Here's a deeper look at what's available in terms of online colleges in New Jersey:
One way New Jersey's state leaders support residents' postsecondary education is through the statewide transfer agreement. The agreement guarantees that students who complete an associate degree program at any community college in the state can transfer as juniors into one of New Jersey's public colleges.
For information about the top 10 online colleges in New Jersey, read on. This page features a wealth of useful information, including financial aid resources such as scholarships and loan programs specific to the state.
Discovering the online college that's right for you can be a long and involved process. Our goal is to help simplify the process, by presenting prospective students with rankings of the best online colleges in New Jersey. All of the schools displayed in our rankings have received accreditation through an official accrediting agency, such as:
Accreditation is extremely important for all colleges to hold, whether they are online or brick-and-mortar institutions. To learn why, read our "What is College Accreditation?" page. For more details about the accreditation of universities, colleges and community colleges in New Jersey, visit the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education in New Jersey website.
However, accreditation is not the only factor we take into account for our rankings. We assess schools based on several metrics, selected for their relevance to the online college experience. These factors — including graduation rate, availability of tuition plans and access to academic and career services — give prospective students ways to compare and contrast online schools. For more details about the criteria we chose and why, see the "What Makes a Good Online College?" section of our "About Us" page.
With so many educational options available in New Jersey, it can be difficult to make a decision about which one to attend. To help you make a decision, we analyzed data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) regarding tuition, online programs, retention rate and more to create this list of the 10 best online colleges and universities in the state.
Visit our methodologies page to learn more about how we use official data to evaluate schools.
What is SIT like?
The Stevens Institute of Technology is a private research university founded in 1870. It offers two National Research Centers of Excellence and a unique blend of technological education and applied learning opportunities. Special programs abound, such as accelerated master's programs, entrepreneurship coursework, internships, cooperative education and the Pinnacle Scholars Program, among many others.
What online programs are at SIT?
Online education at SIT focuses on the graduate level, with a plethora of online master's degree and graduate certificate programs. Available subjects include computer engineering, construction management, machine learning, space systems engineering and business administration, with courses delivered via the Blackboard and Canvas learning platforms.
Most graduate certificate programs at SIT are only four courses in length, making them quite manageable to complete. If they desire, graduate certificate students may apply for a master's program mid-certificate and transition their completed courses towards completion of an approved master's program instead.
What online resources does SIT offer?
SIT students have access to online resources including library materials, and the Continuing and Professional Student Care Center, which assists online students with admissions, registration, billing, deadlines and graduation requirements. The college may also offer reduced tuition costs to qualifying students for certain online semesters. SIT's Boosted Learning Initiative helps online students better retain the information they receive through their classes via multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, or open-ended discussion-type questions.
What is RUNB like?
Rutgers University is a leading national research university established in 1766. It was one of America's first land-grant institutions and has since become a member of the Association of American Universities and the Big Ten Conference. RUNB has a diverse population of more than 50,000 students, almost 80 percent of whom receive some sort of financial aid.
What online programs are at RUNB?
RUNB offers several online master's programs as well as a handful of bachelor's programs, most available 100 percent online. Some of these programs are rather uncommon to find online, such as the bachelor's in labor and employment Relations, the M.S. in supply chain management and the Ed.M. in language education.
RUNB uses multiple learning platforms it uses for its courses, including Moodle, Blackboard, Sakai and eCollege, which allows RUNB instructors to select the one that best suits their subject or teaching style, and helps students who have preferences for one system or another to find courses that use the platform they prefer.
What online resources does RUNB offer?
"New student modules" are designed to assist online students with everything from navigating learning platforms to understanding how to share documents, thread discussions and more. Online students may access many of the same resources available to those on-campus, such as the Office of Academic Success, which offers tutoring, writing support and services for students with disabilities.
What is BCWP like?
Berkeley College, founded in 1931, started delivering online learning in 1998, which has given it a long time to perfect its approach. BCWP goes out of its way to help its online students feel connected to their school with events like National Distance Learning Week, an annual celebration of online learning filled with special events and opportunities for student engagement. This year the school held on to its spot at No. 3 on our list of the best online colleges in New Jersey.
What online programs are at BCWP?
The school offers asynchronous online programs in over a dozen fields, including medical insurance, billing and coding, criminal justice and fashion merchandising and management. Most of these programs are aimed at the undergraduate level, with associate and bachelor's degree programs and various certificate programs, but Berkeley College also offers an online MBA program. This MBA program may be taken alongside a bachelor's in business administration program, allowing both degree levels to be completed simultaneously in just four years.
What online resources does BCWP offer?
Part of the way BCWP helps online students feel included are online resources that range from academic (tutoring from the Center for Academic Success, electronic library resources with live chat help) to supportive (confidential counseling through the Student Development and Campus Life Department, an Online Veterans Resource Center) to social (clubs, networking and outreach initiatives).
