Best colleges in New Jersey

Higher Education Along the Jersey Shore

Small in size but big in college education

New Jersey is home to 66 higher education institutions, including research universities, 8 state colleges, and 14 private schools. Home to one prestigious Ivy League school, New Jersey was the first to open a university prior to the American Revolution. This is where the serious students go, as there is a wide array of technological and medical schools, along with a lot of regal history rooted in New Jersey education. Popular majors include science, technology, elementary education, and business administration. Graduates go on to work at great corporations like Atlantic Aircraft, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Buy Buy Baby, and Mutual Benefit Life Insurance.

There are plenty of ways to kick up your heels on the weekends in New Jersey. With cherry blossoms, lakes, and a multitude of beaches to enjoy, New Jersey is home to popular hot spots like Atlantic City and Asbury Park. Take a jaunt on a few campuses for some amazing history, and stop in at one of many award-winning wineries. Be sure to stop by the Cloverleaf Tavern in Caldwell or the Copper Mine Pub in North Arlington for great drinks and plenty of company. New Jersey is always guaranteed to deliver on great times and great education. www.nj.gov Wikipedia, "Companies_based_in_New Jersey" http://newyork.cbslocal.com/guide/new-jerseys-5-best-craft-beer-bars/

Click Here to See the Best Colleges in the US*www.nj.gov *Wikipedia, “Companies_based_in_New Jersey” *http://newyork.cbslocal.com/guide/new-jerseys-5-best-craft-beer-bars/

Best Four Year Universities in New Jersey

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ
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Princeton University is a private university founded in 1746 in the suburban college town of Princeton, New Jersey. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of just over 5,000 students who attend classes on a 600-acre campus. Princeton is one of the “Big Three” Ivy League institutions and conducts classes on a semester-based academic calendar with tuition and fees for students totaling over $52,000.

Princeton is known for its unique residential living system that groups students into what has been colloquially called “eating clubs,” or dorms that have a central kitchen for the residents to frequent as a collective. There are also over 500 student groups and clubs including a university radio station, student-run newspaper, and a storied Princeton Tiger’s athletic program. 

Princeton has a rich academic network and has graduated Supreme Court Justices, Fortune 500 billionaires, and multiple Secretaries of Defense. The university boasts a massive $26 billion-dollar endowment that translates to a $2 billion annual budget that sustains this globally recognized and affluent center for learning. Notable alumni include Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, former President James Madison, and former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama.

Stevens Institute of Technology offers 160 degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2023, 3,643 students graduated with students earning 2,351 Master's degrees, 944 Bachelor's degrees, 282 Certificates, and 66 Doctoral degrees.

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Rutgers University is a public land-grant research university founded in 1766, with a current undergraduate enrollment of roughly 35,000. The university is the second-oldest institution of higher education in New Jersey and, with campuses in New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden, is the largest university in the state. Rutgers’ tuition and fees for in-state students are less than half the cost of those for out-of-state students, making it an affordable option for NJ residents. 

Rutgers has a variety of extracurricular opportunities for students including a study abroad office that offers programs in over 50 different countries. Beyond academics, Rutgers’ Scarlet Knights athletic teams compete in the BIG10, and enjoys a local football rivalry with Princeton. Rutgers University is made up of 175 academic departments including competitive medical, dental, and English programs. 

The main university campus is in a suburban setting and sprawls over 2,500 acres. Classes follow a semester-based academic calendar and the current student-faculty ratio at Rutgers is 16:1, which is low for a large state institution. Rutgers students get to enjoy a vibrant food and bar scene in New Brunswick and are only a train ride away from both New York City and Philadelphia. Notable alumni include U.S. Women’s National Team player Carli Lloyd, actor James Gandolfini, and American economist, Milton Friedman

New Jersey Institute of Technology offers 138 degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2023, 3,245 students graduated with students earning 1,810 Bachelor's degrees, 1,218 Master's degrees, 122 Certificates, and 95 Doctoral degrees.

The College of New Jersey offers 101 degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2023, 2,161 students graduated with students earning 1,725 Bachelor's degrees, 347 Master's degrees, and 89 Certificates.

Drew University
Madison, NJ

Drew University offers 99 degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2023, 542 students graduated with students earning 380 Bachelor's degrees, 101 Master's degrees, 54 Doctoral degrees, and 7 Certificates.

Ramapo College of New Jersey offers 66 degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2023, 1,461 students graduated with students earning 1,157 Bachelor's degrees, 299 Master's degrees, and 5 Doctoral degrees.

Rutgers University-Newark offers 107 degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2023, 3,239 students graduated with students earning 1,783 Bachelor's degrees, 1,124 Master's degrees, and 332 Doctoral degrees.

Rutgers University-Camden offers 83 degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, four-year university in a small city. In 2023, 1,841 students graduated with students earning 1,298 Bachelor's degrees, 354 Master's degrees, and 189 Doctoral degrees.

Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ

Seton Hall University offers 139 degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2023, 2,576 students graduated with students earning 1,336 Bachelor's degrees, 811 Master's degrees, 351 Doctoral degrees, and 78 Certificates.

Best Community Colleges in New Jersey

Seminary Bnos Chaim
Lakewood, NJ

Seminary Bnos Chaim offers 2 degree programs. It's a very small, private not-for-profit, two-year college in a small city. In 2023, 89 students graduated with students earning 89 Associate's degrees.

Yeshiva Gedola Tiferes Yerachmiel offers 2 degree programs. It's a very small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a small city. In 2023, 60 students graduated with students earning 59 Associate's degrees, and 1 Bachelor's degree.

Yeshiva Gedolah Keren Hatorah offers 2 degree programs. It's a very small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a small city. In 2023, 39 students graduated with students earning 39 Associate's degrees.

Assumption College for Sisters offers 2 degree programs. It's a very small, private not-for-profit, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2023, 11 students graduated with students earning 6 Associate's degrees, and 5 Certificates.

Eastwick College-Nutley offers 14 degree programs. It's a very small, private for-profit, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2023, 185 students graduated with students earning 125 Associate's degrees, and 60 Certificates.

Jersey College
Teterboro, NJ

Jersey College offers 2 degree programs. It's a small, private for-profit, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2023, 1,065 students graduated with students earning 729 Associate's degrees, and 336 Certificates.

Warren County Community College offers 42 degree programs. It's a small, public, two-year college in a outlying rural area. In 2023, 159 students graduated with students earning 159 Associate's degrees.

County College of Morris offers 77 degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2023, 1,036 students graduated with students earning 1,031 Associate's degrees, and 5 Certificates.

Middlesex College
Edison, NJ

Middlesex College offers 71 degree programs. It's a large, public, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2023, 1,479 students graduated with students earning 1,463 Associate's degrees, and 16 Certificates.

Raritan Valley Community College offers 90 degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, two-year college in a outlying rural area. In 2023, 945 students graduated with students earning 890 Associate's degrees, and 55 Certificates.

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List of all colleges in New Jersey

School Average Tuition Student Teacher Ratio Enrolled Students
Princeton University Logo Princeton University Princeton, NJ
5/5
8 : 1 8,922
Stevens Institute of Technology Logo Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, NJ
5/5
25 : 1 8,842
Rutgers University-New Brunswick Logo Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ
4/5
22 : 1 50,617
New Jersey Institute of Technology Logo New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, NJ
4/5
25 : 1 13,007
The College of New Jersey Logo The College of New Jersey Ewing, NJ
4/5
21 : 1 7,652