
Source: National Center for Educational Statistics. This is the most recent data available as of January 2023
Questions & Answers
What do all these numbers mean?
All costs shown here are the average net cost paid by families in each income bracket for one year at the college in question. Net cost is the total cost of attendance for one year, minus government grants and institutional scholarships. Figures are based on data from the 2020-21 school year, which is the latest available as of January 2023.
What is “Total Cost” on the chart?
Total cost is the total cost of attendance for one year at that particular college. It includes:
- Tuition and fees (in-state tuition for public schools)
- Room and board (on campus)
- Books and supplies
- Other expenses (travel and personal)
There are detailed chart below for each school that shows these expenses. Click here to go to the individual cost breakdown for schools.
How can I use this information?
This information is useful for building a realistic college budget. It's a good place to start until you better understand your specific circumstances. For example, let's say your income is $100,000 per year. This chart shows that the average state school would run $21,274 and the average private school would be $25,085. You can also get information on specific New Jersey schools in the chart above or the tables below.
Will my family pay the amount on this chart?
Probably not. The numbers are averages. You may be below average or above average. However, there are two key points we can learn from this data:
- Families with higher incomes ($75,000-$110,000 and $110,000+) will most likely pay close to full price at the public schools.
- Private colleges have a higher list price but offer more discounts. This brings their net price much closer to the cost of state-funded schools.
Where did this information come from?
As part of federal financial aid, colleges are required to provide detailed cost information to the U.S. government. This data is made available to the public through the National Center for Education Statistics. For more details, click here.
What about athletes, merit aid or minority students?
Athletes, high achieving students, and those with minority status are averaged in with everyone else. Within each income bracket, there are families that pay more than average and families that pay less than average.
The costs on this chart seem large. How can families afford to pay it?
For many families paying for college is not easy, but in the end they figure out. Most families will pay their net cost of college with some combination of:
- College savings and investments
- Payments from current income
- Loans
- Outside scholarships (check out the Scholarship Guide For Busy Parents to learn how your student can win scholarships)
- Tax planning
- Student work

Net Price:
Net prices is the total cost of attendance for one year, minus the average amount in government grants and institutional scholarships the school awards. This is an average, so you may pay above the average or below the average. Your exact net price is likely to be different and sometimes drastically different.
Most families will pay the net price with some combination of savings and investments, current income and various loans. Some students will also receive scholarships from sources other than the federal or state government or the college. Any scholarships and grants from these outside sources are not included in the data. However, government grants and institutional scholarships are included in the averages.
Total Cost at Rutgers University-New Brunswick (2020-21) | |
---|---|
Tuition and Fees | $15,003 |
Room and Board | $13,075 |
Books | $1,350 |
Other Expenses | $3,574 |
Total | $33,002 |
Total Cost:
Total cost is the total cost of attendance for that particular institution for the 2020-21 school year. This is the latest data available as of January 2023. Total costs include:
- Tuition and fees (in-state tuition for public schools)
- Room and board (on campus)
- Books and supplies
- Other expenses (travel and personal)
College Total Cost | ||
---|---|---|
Family Income | NJ Public $33,486 | NJ Private $58,708 |
$0 - $30k | $10,715 | $14,719 |
$30,001 – $48k | $11,763 | $15,105 |
$48,001 – $75k | $16,319 | $19,785 |
$75,001 – $110k | $21,274 | $25,085 |
$110,001+ | $22,900 | $29,679 |
Public vs. Private Averages
This table shows the average total cost of attendance for the New Jersey public and private colleges we have included in our analysis. The costs include a breakdown of the average net price paid by family income. Notice that the average private college is $4,000-$7,000 more than the average public school, depending on your income bracket. It is important to stress that these are averages. Most families will not be average, and their individual circumstances could be drastically different. I encourage all families to work with their preferred colleges to get information specific to their family.
Below are similar charts for each individual private and public college in New Jersey. Click a school to view its complete chart.
