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2026 Best Value Trade Schools in New Jersey
Looking for the best-value Trade degree programs in New Jersey? This list ranks 149 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Trade College analyzed 32 schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in New Jersey
Explore the best-value schools below:
Camden County College earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in New Jersey. Located in Blackwood, NJ, Camden County College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $4,416. Typical Trade student debt is $12,999. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Camden County College report
Burlington County College came in at #2 on this year's best-value Trade ranking in New Jersey. Located in Mount Laurel, NJ, Burlington County College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,990, while out-of-state students pay about $9,495. Students borrow a median of $12,488 to complete their Trade program here. Median earnings reach $44,745 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,488 median debt. More on Burlington County College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ocean County College earned it the #3 place in New Jersey. Based in Toms River, NJ, Ocean County College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,906, while out-of-state students pay about $6,970. The median Trade program debt is $13,792. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,210 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $13,792 median debt. More on Ocean County College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Raritan Valley Community College earned it the #4 place in New Jersey. Located in Branchburg, NJ, Raritan Valley Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Graduates carry a median of $9,668 in student loans. Median earnings reach $48,145 ten years out. Set against $9,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Raritan Valley Community College
A rank of #5 makes Thomas Edison State College one of the best values in New Jersey. Located in Trenton, NJ, Thomas Edison State College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,838, compared with $8,856 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,149 to complete their Trade program here. Median earnings reach $69,331 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Thomas Edison State College report
Salem Community College landed the #6 spot for value in New Jersey this year. Located in Carneys Point, NJ, Salem Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,360, with out-of-state students paying around $10,260. Graduates carry a median of $17,232 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Salem Community College
Middlesex County College offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. This public school is set in Edison, NJ. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete their Trade program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,861 ten years after entry. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Middlesex County College
Gloucester County College landed the #8 spot for value in New Jersey this year. Set in Sewell, NJ, Gloucester County College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,160, while out-of-state students pay about $6,000. The median Trade program debt is $13,236. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Gloucester County College report
Bergen Community College came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Paramus, NJ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,913, while out-of-state students pay about $9,294. Bergen Community College Trade students take on a median of $17,720 in debt. Median earnings reach $46,624 ten years out. Set against $17,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Bergen Community College report
County College Of Morris ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Based in Randolph, NJ, County College Of Morris is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,210, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Graduates carry a median of $9,420 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on County College Of Morris
Union County College landed the #11 spot for value in New Jersey this year. This public school is set in Cranford, NJ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $9,500. The median Trade program debt is $14,218. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Union County College profile
Brookdale Community College landed the #12 spot for value in New Jersey this year. Located in Lincroft, NJ, Brookdale Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,270, compared with $10,140 for out-of-state students. Brookdale Community College Trade students take on a median of $12,651 in debt. Median earnings reach $44,379 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Brookdale Community College report
Passaic County Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Passaic County Community College is a public school based in Paterson, NJ. In-state tuition and fees average $6,300, while out-of-state students pay about $10,560. Graduates carry a median of $9,581 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $36,972. That is a strong return on a $9,581 median debt. Get the full Passaic County Community College report
Atlantic Cape Community College came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Atlantic Cape Community College is a public school based in Mays Landing, NJ. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,594, while out-of-state students pay about $8,350. Graduates carry a median of $12,002 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,241. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Atlantic Cape Community College
Kean University offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Set in Union, NJ, Kean University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Graduates carry a median of $26,703 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,237. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants. See the full Kean University profile
Essex County College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Based in Newark, NJ, Essex County College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,415, with out-of-state students paying around $9,523. Graduates carry a median of $12,472 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,230. Set against $12,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Essex County College
New Jersey Institute Of Technology landed the #17 spot for value in New Jersey this year. New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a public school based in Newark, NJ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,974, compared with $37,664 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,755 to complete their Trade program here. New Jersey Institute Of Technology alumni report median earnings of $84,276 a decade after entry. Set against $24,755 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%. See the full New Jersey Institute Of Technology profile
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. This public school is set in New Brunswick, NJ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. The median Trade program debt is $25,120. Rutgers University New Brunswick alumni report median earnings of $74,479 a decade after entry. Set against $25,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 58% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Rutgers University New Brunswick
Hudson County Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Located in Jersey City, NJ, Hudson County Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,384, with out-of-state students paying around $9,248. Typical Trade student debt is $10,671. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $34,333. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Hudson County Community College
