interest it is worth considering.
4. Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Galloway
- In-State Tuition Fees – $30,000
- Out-of-State/International Tuition Fees – $45,000
Set on a 1600-acre campus in the Pinelands National Reserve, this college offers beautiful surroundings combined with an excellent education. It has been ranked among the top universities in the Northeast. This college should most definitely be considered by those looking to go into the veterinary field, as it is ranked in the top 25 ‘Best for Vets’ colleges.
This is considered a cheap university in New Jersey as it has been included in the ‘best value colleges’ list, by Forbes. Yes, its fees aren’t among the lowest, but consider the value for money regarding the level of education potentially received.
5. Rowan University, Glassboro
With students coming from 41 states and 35 countries, Rowan University is a Carnegie-classified national doctorate research institution. It is one of only three universities, in the nation, to grant both M.D and D.O medical degrees. It also offers approximately 80 bachelor’s degrees.
This cheap university in New Jersey has very high accreditations and a national reputation as a top research university in the nation. Again, the tuition fees are not among the lowest. However, when considering its position as an educational facility, it is clear to see that you will receive a valuable education for your money.
6. University of Phoenix Jersey City Campus, Jersey City
- In-State Tuition Fees – $10,000
- Out-of-State/International Tuition Fees – $10,000
This university prides itself on its Military representatives. It encourages the continuation of degrees to enhance a military career. It also offers special tuition prices for active-duty, National Guard, and Reserve service members. This offer extends to the person’s spouse and dependents.
Importantly, tuition fees can be locked in, which means paying the same price from start to finish, even if the degree takes longer than initially planned. This university offers both on-campus and online degrees.
7. Montclair State University, Montclair
We end our list of cheap universities in New Jersey with Montclair State University. This university is set on a 486-acre campus, located 14 miles west of New York City. Its top majors include Business Administration and Psychology. 33% of its classes hold less than 20 students making for a more personalized classroom experience.
When you consider that it is more expensive than Thomas Edison State College, which holds an incredible reputation, it makes you wonder why its fees are so high in relation. Because of this, Montclair State University is perhaps more enticing to in-state candidates.
8. Camden County College
- In-State Tuition (per credit hour): $111
- Out-of-State Tuition (per credit hour): $111
- International Student Tuition (per credit hour): $199
- All Tuition Fees
This community college is home to over 11,000 students annually and offers a variety of workforce training courses as well as certificates and associate degrees. Located in Blackwood, this school allows its students to experience the authentic New Jersey life as well as visit many different historical as well as entertainment sights. What’s more, this cheap college in New Jersey has over 20 buildings on its main campus, including a famous library, which offers its students various books and supplements to their education.
9. Middlesex County College
Located in Edison, Middlesex County College is a community college founded in 1964. It offers more than 700 courses and 100 different degrees and certificates along with 21 specially designed transfer programs. What’s more, this college offers online classes as well as distance learning and awards over 100 scholarships for all its students annually.
10. Ocean County College
This affordable college in New Jersey offers its students certificates, degrees as well as programs that lead straight into the workforce. What’s more, this college ranks as one of the most prestigious and affordable colleges in the United States, which is something that a lot of students consider while picking their future educational institutions. Additionally, this college organizes many fun activities for its students, such as sports events, trips, exchange programs and many more.
11. Rowan College at Burlington County
- In-State Tuition (per credit hour): $142
- Out-of-State Tuition (per credit hour): $207
- International Student Tuition (per credit hour): $207
- All Tuition Fees
Rowan College at Burlington County is a 2-year community college offering courses in fields, such as 911 Dispatcher, Addictions Counseling, and Cancer Registry Management. What’s more, many students from New Jersey don’t have to pay any tuition at all thanks to the governmental agreement that the college has. Additionally, this school organizes many events throughout all the semesters to help its students maintain a healthy social life.
