College tuition fees rose 3.2% in Morris County in the 2022-23 school year, according to the latest disclosure from the National Center for Education Statistics.
Data shows that students paid $21,476 on average to attend higher education courses at the time, $673 more than the previous school year.
Among the 10 institutions in the county, Drew University stood out with the highest tuition fees, reaching an average of $44,174. Saint Elizabeth University followed with an average of $34,930 per year. Assumption College for Sisters students were offered the lowest annual tuition fees at $5,773.
At the time, at least $30.6 million in grants or scholarships were awarded to full-time undergraduates who started at the Morris County universities in the 2022-23 school year. Additionally, federal student loans reached more than $7.2 million.
Currently there are 10 higher education institutions in Morris County, including Drew University, Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus, and County College of Morris.
Undergraduate education costs have seen a significant increase over the past few decades. Data shows a 169% rise in the average total cost, including tuition, fees, room, and board, between 1980 and 2020.
According to a 2023 College Board report, in-state students at public universities paid an average of $11,260, while out-of-state students paid $29,150 in the 2023-24 academic year.
Meanwhile, student loan debt has steadily increased over the last 30 years, reaching $1.75 trillion in 2024, averaging a total of $28,950 per borrower. Federal loans make up 92% of the debt, with over half of students at both public and private four-year colleges graduating with student loans.
Available data sometimes exceeds 100% due to rounding and administrative calculations.
| Institution | Number of Students Receiving Grants | Total Amount of Grants Received | Average Amount of Grant Per Student | Number of Students Receiving Loans | Total Amount of Loans Received | Average Amount of Loans Per Student |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morris County Vocational School District | 19 | $106,155 | $5,587 | 23 | $160,022 | $6,957 |
| County College of Morris | 381 | $2,467,571 | $6,477 | 171 | $886,375 | $5,183 |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus | 454 | $11,750,392 | $25,882 | 279 | $2,914,160 | $10,445 |
| Assumption College for Sisters | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Artistic Academy of Hair Design | 36 | $118,484 | $3,291 | 23 | $126,272 | $5,490 |
| Christine Valmy International School of Esthetics & Cosmetology | 0 | $0 | $0 | 0 | $0 | $0 |
| Rabbinical College of America | 54 | $542,864 | $10,053 | 0 | $0 | $0 |
| Cutting Edge Academy | 17 | $118,714 | $6,983 | 19 | $145,496 | $7,658 |
| Saint Elizabeth University | 161 | $5,434,514 | $33,755 | 104 | $790,053 | $7,597 |
| Drew University | 304 | $10,061,564 | $33,097 | 206 | $2,148,213 | $10,428 |