Rowan University landed the #20 spot for value in New Jersey this year. Rowan University is a public school based in Glassboro, NJ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,988. Set against $24,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Rowan University report
William Paterson University Of New Jersey placed #21 among the best-value Trade schools in New Jersey. Set in Wayne, NJ, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,344 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $25,644. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,780. That is a strong return on a $25,644 median debt. About 90% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on William Paterson University Of New Jersey
Eastwick College Hackensack landed the #22 spot for value in New Jersey this year. Based in Hackensack, NJ, Eastwick College Hackensack is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,075. Students borrow a median of $18,758 to complete their Trade program here. Eastwick College Hackensack alumni report median earnings of $39,762 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Eastwick College Hackensack
New Jersey City University placed #23 among the best-value Trade schools in New Jersey. This public school is set in Jersey City, NJ. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,460. New Jersey City University Trade students take on a median of $22,107 in debt. Median earnings reach $52,745 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 98% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full New Jersey City University report
Eastwick College Nutley came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Located in Nutley, NJ, Eastwick College Nutley is a private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,848. Typical Trade student debt is $14,304. Median earnings reach $42,827 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Eastwick College Nutley
Devry University New Jersey offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Located in Iselin, NJ, Devry University New Jersey is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $17,008 in tuition and fees. Devry University New Jersey Trade students take on a median of $43,796 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,987 ten years after entry. Set against $43,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Devry University New Jersey has an acceptance rate of 100%. More on Devry University New Jersey
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in New Jersey
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Berkeley College Woodland Park landed the #26 spot for value in New Jersey this year. This private for-profit school is set in Woodland Park, NJ. In-state tuition and fees run about $28,320. Students borrow a median of $27,068 to complete their Trade program here. Median earnings reach $40,251 ten years out. Set against $27,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Berkeley College Woodland Park profile
College Of Saint Elizabeth offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. Set in Morristown, NJ, College Of Saint Elizabeth is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,740. Graduates carry a median of $25,496 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,038 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of Saint Elizabeth has an acceptance rate of 71%. See the full College Of Saint Elizabeth profile
Caldwell College came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Caldwell, NJ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,848. The median Trade program debt is $26,188. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,843. Set against $26,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Caldwell College has an acceptance rate of 71%. Get the full Caldwell College report
Saint Peters College offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Based in Jersey City, NJ, Saint Peters College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $42,552. Students borrow a median of $22,969 to complete their Trade program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,815 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 90% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Saint Peters College report
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. Located in Madison, NJ, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,468. The median Trade program debt is $24,701. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,273. Set against $24,701 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%. Read more about Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham
Monmouth University placed #31 among the best-value Trade schools in New Jersey. This private not-for-profit school is set in West Long Branch, NJ. In-state tuition and fees run about $46,552. Monmouth University Trade students take on a median of $26,847 in debt. Monmouth University alumni report median earnings of $67,991 a decade after entry. Set against $26,847 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Monmouth University
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus landed the #31 spot for value in New Jersey this year. Located in Teaneck, NJ, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,010. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus Trade students take on a median of $24,770 in debt. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus alumni report median earnings of $57,273 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%. See the full Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus profile
Beth Medrash Govoha ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Get the full Beth Medrash Govoha report
Somerset Christian College landed the #34 spot for value in New Jersey this year. Read more about Somerset Christian College
National Career Institute landed the #35 spot for value in New Jersey this year. More on National Career Institute
Lincoln Technical Institute Paramus offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. More on Lincoln Technical Institute Paramus
Eastwick College
Eastwick College landed the #37 spot for value in New Jersey this year. Read the full report on Eastwick College
Warren County Community College landed the #38 spot for value in New Jersey this year. See the full Warren County Community College profile
Georgian Court University came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Georgian Court University report
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey landed the #40 spot for value in New Jersey this year. More on The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey
Mercer County Community College placed #41 among the best-value Trade schools in New Jersey. Read the full report on Mercer County Community College
New Brunswick Theological Seminary ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. More on New Brunswick Theological Seminary
Parisian Beauty School ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Read more about Parisian Beauty School
Rutgers University Camden landed the #44 spot for value in New Jersey this year. More on Rutgers University Camden
American Institute Clifton placed #45 among the best-value Trade schools in New Jersey. Read more about American Institute Clifton
Prism Career Institute Cherry Hill came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Prism Career Institute Cherry Hill
Yeshiva Gedolah Keren Hatorah ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. More on Yeshiva Gedolah Keren Hatorah
Holy Name Medical Center School Of Nursing ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. More on Holy Name Medical Center School Of Nursing
Mobile Technical Training offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. Get the full Mobile Technical Training report
Universal Technical Institute Bloomfield ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Get the full Universal Technical Institute Bloomfield report
More Trade Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 32 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 149 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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