University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class, unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlight the best programs in New Jersey.

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New Jersey is a vibrant East Coast state situated near New York with many important industries and job opportunities. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the state has around 4.62 million workers in the labor force and a relatively low unemployment rate of 4.2% as of March 2022. Top industries in New Jersey include Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, which employs around 900,000 individuals; Professional & Business Services, which employs 711,500 people; and Education & Health Services; which employs 708,400 workers. The BLS has recorded a mean hourly wage of $32.27 and a median hourly wage of $23.17 across the state. The annual mean wage is $67,120 in the state, though certain professionals like marketing managers can expect to earn an annual mean wage of $179,320.


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Online Higher Education in New Jersey


New Jersey has several stand-out universities that students can choose from, including those with online education opportunities. Below are some Q&A’s that provide a quick overview.

  • How many distance learning students are enrolled in higher education in New Jersey?
    Overall, in New Jersey, there are around 411,000 students enrolled in universities and colleges in the state. Of that, around 346,000 are undergraduate students and nearly 65,000 are graduate students. Students who take courses online actually make up the majority of higher education students in New Jersey, with approximately 144,000 studying online exclusively and 111,000 taking some form of hybrid in-person and online learning.

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  • What is the average cost of tuition on campus compared to online in New Jersey?

    New Jersey has many public and private universities, so the average cost of tuition can differ dramatically depending on the type of school that a student chooses. At the undergraduate level, the average cost of tuition and fees for the 2021-2022 academic year for in-state residents is $8,858, while out-of-state students can expect to pay an average of $14,550 per year. Additionally, students can expect to pay an average of $2,580 for books and supplies.

    In general, tuition and fees for online colleges in New Jersey will be similar for in-person and distance learners, with schools like Rutgers quoting $550 per credit and an additional $300 fee per course or Saint Peter’s University, with $495 per credit. However, distance learners, particularly those who live at home, can save a good amount on living costs, with the average on-campus living in New Jersey totaling $12,717 for 2022.

  • How do I qualify for in-state tuition in New Jersey?
    Prospective students who have legally resided in New Jersey for 12 months before enrollment are eligible for in-state tuition rates.
  • What are the best online colleges in New Jersey?
    Many of New Jersey’s top institutions provide online college programs, offering increased flexibility for students seeking higher education. In particular, top programs include those offered by Rutgers University, Rowan University, Thomas Edison State University, Saint Peter’s University, and Fairleigh Dickinson University.
  • Can I study for my master’s degree online in New Jersey?
    Yes, there are many outstanding online master’s programs offered by New Jersey universities. Highly reputable schools like Rutgers, Montclair State University, Rowan University, Kean University, and New Jersey Institute of Technology all offer online master’s programs.

Our School Rankings Methodology


College rankings can be an important way for prospective students to gain an understanding of the school that they are seeking to attend. When crafting our ranking methodology, it was important to first consider only online programs for these online-focused lists. Afterward, data were collected only from the most reliable sources, which usually means unbiased government websites. Factors that weigh into a college’s rankings include its overall graduation rate and average post-graduation salary, which can help students gauge whether their educational investment can translate into a sound livelihood. Additionally, considerations like reputation and student-to-faculty ratio also factored into the ranking as important indicators about the type of interactions prospective students can expect with their peers and professors. Understanding the cost of tuition is also an important consideration for rankings, as it can help students and families gauge affordability.

Top 10 Best Online Associate & Community Colleges in New Jersey


1

Camden County College

Score: 66.68

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $4,056
    • Out-of-State: $4,056
  • Net Price: $2,957
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 72%
  • Graduation Rate: 22%
  • Total Enrollment: 7,770
  • Undergrad Students: 7,770
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $38,900
  • Student-to-faculty: 23:1
  • Camden County College
2

Berkeley College-Woodland Park

Score: 65.75

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $28,600
    • Out-of-State: $28,600
  • Net Price: $17,068
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 64%
  • Graduation Rate: 44%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,078
  • Undergrad Students: 1,944
  • Graduate Students: 134
  • Grads Salary: $35,900
  • Student-to-faculty: 14:1
  • Berkeley College-Woodland Park
3

Rowan College at Burlington County

Score: 63.93

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $5,376
    • Out-of-State: $6,936
  • Net Price: $6,650
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 68%
  • Graduation Rate: 29%
  • Total Enrollment: 6,180
  • Undergrad Students: 6,180
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $31,100
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • Rowan College at Burlington County
4

