Galloway, N.J. —Stockton University has once again been recognized as one of Money magazine’s Best Colleges in America, earning a place on the publication’s 2026 list of colleges and universities that deliver outstanding value through a combination of quality, affordability and strong student outcomes.

Money’s Best College 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 providing exceptional educational value based on measurable student outcomes and affordability. Stockton received four stars out of five for the fifth straight year.

“We are proud to be a university that delivers an outstanding 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.

The annual rankings evaluate colleges and universities nationwide using 25 measures of educational quality, affordability and alumni success. The magazine’s methodology considers factors such as graduation rates, tuition and fees, financial aid, student debt and graduates’ earnings to help prospective students identify institutions that provide a strong 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 nationally for its graduation rates of Pell Grant-eligible students. Pell Grants are a federal indicator of financial need.

“With a 72% six-year graduation rate for Pell recipients, which is nearly double the national public average of 39%, Stockton is proving that a public education can unlock real opportunities and upward mobility,” Bertolino said.

Bertolino added that 95% of the university’s first-time, full-time undergraduates receive financial aid, and Stockton awarded $18 million this year in grants and scholarships to those students.

"Our students benefit from outstanding academic programs, personalized support, hands-on learning opportunities, and a campus community dedicated to helping them succeed long after graduation,” Bertolino said.

In addition to being include in Money magazine’s list, Stockton has also been recognized by other national publications, including U.S. News and World Report, Washington Monthly, the Wall Street Journal and the Princeton Review. The university has also been named a Top 10 school in the country for its outstanding outreach to 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