Best Online Colleges in New Jersey
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New Jersey is home to dozens of colleges and universities, most of which are strategically located near major metropolitan centers like New York. And with many of these New Jersey colleges offering online programs, you can tap into an exceptional education regardless of your location.
Whether you're looking to enroll in a bachelor's or master's program, or are interested in earning your associate degree at an online community college, there are many online colleges in New Jersey you can choose from.
Keep reading to learn about some of the top online colleges in the Garden State.
Featured Online Bachelor's Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Colleges in New Jersey
We use trusted sources like
Peterson's Data
and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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Rutgers University-New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $441
Out-of-State | $1,054
Credits to Graduate: 120
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, is part of the U.S.'s eighth-oldest higher learning institution, dating back to 1771. It's also a member of the Big Ten Conference. Rutgers is often regarded as the top public university in New Jersey.
The university offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs that can be completed totally online, with the same quality and faculty as in-person programs. Certificate programs and individual courses can also be completed in an online format.
ROI Value Score: High
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $424
Out-of-State | $424
Credits to Graduate: 120
Rowan University was founded in 1923 as a teaching college. Since then, it's evolved into a larger institution with approximately 18,000 students. It offers 74 bachelor's degrees, 51 master's degrees, and four doctoral degrees, along with a range of certificates.
Rowan University offers online programs through its Rowan Global school. These programs are online, accelerated, or held in the evenings and include high-demand degrees in education, nursing, engineering, and management. Some programs may be fully online, while others involve hybrid coursework.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Rider University
Lawrenceville, NJ - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $1,255
Out-of-State | $1,255
Credits to Graduate: 120
Rider University was founded as a private business college in 1865. But today, it offers many programs through its various colleges to suit the unique needs of its students. Rider has over 90 academic majors and minors to choose from.
Among its many programs is its Lifting Barriers initiative, which helps students forge a path to success through financial aid packages and academic and career support. Rider offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs that can be completed totally online for convenience.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Saint Peter's University
Jersey City, NJ - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $1,330
Out-of-State | $1,330
Credits to Graduate: 120
Saint Peter's University is the only university in New Jersey that provides a Jesuit-based education and one of 27 in the country. It offers over 50 undergraduate programs and 13 graduate programs. It's only a 12-minute train ride from downtown Manhattan. Over 3,500 students are enrolled at the university, and it has a 12-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio.
Saint Peter's has an entire department committed to developing and managing its online programs. They currently offer several online graduate programs and one doctoral program in higher education.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
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Our rankings are grounded in a few guiding principles and use the latest statistical data available from trusted sources. Read our ranking methodology. We hope our approach helps you find the school that is best for you.
Cost of College in New Jersey
While tuition costs will vary depending on where you attend and your residency status, the average tuition costs in New Jersey were a bit more than the national average tuition costs in 2021-2022.
For in-state students at public universities, the national average tuition cost was $9,596, while New Jersey's average was $14,861. For out-of-state students, the national average public university tuition was $27,457, and the New Jersey average was $29,681.
| Institution Type | Average Tuition & Required Fees |
|---|---|
| Public Four-Year (In-State) | $14,184 |
| Public Four-Year (Out-of-State) | $29,681 |
| Private Four-Year | $39,094 |
| Public Two-Year (In-State) | $4,919 |
| Public Two-Year (Out-of-State) | $8,148 |
10 Fast-Growing Jobs in New Jersey
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a wide variety of careers in New Jersey are projected to grow significantly by 2032.
Nurse practitioner jobs are projected to grow an astounding 38% between 2022 and 2032, and offer substantial six-figure salaries. Jobs within the sciences and technology are also projected to grow, with roles for data scientists, information security analysts, statisticians, and web developers all ranking high.
If you're interested in pursuing one of these fast-growing careers, consider choosing an online college in NJ that offers a relevant degree.
Note: Wages with an asterisk symbol in the table below denote average wage data.
| Job | Job Growth 2021-2031 | Median U.S. Annual Wage 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioners | 38% | $121,610 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, And Ticket Takers | 40.5% | $26,390* |
| Cooks, Restaurant | 36.6% | $36,060* |
| Data Scientists | 35.8% | $119,040* |
| Athletes And Sports Competitors | 35.7% | $94,270 |
| Information Security Analysts | 34.7% | $112,000 |
| Statisticians | 32.7% | $109,190* |
| Web Developers | 30.3% | $95,570* |
| Animal Caretakers | 29.9% | $33,530* |
| Choreographers | 29.7% | $59,090* |
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges in New Jersey
What is the cheapest online college in New Jersey?
Kean University and William Paterson University of New Jersey are some of the most affordable online colleges in New Jersey, with a student population of at least 1,000. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Kean University's in-state tuition fee was $13,426 for the 2023-2024 school year.
How many online colleges are in New Jersey?
New Jersey is home to 54 colleges and universities offering associate through doctoral degrees, many of which offer online programming. Some may offer full degrees, while others may provide only a selection of classes.
Can you go to college for free in New Jersey?
The New Jersey College Promise program offers free tuition for students whose annual adjusted gross income (AGI) sits below $65,000 and offers a reduced rate for those with AGI between 65,001 and $80,000 annually. You can also apply to the FAFSA and see what your financial aid options are.
What is the easiest online college to get into in New Jersey?
With a 92% admission acceptance rate, William Paterson University has the highest admittance rate of public universities. Meanwhile, Centenary University, a private institution, maintains a 98% admittance rate.
What is the #1 college in New Jersey?
Princeton University is widely recognized as the best college in New Jersey. Princeton is an Ivy League school known for its prestige, decades of history, elite social clubs, and illustrious alumni.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed April 9, 2024.