Public NJ Schools Cost Breakdown
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Rowan University
Glassboro Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $12,939 $14,376 Room and Board $14,937 $15,484 Books $1,850 $1,120 Other Expenses $5,185 $4,206 Total $34,911 $35,186 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $16,275 $16,403 $30,001 - $48k $17,092 $17,227 $48,001 - $75k $22,676 $22,855 $75,001 - $110k $27,341 $27,556 $110,001+ $27,537 $27,754 -
New Jersey City University
Jersey City Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $14,738 $15,072 Room and Board $15,084 $15,340 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $4,708 $4,708 Total $35,730 $36,320 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $12,739 $12,949 $30,001 - $48k $12,878 $13,091 $48,001 - $75k $14,780 $15,024 $75,001 - $110k $18,483 $18,788 $110,001+ $17,809 $18,103 -
Kean University
Union Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $12,445 $12,595 Room and Board $14,472 $14,834 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $2,281 $2,281 Total $30,198 $30,710 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $13,938 $14,174 $30,001 - $48k $14,955 $15,209 $48,001 - $75k $18,859 $19,179 $75,001 - $110k $22,884 $23,272 $110,001+ $23,547 $23,946 -
Montclair State University
Montclair Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $13,073 $13,298 Room and Board $15,674 $16,388 Books $1,240 $1,240 Other Expenses $2,125 $2,170 Total $32,112 $33,096 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $9,028 $9,305 $30,001 - $48k $10,565 $10,889 $48,001 - $75k $15,177 $15,642 $75,001 - $110k $19,814 $20,421 $110,001+ $21,571 $22,232 -
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Newark Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $17,674 $18,016 Room and Board $13,900 $14,200 Books $2,900 $3,000 Other Expenses $4,100 $4,100 Total $38,574 $39,316 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $10,517 $10,719 $30,001 - $48k $12,508 $12,749 $48,001 - $75k $16,820 $17,144 $75,001 - $110k $21,498 $21,912 $110,001+ $23,665 $24,120
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Ramapo College of New Jersey
Mahwah Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $14,952 $14,952 Room and Board $14,420 $14,478 Books $1,594 $1,594 Other Expenses $3,250 $3,250 Total $34,216 $34,274 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $6,453 $6,464 $30,001 - $48k $9,555 $9,571 $48,001 - $75k $14,464 $14,489 $75,001 - $110k $20,795 $20,830 $110,001+ $22,372 $22,410 -
Rutgers University-Camden
Camden Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $14,877 $15,657 Room and Board $12,691 $12,652 Books $1,350 $1,350 Other Expenses $3,574 $3,574 Total $32,492 $33,233 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $8,832 $9,033 $30,001 - $48k $8,527 $8,721 $48,001 - $75k $11,013 $11,264 $75,001 - $110k $15,890 $16,252 $110,001+ $22,630 $23,146 -
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
New Brunswick Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $15,003 $15,804 Room and Board $13,075 $13,402 Books $1,350 $1,350 Other Expenses $3,574 $3,574 Total $33,002 $34,130 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $7,114 $7,357 $30,001 - $48k $8,637 $8,932 $48,001 - $75k $15,079 $15,594 $75,001 - $110k $21,013 $21,731 $110,001+ $23,387 $24,186 -
Stockton University
Galloway Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $14,329 $14,885 Room and Board $12,347 $12,666 Books $1,375 $1,375 Other Expenses $2,272 $4,621 Total $30,323 $33,547 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $12,550 $13,884 $30,001 - $48k $13,547 $14,987 $48,001 - $75k $19,236 $21,281 $75,001 - $110k $23,773 $26,301 $110,001+ $25,192 $27,870 -
The College of New Jersey
Ewing Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $16,029 $17,287 Room and Board $14,316 $13,752 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $3,922 $3,598 Total $35,467 $35,837 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $4,889 $4,940 $30,001 - $48k $5,972 $6,034 $48,001 - $75k $13,221 $13,359 $75,001 - $110k $21,456 $21,680 $110,001+ $22,967 $23,207 -
William Paterson University of New Jersey
Wayne Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $13,770 $14,210 Room and Board $13,706 $13,021 Books $1,600 $1,600 Other Expenses $2,250 $2,250 Total $31,326 $31,081 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $15,529 $15,408 $30,001 - $48k $15,156 $15,037 $48,001 - $75k $18,182 $18,040 $75,001 - $110k $21,064 $20,899 $110,001+ $21,228 $21,062
Private NJ Schools Cost Breakdown
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Bloomfield College
Bloomfield Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $30,680 $30,680 Room and Board $12,650 $12,900 Books $1,379 $1,400 Other Expenses $2,886 $3,012 Total $47,595 $47,992 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $20,681 $20,854 $30,001 - $48k $21,513 $21,692 $48,001 - $75k $21,055 $21,231 $75,001 - $110k $27,614 $27,844 $110,001+ $25,237 $25,448 -
Caldwell University
Caldwell Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $36,700 $36,900 Room and Board $12,760 $12,760 Books $2,600 $2,600 Other Expenses $3,400 $3,400 Total $55,460 $55,660 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $8,778 $8,810 $30,001 - $48k $9,575 $9,610 $48,001 - $75k $20,818 $20,893 $75,001 - $110k $21,745 $21,823 $110,001+ $24,088 $24,175 -
