Galloway, NJ —Stockton University has once again been named one of the Best Colleges in America by Money Magazine, earning a spot on the publication’s 2026 list of colleges and universities that offer outstanding value through a combination of quality, affordability and good student outcomes.
Money’s Best Colleges list includes 735 schools nationwide selected from more than 2,400 institutions. The list does not assign a single numerical ranking. Instead, institutions receive star ratings that recognize colleges that provide exceptional educational value based on measurable student outcomes and affordability. Stockton received four out of five stars for the fifth year in a row.
“We are proud to be a university that provides an excellent return on investment for our students and their families while serving as an anchor institution for southern New Jersey and expanding access to higher education for all,” said Stockton President Joe Bertolino.
We are proud to be a university that provides an excellent return on investment for our students and their families while serving as an anchor institution for southern New Jersey and expanding access to higher education for all.”
Stockton President Joe Bertolino
The annual rankings evaluate colleges and universities nationwide based on 25 measures of educational quality, affordability and alumni success. The magazine’s methodology considers factors such as graduation rates, tuition costs, financial aid, student debt and graduate income to help prospective students identify institutions that offer a high return on investment.
Stockton has consistently earned national recognition for its focus on student success, affordability and social mobility. Last year, The Chronicle of Higher Education ranked Stockton among the top 50 public universities in the country for graduation rates for Pell Grant-eligible students. Pell Grants are a federal indicator of financial need.
“With a six-year graduation rate of 72% for Pell Grant recipients, nearly double the national public average of 39%, Stockton proves that a public education can provide real opportunity and advancement,” Bertolino said.
Bertolino added that 95% of the university’s first-year, full-time students receive financial aid, and Stockton awarded $18 million in grants and scholarships to those students this year.
“Our students benefit from outstanding academic programs, personal support, hands-on learning opportunities and a campus community committed to helping them succeed long after they graduate,” Bertolino said.
In addition to being named to Money magazine’s list, Stockton has also been recognized by other national publications, including US News and World Report, Washington Monthly, the Wall Street Journal and the Princeton Review. The university was also named one of the top ten schools in the country for its outstanding care of military veterans, according to the Military Friendly School Survey.
Stockton offers more than 160 undergraduate and graduate programs while maintaining a strong commitment to experiential learning, undergraduate research, internships and community engagement.
– Story by Mark Melhorn, photos by Susan Allen
https://stockton.edu/news/2026/money-magazine-rankings.html