Union County College

Score: 62.15

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,500
    • Out-of-State: $9,500
  • Net Price: $7,399
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 67%
  • Graduation Rate: 35%
  • Total Enrollment: 7,796
  • Undergrad Students: 7,796
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $27,400
  • Student-to-faculty: 22:1
  • Union County College
5
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,056
    • Out-of-State: $9,806
  • Net Price: $8,962
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 68%
  • Graduation Rate: 29%
  • Total Enrollment: 9,896
  • Undergrad Students: 9,896
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $30,900
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • Brookdale Community College
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
6

Rowan College of South Jersey Gloucester

Score: 61.27

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $5,820
    • Out-of-State: $5,820
  • Net Price: $6,939
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 70%
  • Graduation Rate: 32%
  • Total Enrollment: 5,441
  • Undergrad Students: 5,441
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $28,900
  • Student-to-faculty: 24:1
  • Rowan College of South Jersey Gloucester
7

Ocean County College

Score: 60.81

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $5,122
    • Out-of-State: $6,850
  • Net Price: $11,676
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 64%
  • Graduation Rate: 40%
  • Total Enrollment: 7,186
  • Undergrad Students: 7,186
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $25,400
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • Ocean County College
8

Atlantic Cape Community College

Score: 55.73

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $6,063
    • Out-of-State: $7,263
  • Net Price: $10,465
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 68%
  • Graduation Rate: 23%
  • Total Enrollment: 4,278
  • Undergrad Students: 4,278
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $26,600
  • Student-to-faculty: 14:1
  • Atlantic Cape Community College
9

Passaic County Community College

Score: 55.48

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,590
    • Out-of-State: $9,690
  • Net Price: $6,811
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 67%
  • Graduation Rate: 13%
  • Total Enrollment: 5,119
  • Undergrad Students: 5,119
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $30,200
  • Student-to-faculty: 15:1
  • Passaic County Community College
10

Essex County College

Score: 53.86

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,318
    • Out-of-State: $9,318
  • Net Price: $4,999
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 61%
  • Graduation Rate: 17%
  • Total Enrollment: 6,466
  • Undergrad Students: 6,466
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $29,400
  • Student-to-faculty: 24:1
  • Essex County College

Top 20 Best Online Colleges in New Jersey


1
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $17,239
    • Out-of-State: $36,001
  • Net Price: $17,535
  • Acceptance Rate: 66%
  • Retention Rate: 92%
  • Graduation Rate: 84%
  • Total Enrollment: 50,637
  • Undergrad Students: 36,344
  • Graduate Students: 14,293
  • Grads Salary: $81,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 15:1
  • Rutgers University-New Brunswick
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
2
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $19,022
    • Out-of-State: $35,934
  • Net Price: $17,762
  • Acceptance Rate: 66%
  • Retention Rate: 89%
  • Graduation Rate: 74%
  • Total Enrollment: 12,332
  • Undergrad Students: 9,019
  • Graduate Students: 3,313
  • Grads Salary: $88,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 15:1
  • New Jersey Institute of Technology
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
3
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $16,586
    • Out-of-State: $35,348
  • Net Price: $16,578
  • Acceptance Rate: 74%
  • Retention Rate: 82%
  • Graduation Rate: 66%
  • Total Enrollment: 11,017
  • Undergrad Students: 7,511
  • Graduate Students: 3,506
  • Grads Salary: $82,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • Rutgers University-Newark
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
4
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $41,054
    • Out-of-State: $41,054
  • Net Price: $11,996
  • Acceptance Rate: 89%
  • Retention Rate: 78%
  • Graduation Rate: 60%
  • Total Enrollment: 3,430
  • Undergrad Students: 2,071
  • Graduate Students: 1,359
  • Grads Salary: $83,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 11:1
  • Saint Peter's University
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
5
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $17,079
    • Out-of-State: $35,841
  • Net Price: $14,151
  • Acceptance Rate: 77%
  • Retention Rate: 79%
  • Graduation Rate: 65%
  • Total Enrollment: 5,966
  • Undergrad Students: 4,185
  • Graduate Students: 1,781
  • Grads Salary: $75,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • Rutgers University-Camden
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
6

Felician University

Score: 77.13

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $37,830
    • Out-of-State: $37,830
  • Net Price: $15,743
  • Acceptance Rate: 89%
  • Retention Rate: 70%
  • Graduation Rate: 52%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,148
  • Undergrad Students: 1,746
  • Graduate Students: 402
  • Grads Salary: $81,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • Felician University
7

Rowan University

Score: 76.68

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $15,700
    • Out-of-State: $25,564
  • Net Price: $20,963
  • Acceptance Rate: 77%
  • Retention Rate: 85%
  • Graduation Rate: 68%
  • Total Enrollment: 19,535
  • Undergrad Students: 15,231
  • Graduate Students: 4,304
  • Grads Salary: $71,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • Rowan University
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
8