Centenary University
Hackettstown Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $34,498 $34,498 Room and Board $12,186 $11,788 Books $900 $900 Other Expenses $3,960 $3,960 Total $51,544 $51,146 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $20,145 $19,989 $30,001 - $48k $15,799 $15,677 $48,001 - $75k $21,820 $21,652 $75,001 - $110k $26,649 $26,443 $110,001+ $30,037 $29,805 -
Drew University
Madison Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $40,960 $42,952 Room and Board $14,723 $15,868 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $1,982 $1,982 Total $58,865 $62,002 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $8,942 $9,419 $30,001 - $48k $9,717 $10,235 $48,001 - $75k $13,634 $14,361 $75,001 - $110k $17,866 $18,818 $110,001+ $22,837 $24,054 -
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus
Teaneck Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $42,240 $33,114 Room and Board $13,990 $14,038 Books $1,520 $1,520 Other Expenses $2,856 $4,868 Total $60,606 $53,540 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $6,667 $5,890 $30,001 - $48k $8,373 $7,397 $48,001 - $75k $15,326 $13,539 $75,001 - $110k $17,082 $15,090 $110,001+ $22,905 $20,235 -
Felician University
Lodi Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $35,000 $35,700 Room and Board $13,140 $13,400 Books $1,300 $1,200 Other Expenses $3,470 $3,080 Total $52,910 $53,380 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,768 $14,899 $30,001 - $48k $15,194 $15,329 $48,001 - $75k $18,670 $18,836 $75,001 - $110k $24,401 $24,618 $110,001+ $25,493 $25,719 -
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus
Madison Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $44,740 $33,114 Room and Board $14,038 $14,035 Books $1,520 $1,520 Other Expenses $2,856 $4,868 Total $63,154 $53,537 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $7,365 $6,243 $30,001 - $48k $9,607 $8,144 $48,001 - $75k $13,464 $11,414 $75,001 - $110k $18,296 $15,510 $110,001+ $27,589 $23,388
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Georgian Court University
Lakewood Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $33,640 $34,481 Room and Board $11,424 $11,710 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $4,700 $4,700 Total $50,964 $52,091 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $15,654 $16,000 $30,001 - $48k $14,810 $15,138 $48,001 - $75k $19,584 $20,017 $75,001 - $110k $24,123 $24,656 $110,001+ $25,303 $25,863 -
Monmouth University
West Long Branch Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $40,680 $41,680 Room and Board $14,942 $15,315 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $4,007 $4,038 Total $60,629 $62,033 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $15,419 $15,776 $30,001 - $48k $17,862 $18,276 $48,001 - $75k $23,227 $23,765 $75,001 - $110k $29,748 $30,437 $110,001+ $32,593 $33,348 -
Princeton University
Princeton Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $48,502 $56,010 Room and Board $15,342 $18,180 Books $1,050 $1,050 Other Expenses $3,150 $3,250 Total $68,044 $78,490 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $5,761 $6,645 $30,001 - $48k $5,544 $6,395 $48,001 - $75k $6,975 $8,046 $75,001 - $110k $17,703 $20,421 $110,001+ $42,868 $49,449 -
Rider University
Lawrenceville Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $45,860 $35,850 Room and Board $15,500 $16,610 Books $1,500 $1,500 Other Expenses $2,500 $2,500 Total $65,360 $56,460 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $16,071 $13,883 $30,001 - $48k $17,115 $14,784 $48,001 - $75k $20,910 $18,063 $75,001 - $110k $25,683 $22,186 $110,001+ $29,214 $25,236 -
Saint Peter's University
Jersey City Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $38,760 $38,760 Room and Board $15,950 $16,920 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $1,300 $1,300 Total $57,010 $57,980 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $8,629 $8,776 $30,001 - $48k $8,974 $9,127 $48,001 - $75k $15,088 $15,345 $75,001 - $110k $17,097 $17,388 $110,001+ $21,901 $22,274 -
Seton Hall University
South Orange Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $45,290 $46,880 Room and Board $15,368 $15,836 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $3,000 $3,000 Total $64,658 $66,716 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $20,352 $21,000 $30,001 - $48k $23,650 $24,403 $48,001 - $75k $30,391 $31,358 $75,001 - $110k $34,592 $35,693 $110,001+ $39,370 $40,623 -
College of Saint Elizabeth
Morristown Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $34,876 $34,876 Room and Board $12,744 $12,744 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $4,908 $4,908 Total $53,828 $53,828 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $19,775 $19,775 $30,001 - $48k $18,572 $18,572 $48,001 - $75k $17,041 $17,041 $75,001 - $110k $32,383 $32,383 $110,001+ $29,183 $29,183 -
Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken Year 2020-21 2021-22 Tuition and Fees $55,952 $56,920 Room and Board $16,260 $16,600 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $1,020 $1,050 Total $74,432 $75,770 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $24,418 $24,857 $30,001 - $48k $24,774 $25,219 $48,001 - $75k $32,444 $33,027 $75,001 - $110k $34,497 $35,117 $110,001+ $44,482 $45,282
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