What is NJIT like?
As a top polytechnic university, it makes sense that the New Jersey Institute of Technology's online programs are robust. Both online and on-campus students may enjoy a low student-teacher ratio, as well as a storied faculty, of which almost 100 percent hold a terminal degree in their field. The school's particular areas of focus are STEM, business and design, which may be part of the reason that NJIT ranks eighth in the nation for graduate earning potential.
What online programs are at NJIT?
NJIT students are able to pursue online master's degree programs in fields such as business, engineering, power and energy systems, and more. Online graduate certificate programs are also available; these 12-credit programs are primarily aimed towards tech-related fields, such as data mining and pharmaceutical technology. As a side note, the school hosts continuing education courses, making it convenient for graduates to return and update their skills.
Most of NJIT's online programs are asynchronous, and courses take place in the Moodle or Canvas learning platforms. Many courses are delivered through Converged Learning, which allows on-campus and off-campus students to take the same course, independent of location.
What online resources does NJIT offer?
Students begin their online education at NJIT with an orientation on the rigors of online learning. During their academic career, they may take advantage of many of the same resources as on-campus students, including guidance and academic advice from the Office of Graduate Studies, technology assistance from the IST Helpdesk, connection to financial aid packages through the Student Financial Aid Services office and more.
What is RUC like?
Rutgers University was founded in 1926 as the South Jersey Law School. Over time, however, the university has broadened its focus and come to offer more than 50 undergraduate and graduate programs across four highly respected colleges. RUC deserves credit for constantly innovating upon its educational systems; the university supports more than 70 instructional technologies for its courses and works to improve its curricula with faculty training, media design and gamification.
What online programs are at RUC?
RUC is primarily aimed at graduate students, with several online master's degree programs in subjects such as language education, biomedical engineering, accounting, music education, and a handful of four-course graduate certificate programs in areas like public administration and supply chain management. However, there are a few online bachelor's degree programs available for undergraduates, including the self-paced B.A. in business administration, which has a choice of four different industry-focused concentrations.
Courses are delivered through a variety of platforms, including Sakai and Canvas.
What online resources does RUC offer?
Online students in need of support can turn to RUC's resources for technical support, library services, tutoring, dedicated research offices and more. Career assistance can be found at the RUC career development office or through the Handshake platform. First-generation college students should also look into the Educational Opportunity Fund, a state-funded program that may supply up to 12 semesters of RUC grant funding and many other benefits to qualifying students
What is SHU like?
Founded in 1856, this Catholic, career-focused university has been lauded by prominent sources such as The Princeton Review and Bloomberg Businessweek. Students enjoy small class sizes — a 13:1 student-teacher ratio. More than 75 percent of SHU students participate in internships, helping them to earn hands-on experience for high-demand careers in New Jersey and beyond. SHU has moved up one spot in our rankings to No. 6 this year.
What online programs are at SHU?
SHU's online programs focus primarily on graduate-level education in the business and healthcare fields, with programs such as Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.), a Doctor of Nursing Practice and a graduate certificate in healthcare administration. However, a smattering of other subjects adds variety to the university's online catalog, such as the M.A. in police graduate studies or the K-12 supervisor certification program.
SHU offers specializations for many of its online programs, giving students far more freedom than their number of online degree programs may suggest.
What online resources does SHU offer?
Online resources at SHU include advisement, financial aid services, library services, a career center, tech support and more. Student coordinators are available on weekdays to help answer questions and make online learning as seamless as possible. Services may be available through Skype, telephone and/or email.
Students concerned about maintaining a connection with their faith from a distance may be pleased to know that SHU's campus ministry services are accessible for online students as well.
What is Rowan?
Rowan University has stayed on our list of the top online colleges in New Jersey for the third year in a row, and for good reason: as part of its mission to serve the adult student population, Rowan hosts online programs in a variety of formats. Demonstrating its commitment to convenience, Rowan's options include degree and certificate programs, degree completion programs, education-focused certifications and endorsements, and more.
What online programs are at Rowan?
Rowan has an extensive focus on education-oriented programs. Students may select from several online master's in education programs in subjects such as urban education and community studies, educational technology and STEM education. In addition, a wide range of certifications may be earned, including:
Many of RU's online programs are available in an accelerated format, and some are taken in a hybrid format, giving students the opportunity to participate in hands-on training exercises.
What online resources does Rowan offer?
Students enrolled in online programs may take advantage of many of the same resources offered to on-campus students, such as the library, a career management center, tutoring services at no additional cost, academic advising and more. In addition, particular financial aid options may be available for eligible students.
What is GCU like?
