New Jersey Schools & Education
School quality and education data for all 21 counties.
Avg Graduation Rate
91.4%
Avg Per-Pupil Spending
$13,088
Avg School Score
80/100
Total Schools
2,562
679 districts
State Overview
About Schools in New Jersey
New Jersey Outpaces National Education Standards
New Jersey leads with a 91.4% graduation rate, significantly exceeding the national average of 87.0%. The state invests $13,088 per pupil, slightly above the national benchmark of $13,000. With an average school score of 67.4, New Jersey ranks well above the national median of 50.0.
A High Floor Across All 21 Counties
While all 21 counties report data, school scores vary from a high of 74.8 in Hunterdon to a low of 61.5 in Cumberland. Graduation rates fluctuate across the state, ranging from 84.9% in Hudson County to 95.8% in top-performing areas. Even with this variation, the state's lowest school score remains 11 points higher than the national median.
Spending Drives Success in Garden State Classrooms
New Jersey sees a strong return on investment, where higher per-pupil spending directly correlates with academic achievement. Hunterdon County spends $15,445 per student to reach the state’s highest scores, while Cumberland County’s lower $11,584 investment results in the state’s lowest school score. This $3,861 spending gap highlights the clear link between local funding and student outcomes.
The Gold Standard: NJ's Top Three Counties
Hunterdon, Sussex, and Monmouth counties lead the state, with all three maintaining school scores above 71.0. Hunterdon is the standout performer, combining a state-high 95.8% graduation rate with the highest per-pupil investment of $15,445. Sussex and Monmouth follow closely, both leveraging high spending to keep graduation rates well above 93%.
A National Leader in Public Education
New Jersey is an exceptional state for public education, offering graduation rates and school scores that far exceed national norms. Families should prioritize Hunterdon or Sussex counties for peak performance, though even lower-scoring counties like Hudson remain competitive. The state’s commitment to high per-pupil spending continues to yield some of the best educational outcomes in the country.
Top Performing School Counties
All New Jersey Counties
| County | School Score |
|---|---|
| Hunterdon County | 95/100 |
| Morris County | 94/100 |
| Bergen County | 93/100 |
| Burlington County | 93/100 |
| Salem County | 92/100 |
| Monmouth County | 91/100 |
| Somerset County | 90/100 |
| Sussex County | 89/100 |
| Ocean County | 85/100 |
| Warren County | 84/100 |
| Gloucester County | 84/100 |
| Middlesex County | 83/100 |
| Cape May County | 79/100 |
| Atlantic County | 75/100 |
| Union County | 69/100 |
| Camden County | 68/100 |
| Essex County | 68/100 |
| Mercer County | 66/100 |
| Cumberland County | 62/100 |
| Passaic County | 60/100 |
| Hudson County | 60/100 |
— = data pending from NCES pipeline.
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Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.