Kean University

Score: 76.38

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $13,426
    • Out-of-State: $21,076
  • Net Price: $10,747
  • Acceptance Rate: 83%
  • Retention Rate: 74%
  • Graduation Rate: 51%
  • Total Enrollment: 12,884
  • Undergrad Students: 10,845
  • Graduate Students: 2,039
  • Grads Salary: $71,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • Kean University
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
9
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $15,150
    • Out-of-State: $24,464
  • Net Price: $12,967
  • Acceptance Rate: 92%
  • Retention Rate: 71%
  • Graduation Rate: 56%
  • Total Enrollment: 9,070
  • Undergrad Students: 6,604
  • Graduate Students: 2,466
  • Grads Salary: $73,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 15:1
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
10

Rider University

Score: 75.58

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $38,900
    • Out-of-State: $38,900
  • Net Price: $26,388
  • Acceptance Rate: 84%
  • Retention Rate: 77%
  • Graduation Rate: 67%
  • Total Enrollment: 4,054
  • Undergrad Students: 3,169
  • Graduate Students: 885
  • Grads Salary: $79,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 10:1
  • Rider University
11
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $51,370
    • Out-of-State: $51,370
  • Net Price: $33,472
  • Acceptance Rate: 75%
  • Retention Rate: 83%
  • Graduation Rate: 72%
  • Total Enrollment: 9,623
  • Undergrad Students: 6,012
  • Graduate Students: 3,611
  • Grads Salary: $81,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 14:1
  • Seton Hall University
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
12

Centenary University

Score: 73.62

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $37,732
    • Out-of-State: $37,732
  • Net Price: $21,935
  • Acceptance Rate: 97%
  • Retention Rate: 76%
  • Graduation Rate: 62%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,498
  • Undergrad Students: 1,026
  • Graduate Students: 472
  • Grads Salary: $77,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • Centenary University
13

Georgian Court University

Score: 71.89

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $37,110
    • Out-of-State: $37,110
  • Net Price: $18,187
  • Acceptance Rate: 76%
  • Retention Rate: 72%
  • Graduation Rate: 54%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,962
  • Undergrad Students: 1,471
  • Graduate Students: 491
  • Grads Salary: $66,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 10:1
  • Georgian Court University
14

Caldwell University

Score: 71.25

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $39,450
    • Out-of-State: $39,450
  • Net Price: $20,612
  • Acceptance Rate: 66%
  • Retention Rate: 71%
  • Graduation Rate: 68%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,028
  • Undergrad Students: 1,605
  • Graduate Students: 423
  • Grads Salary: $57,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • Caldwell University
15

Saint Elizabeth University

Score: 70.87

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $35,942
    • Out-of-State: $35,942
  • Net Price: $21,689
  • Acceptance Rate: 72%
  • Retention Rate: 74%
  • Graduation Rate: 44%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,122
  • Undergrad Students: 737
  • Graduate Students: 385
  • Grads Salary: $74,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 11:1
  • Saint Elizabeth University
16
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $44,850
    • Out-of-State: $44,850
  • Net Price: $31,416
  • Acceptance Rate: 91%
  • Retention Rate: 79%
  • Graduation Rate: 68%
  • Total Enrollment: 5,027
  • Undergrad Students: 3,811
  • Graduate Students: 1,216
  • Grads Salary: $76,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 12:1
  • Monmouth University
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
17
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $13,971
    • Out-of-State: $24,888
  • Net Price: $19,252
  • Acceptance Rate: 90%
  • Retention Rate: 73%
  • Graduation Rate: 39%
  • Total Enrollment: 6,539
  • Undergrad Students: 4,895
  • Graduate Students: 1,644
  • Grads Salary: $76,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 15:1
  • New Jersey City University
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
18

Berkeley College-Woodland Park

Score: 66.5

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $28,600
    • Out-of-State: $28,600
  • Net Price: $17,068
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 64%
  • Graduation Rate: 44%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,078
  • Undergrad Students: 1,944
  • Graduate Students: 134
  • Grads Salary: $70,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 14:1
  • Berkeley College-Woodland Park
19
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $15,532
    • Out-of-State: $23,420
  • Net Price: $18,515
  • Acceptance Rate: 86%
  • Retention Rate: 78%
  • Graduation Rate: 76%
  • Total Enrollment: 9,080
  • Undergrad Students: 8,138
  • Graduate Students: 942
  • Grads Salary: N/A
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • Stockton University
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
20
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $6,638
    • Out-of-State: $8,598
  • Net Price: N/A
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: N/A
  • Graduation Rate: N/A
  • Total Enrollment: 8,248
  • Undergrad Students: 7,358
  • Graduate Students: 890
  • Grads Salary: $81,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 15:1
  • Thomas Edison State University
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings

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