GCU is a small private, liberal arts Catholic university open to students of all faiths. Undergraduates are required to participate in service learning, thus helping them earn the hands-on experience they need for their careers. In fact, by their senior year, the school reports that 90% of GCU students have either participated or planned to participate in some form of practicum in the form of internships, field experience programs or clinical placements. GCU moved up to the No. 8 spot in our rankings this year.
What online programs are at GCU?
Students may partake of online bachelor's completion programs in business administration and criminal justice. At the graduate level, various certificates aligned with the New Jersy Professional Standards for Teachers may be earned along with the master's in education, such as:
What online resources does GCU offer?
Online students receive personal attention from the same faculty that teaches on-campus students, as well as access to the Sister Mary Joseph Cunningham Library. Academic advisement is offered to keep students on track, and there is robust support for the Blackboard learning system. Students may join the Career Services Organization on Blackboard to find career planning resources. Online students may also be able to participate in GCU's study abroad program through the Office of Global Education Programs.
What is MU like?
Founded in 1933 as Monmouth Junior College, it grew to become Monmouth College and then to Monmouth University. This year, it made it into our rankings as one of the top online colleges in New Jersey. This private liberal arts university believes in providing a challenging and rigorous academic experience that is delivered with a high level of personalization for each student. The small class sizes with just twelve students per teacher helps them do just that.
What online programs are at MU?
Monmouth University offers undergraduates online courses and well as three graduate programs, including one doctorate, which can be taken primarily online. The advanced degree options are:
Other programs of study that include online aspects include the Master of Education (M.Ed.) Program, Master of Arts in Addiction Studies, and graduate certificates in these fields.
What online resources does MU offer?
Classes are typically delivered asynchronously using voiceover PowerPoint presentations, YouTube Videos, Skype and other learning technologies through MU's e-Campus. The university offers a number of resources for its online students including tutorials, orientation sessions, and Research Guides specifically designed by librarians for each course. Students may also be able to access tutoring and career advice services.
What is Felician like?
Felician was founded in 1942 by the Felician Sisters. This private liberal arts university is the only Franciscan university in New Jersey. Offering a blend of online, hybrid, part-time, and full-time programs, Felician is an Online Learning Consortium-approved university and is a member of NC-SARA. Both, the OLC and NC-SARA, are committed to ensuring the delivery of high-quality online education. Felician University is another new entrant on our list this year.
What online programs are at Felician?
Felician mainly offers online degree programs at the graduate degree level in nursing and religious education. At the undergraduate level, it offer two fast-track nursing programs, the RN to BSN and the bachelor of science in nursing. Apart from these, Felician students can also earn online post-master's certificates in nursing and doctoral degrees in nursing and business administration.
What online resources does FU offer?
Students can access their online courses through Brightspace, Felician University's learning management system. They can also access their classes through the Brightspace Pulse mobile app. Students may find online support through the school's virtual library in the form of interlibrary loans, ebooks, group studies, and more. The University is part of the Felician Online Alliance, a collaboration between Felician, Madonna University, and Villa Maria College, allowing students to access online offerings from all three institutions.
Career changers, single parents, new college students and anyone else interested in attending New Jersey colleges may be looking at affordability as a key factor. After all, paying for college can be a challenge for anyone in any walk of life. Directly below is a list of some of the most affordable online colleges in New Jersey, broken down into two categories: two-year schools and four-year schools.
Every year, over 1 million New Jersey college students receive financial aid through the state's Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA), with more than $18 billion dollars given to students since 1959. For those who wish to attend a New Jersey college or university, HESAA offers scholarships, grants, and loan programs administered by the state.
While the Institute for College Access and Success finds that New Jersey graduates carry an average student loan debt of $28,318, the array of state financial aid programs can help offset tuition and related expenses.
New Jersey's scholarships and grants are generally available to students who have shown academic merit and/or can demonstrate financial need. Every bit of assistance helps, but since grants and scholarships don't have to be repaid, they may be the options most worth exploring.
Check out the Ultimate Guide to Grants for guidance on how to find grants in your state, and the Ultimate Guide to Scholarships for similar assistance with scholarships.
Although federal student loans are usually the most ideal option for student borrowers, state-sponsored loan programs can have favorable terms as well. New Jersey's program helps students who do not have expenses covered by other aid.
Find out more about how student loans work in the Ultimate Guide to Student Loans.
To be considered a resident of New Jersey for tuition purposes, you must generally have had your home in the state for 12 months. Additional rules also apply, but exceptions are almost always made for members of the military. For instance, Rutgers University offers courses under the New Jersey Tuition Equality for America's Military (NJTEAM) Act, under which members of the military may qualify for in-state tuition.