12. Brookdale Community College
- In-State Tuition (per credit hour): $145
- Out-of-State Tuition (per credit hour): $278.50
- International Student Tuition (per credit hour): $278.50
- All Tuition Fees
Founded in 1967, this cheap college in New Jersey has five campuses around New Jersey, and it offers various degrees, certificates, programs, and workforce training. This higher education institution offers various scholarships and financial aid packages to both U.S. citizens as well as international students.
13. Bergen Community College
- In-State Tuition (per credit hour): $146.50
- Out-of-State Tuition (per credit hour): $301
- International Student Tuition (per credit hour): $316.75
- All Tuition Fees
Founded in 1965, Bergen Community College offers various courses, such as Social Sciences, Sociology, Psychology, Criminal Justice and Human Services. Each year, this affordable college in New Jersey enrolls nearly 17,000 students, both credit and non-credit. What’s more, this college is accredited by many national agencies that help students get admitted into 4-year colleges as well as universities.
14. Raritan Valley Community College
Raritan Valley Community College offers courses and programs that lead to various Associate degrees and workforce training. Since its foundation in 1965, this college has been serving approximately 7,000 students annually, including many international and out-of-state applicants. What’s more, this community college offers many scholarships as well as financial aid packages that can help students pay tuition fees as well as living expenses.
15. Warren County Community College
- In-State Tuition (per credit hour): $183
- Out-of-State Tuition (per credit hour): $203
- International Student Tuition (per credit hour): $253
- All Tuition Fees
Located in Washington, New Jersey, Warren County Community College is a public college that offers various courses, certificates and degrees in fields, such as Health Sciences, Liberal Arts and Accounting. Furthermore, this cheap community college in New Jersey offers distance learning and online classes for students who can’t attend physically. It also has a high student retention percentile.
16. Salem Community College
- In-State Tuition (per credit hour): $212
- Out-of-State Tuition (per credit hour): $295
- International Student Tuition (per credit hour): $295
- All Tuition Fees
Salem Community College is a school that’s accredited to offer various associate degrees as well as workforce courses and training. What’s more, this college offers the only degree in the United States for Scientific Glassblowing. Established in 1958, it’s a relatively small community college, serving around 1,000 students annually. In addition to that, this college offers a wide variety of athletic scholarships to its most gifted students.
17. Mercer County Community College
- In-State Tuition (per credit hour): $233
- Out-of-State Tuition (per credit hour): $327.50
- International Students Tuition (per credit hour): $327.50
- All Tuition Fees
We end our list of cheapest colleges in New Jersey with Mercer County Community College. Established in 1966, Mercer County Community College serves more than 7,000 students each year and has an open-admission policy. This college offers courses in fields, such as Health Services, Business & Management as well as Liberal Arts. On top of that, this school has a football team known nationwide and offers various scholarships, both for academic as well as athletic performance.
FAQs About Studying in New Jersey
Which Is the Cheapest University in New Jersey?
When it strictly comes to tuition, the cheapest college in New Jersey would probably be Thomas Edison State College. For residents of New Jersey, the tuition fees cost around $7,000 per year, and for international students, the annual tuition fees reach nearly $10,000, which is really cheap compared to other colleges in New Jersey.
Do Colleges in New Jersey Offer Free Tuition?
Unfortunately, no. All colleges in New Jersey charge some sort of flat-rate tuition fees for incoming applicants, so be prepared to pay a high tuition fee if you are an international applicant. If you are looking for ways to cut down on your tuition, try to apply for scholarships and financial aid after submitting your admissions application.
Although the tuition fees in this state appear to be slightly higher than tuition fees charged by other states, it still offers a fantastic educational system and great value for money. Its proximity to New York City and Philadelphia makes it an attractive choice, especially for international students who are looking to couple their education with cultural sightseeing. Attending college in New Jersey is an exciting prospect for all potential students, whether attending from overseas or in-state.
We hope that this article on cheap universities in New Jersey was helpful. If you are interested in studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students!
