Best Online Colleges in New Jersey for 2023

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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.
  • 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.

What are the Best Online Associate & Community College Programs in New Jersey?

Best Online Associates & Community Colleges In New Jersey badge
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Students may seek to complete an online associate degree before transferring to a four-year college to complete their bachelor’s, which is often a more affordable and flexible route to higher education. When looking to complete their associate degree, students should be careful to select accredited community colleges to ensure that their credits will be recognized for transfer to a university or by a potential employer.

Here, you’ll find plenty of information on all kinds of associate programs. These community colleges offer exactly what you’re looking for when it comes to online education. Now, check them out and find the best one for your situation.

Rowan College of South Jersey Gloucester
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
6,369		 Retention Rate:
62%		 Graduation Rate
34%		 Net Price
$6,417		 Grads Salary
$39,100
Rowan College at Burlington County
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
7,316		 Retention Rate:
65%		 Graduation Rate
28%		 Net Price
$6,827		 Grads Salary
$40,700
Union County College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
8,298		 Retention Rate:
64%		 Graduation Rate
35%		 Net Price
$5,965		 Grads Salary
$38,200
Strayer University
College Type
4-year, Private		 Student Population
2,504		 Undergrads
2,269		 Net Price
$17,681 		Grads Salary
$67,000
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Camden County College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
8,122		 Retention Rate:
60%		 Graduation Rate
21%		 Net Price
$5,726		 Grads Salary
$38,400
Brookdale Community College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
10,438		 Retention Rate:
66%		 Graduation Rate
29%		 Net Price
$8,893		 Grads Salary
$39,500
Ocean County College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
7,480		 Retention Rate:
69%		 Graduation Rate
38%		 Net Price
$13,205		 Grads Salary
$39,400
Berkeley College-Woodland Park
College Type
4-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit		 Student Population
2,625		 Retention Rate:
64%		 Graduation Rate
48%		 Net Price
$14,265		 Grads Salary
$39,600
Essex County College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
6,360		 Retention Rate:
51%		 Graduation Rate
11%		 Net Price
$6,445		 Grads Salary
$34,100
Passaic County Community College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
5,549		 Retention Rate:
62%		 Graduation Rate
17%		 Net Price
$8,720		 Grads Salary
$33,300
Atlantic Cape Community College
College Type
2-year, Public		 Student Population
4,464		 Graduation Rate
57%		 Retention Rate:
20%		 Net Price
$9,333		 Grads Salary
$32,200

What are the Best Online Universities & College Programs in New Jersey?

Best Online Colleges In New Jersey
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Students who are looking to attend an online college program in New Jersey will need to first look into the majors offered by the school to ensure that they can study an area they are passionate about. Looking into prospective school rankings can also help families understand the reputation, cost, and potential return on investment from attending a particular online college. Furthermore, students should make sure to attend an accredited program, which will signal to employers that their online degree is as rigorous as other in-person, accredited college programs.

On this list, you won’t find any schools or programs that aren’t accredited. Instead, you can comfortably compare school and program options without worrying that you’re missing something vital. Every one of these schools can provide you with the education you need to succeed. It’s up to you to decide which it will be.

Rutgers University-New Brunswick
College Type
4-year, Public		 Student Population
50,411		 Retention Rate:
93%		 Graduation Rate
84%		 Net Price
$17,835		 Grads Salary
$76,000
New Jersey Institute of Technology
College Type
4-year, Public		 Student Population
11,652		 Retention Rate:
89%		 Graduation Rate
70%		 Net Price
$18,328		 Grads Salary
$83,000
Rutgers University-Newark
College Type
4-year, Public		 Student Population
13,231		 Retention Rate:
87%		 Graduation Rate
65%		 Net Price
$13,832		 Grads Salary
$79,000
Saint Peter's University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Student Population
3,233		 Retention Rate:
75%		 Graduation Rate
55%		 Net Price
$16,487		 Grads Salary
$84,000
Rutgers University-Camden
College Type
4-year, Public		 Student Population
7,076		 Retention Rate:
85%		 Graduation Rate
65%		 Net Price
$15,381		 Grads Salary
$73,000
Centenary University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Student Population
1,629		 Retention Rate:
73%		 Graduation Rate
62%		 Net Price
$21,044		 Grads Salary
$73,000
Stockton University
College Type
4-year, Public		 Student Population
9,934		 Retention Rate:
85%		 Graduation Rate
74%		 Net Price
$20,526		 Grads Salary
$64,000
William Paterson University of New Jersey
College Type
4-year, Public		 Student Population
9,635		 Retention Rate:
90%		 Graduation Rate
56%		 Net Price
$17,090		 Grads Salary
$68,000
Seton Hall University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Student Population
9,814		 Retention Rate:
84%		 Graduation Rate
72%		 Net Price
$33,652		 Grads Salary
$78,000
Felician University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit		 Student Population
2,556		 Retention Rate:
79%		 Graduation Rate
54%		 Net Price
$17,825		 Grads Salary
$71,000
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