The New Jersey Institute of Technology grants in-state tuition for citizens or permanent residents of any state who marry a New Jersey resident starting the term following the marriage. While qualifying for in-state tuition and being qualified as a resident for tuition purposes in New Jersey can be trickier in the Garden State than in other states, there's great news for New Jersey residents or those who have established legal domicile here, as programs like NJ Stars covers two-year tuition to eligible students who graduate in the top 15 percent of their high school class or Newark College Promise for students who live in public housing.
What are the best jobs to have in New Jersey? It depends on your personal goals, interests and education level, but one thing is certain: the state offers plenty of opportunity. As you explore your different options, take a look at the jobs that are most in demand in the Garden State. It might help you to decide which degree program to pursue at one of New Jersey's online colleges.
| Employment | Employment Growth | Median High School Salary | Median Bachelor's Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4,318,460 | 8.2% | $33,953 | $64,468 |
Barnabas Health and Meridian Health are among the largest employers in New Jersey, and many other medical centers, clinics and hospitals fall under the umbrella of these two companies. Other healthcare facilities in the area, such as AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, Hackensack University Medical Center and Robert Wood Johnson University, create a lot of demand for healthcare professionals in ambulatory healthcare services, hospitals, nursing and residential care facilities and beyond.
Another big industry in New Jersey is pharmaceuticals. Many medical professionals are employed by companies like Merck & Co. Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb and Johnson & Johnson. These large companies are part of the reason why New Jersey has the greatest concentration of scientists and engineers in the country. With the prevalence of healthcare, insurance carriers and social assistance are also prominent industries.
Though healthcare is a booming industry in New Jersey, there are other great options for employment as well. Financial services hold a strong place in New Jersey's economy, as do utilities companies, including those in the information and communications technology sector. In fact, New Jersey has the second-highest concentration of ICT workers in the nation. There are more than 5,000 information and tech companies based in the state.
*Industry rankings determined by annual mean wage, employment, projected growth and location quotient. Data is sourced from the BLS, 2019 dataset.
| Top Industries | Employment | Projected Growth | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambulatory healthcare services | 3,097,160 | 8% | $72,492 |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 3,323,550 | 8% | $71,074 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 3,645,720 | 8% | $67,937 |
| Utilities | 2,213,370 | 6% | $74,257 |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | 2,867,820 | 9% | $65,066 |
| Construction of buildings | 2,137,020 | 8% | $70,849 |
| Insurance carriers and related activities | 2,479,320 | 6% | $74,338 |
| Waste management and remediation services | 1,847,950 | 7% | $71,869 |
| Water transportation | 1,435,830 | 7% | $72,592 |
| Social assistance | 3,248,640 | 8% | $64,304 |
Let's take a closer look at some of the best careers to pursue in specific metro areas in New Jersey.
Atlantic City is home to New Jersey's top casinos and other attractions, so the city has need of architectural and engineering managers to build and maintain them. Computer and information scientists abound in the state, with many of them working in the casino industry. A strong law enforcement presence is required in this high-tourism area, so the Atlantic County Sheriff's Office needs to be well-staffed with police and sheriff's patrol officers in order to keep the area safe and secure.
The region's largest healthcare organization, AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, offers both primary and specialized care. Considering the prominence of the healthcare field in New Jersey, it's no surprise that RNs and nurse practitioners are also notably high demand jobs in Atlantic City.
| Best Careers | Minimum Education | Average Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | Doctoral or professional degree | $121,730 | 250 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | Bachelor's degree | $138,770 | 240 |
| Registered Nurses | Bachelor's degree | $82,460 | 3,260 |
| Nurse Practitioners | Master's degree | $129,830 | 200 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | High school diploma or equivalent | $81,740 | 820 |
*Career rankings determined by annual mean wage, employment, projected growth and location quotient. Data sourced from the BLS, 2019 dataset.
With easy access to Philadelphia and Wilmington, many pharmaceutical companies choose to base their operations in Camden. As a result, there is a strong demand for medical scientists and statisticians who can fill available jobs. Furthermore, it's common for healthcare professionals to turn to teaching later in their careers. With the many college campuses in the greater Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington area, it can be easy for medical professionals to transition into health specialties teaching positions, where they can pass down their skills and knowledge to the next generation.
Outside of healthcare, aerospace also has a firm foothold in the region, with Lockheed Martin leading the way among numerous aerospace and defense companies.
| Best Careers | Minimum Education | Average Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | Doctoral or professional degree | $118,360 | 6,300 |
| Lawyers | Doctoral or professional degree | $156,870 | 18,330 |
| Statisticians | Master's degree | $97,870 | 2,360 |
| Aerospace Engineers | Bachelor's degree | $116,920 | 3,040 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | Doctoral or professional degree | $104,510 | 9,790 |
*Career rankings determined by annual mean wage, employment, projected growth and location quotient. Data sourced from the BLS, 2019 dataset.