College Azimuth

College research / Rankings

Best Education Colleges in New Jersey (2026)

Updated

This page ranks the 13 colleges in New Jersey that report earnings for their Education graduates, ordered by median earnings of Education graduates four years after completing. Seton Hall University leads the list at $67,233, followed by Montclair State University at $65,007 and Monmouth University at $63,068.

Across the 11 schools with a published figure, median earnings reach $60,433, with a spread of $23,063 from the top to the bottom of the list.

The group splits almost evenly: 6 public and 7 private nonprofit institutions. Montclair State University holds the strongest Azimuth composite rank, placing 56th among nonprofit four-year institutions.

Saint Peter's University posts the lowest average net price on the page at $12,199, while The College of New Jersey reports the highest six-year completion rate at 86%.

The ranked list

13 schools in list order
RankSchoolMedian Education EarningsAverage net priceNet price, families under $30KAdmission rate
1Seton Hall University · South Orange, NJ$67,233$31,446$19,62373.3%
Seton Hall University leads this list with median earnings of $67,233 for its Education graduates four years after completing, and its 445th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions sits at 445th.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Special Education and Teaching (20 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (20 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($62,399)

2Montclair State University · Montclair, NJ$65,007$15,566$10,88087.9%
A public university in Montclair, Montclair State University reports an average net price of $15,566 alongside a six-year completion rate of 65%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (54 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (20 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($65,007)

3Monmouth University · West Long Branch, NJ$63,068$30,988$18,92489.0%
Monmouth University admits 89% of applicants and posts median earnings of $63,068 for its Education graduates four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Education, General (60 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (17 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Education, General ($63,068)

4The College of New Jersey · Ewing, NJ$62,407$27,646$7,90862.3%
With a six-year completion rate of 86%, The College of New Jersey graduates 86% of its students within six years and reports an average net price of $7,908 for families earning under $30,000.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (104 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (88 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (76 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($62,281), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($59,328)

5Saint Peter's University · Jersey City, NJ$62,040$12,199$10,78390.3%
Saint Peter's University carries the lowest average net price on the page at $12,199 and reports median earnings of $62,040 for its Education graduates four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (37 graduates)

6Caldwell University · Caldwell, NJ$60,433$24,691$18,05971.3%
Caldwell University reports median earnings of $60,433 for its Education graduates four years after completing, a figure that matches the list median of $60,433.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (12 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($60,433)

7Rider University · Lawrenceville, NJ$60,414$24,792$15,82478.6%
Rider University posts an admission rate of 79% and an average net price of $15,824 for families earning under $30,000.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (74 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (22 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($61,208), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($60,178)

8Kean University · Union, NJ$60,185$12,447$7,37475.9%
Kean University reports median earnings of $60,185 for its Education graduates four years after completing, and its six-year completion rate stands at 47%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (116 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (42 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (37 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($63,156), Special Education and Teaching ($61,158), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($58,885)

9Centenary University · Hackettstown, NJNo published median$20,503$13,32983.1%
Centenary University ranks 9th on this list and reports an average net price of $20,503 alongside a six-year completion rate of 56%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (26 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (6 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($61,358)

10Rowan University · Glassboro, NJ$57,739$22,408$15,30577.7%
Rowan University reports median earnings of $57,739 for its Education graduates four years after completing, and its 208th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions is 208th.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (167 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (85 graduates), Special Education and Teaching (70 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($57,739)

11Stockton University · Galloway, NJ$56,838$20,670$15,13588.9%
Stockton University admits 89% of applicants and reports an average net price of $15,135 for families earning under $30,000.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (23 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($56,838)

12William Paterson University of New Jersey · Wayne, NJNo published median$18,745$16,17190.1%
William Paterson University of New Jersey ranks 12th on this list, with a six-year completion rate of 44% and an average net price of $18,745.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (61 graduates), Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (23 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($63,203)

13Felician University · Lodi, NJ$44,170$40,045$39,626Not reported
Felician University, a private nonprofit university in Lodi, reports median earnings of $44,170 for its Education graduates two years after completing, alongside a six-year completion rate of 47%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (13 graduates)

How this list is ordered

Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Education graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only schools with a reported Education earnings cohort in New Jersey appear. The figure captures federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled, measured four years after they finished the program. For 1 of the 13 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or differences in who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The range and median below cover the 11 schools with a published figure. Seton Hall University leads Montclair State University by $2,226, and the spread from the top of the list to the bottom reaches $23,063.

Job market context in New Jersey

Education graduates in New Jersey enter a labor market linked to occupations such as Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, and Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. Across those occupations the median annual wage is $81,702, and a quarter of workers in those occupations earn less than $66,765. The state projects about 16,610 openings a year, or about 1,217 openings a year for every hundred graduates, which is more projected openings than graduates. Projections for 2024 to 2034 put employment in those occupations about 5.6% higher. Wages and top occupations exclude management occupations; openings include them. The ranking above uses graduate earnings four years after completing, not the occupation-wide wage figures shown here.

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