Online Colleges in New Jersey

Higher education is blooming in the Garden State and there are many online colleges in New Jersey to choose from.

New Jersey is home to numerous high-ranking colleges and universities, including Ivy League and prestigious options. It also offers some of the most generous financial aid programs in the nation. New Jersey is committed to becoming the country’s most educated state through various initiatives.

When looking to stay in your home state or looking to travel out of state New Jersey is full of educational opportunities, including various NJ online universities.

Online Colleges in New Jersey

Online programs make it easier for students to further their education without moving or sacrificing professional or personal commitments.

New Jersey online universities also make it possible for you to have a working schedule that fits your employment and lifestyle needs. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) showed that 34% of undergraduate students in New Jersey were enrolled fully in NJ online degrees programs.

An additional 27% were enrolled in a hybrid program, combining both online and on-campus courses. Today, nearly all of the state’s colleges and universities offer online programs, and more and more students are taking advantage of this convenient, flexible way to earn a degree.

As with online colleges in New Hampshire and online colleges in New Mexico, various schools in New Jersey also partner with Coursera to provide Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC), giving everyone access to courses at the state’s top schools.

Common Online Degrees in New Jersey

The degrees earned online in New Jersey reflect diversity in educational needs. New Jersey accredited online colleges offer degrees in many different subjects, ensuring potential students have the ability to study what they want.

Online universities in New Jersey may offer degrees in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and hard sciences. They may also offer degrees in applied and practical fields as well. Some of the most common online degrees in New Jersey include:

• Business Administration and Management: This degree teaches students core business concepts and prepares them for management positions in modern organizations.
• Nursing: This degree is meant for students who want to become nurses and seek education on the most up-to-date nursing methods and practices.
• Psychology: Thai degree teaches students the basic theories, foundations, and methods of the modern-day psychological field.
• Political Science: This degree educates students on the exploration of politics, both in American politics, international relations, comparative politics, and political theory.
• Marketing: This degree teaches students the fundamentals of marketing and advertising and how they are utilized to bring company messages to potential buyers.

These are not all the degrees offered by online universities in NJ. Research the schools you are interested in to see what online schools in New Jersey offer as majors.

Overview of Higher Education in New Jersey

New Jersey is home to 83 higher education institutions, according to a recent report by the NCES. Of the 83, 32 are public, 38 are non-profit private schools, and 13 are for-profit private schools.

The average in-state student would pay $13,963 per year to attend one of New Jersey’s public 4-year institutions, while out-of-state students will pay around $28,669. Both tuition rates are above the national average.

New Jersey is one of the best-educated states in the country, but to stay competitive and sustain the economy the state will need even more educated workers. Its campaign “65 by ’25: Many Paths, One Future,” aims to have nearly two-thirds of New Jersey residents complete some education or training beyond high school by 2025.

They will achieve this by focusing on career education, closing equity gaps, online schools in NJ, and enhancing partnerships between high schools and colleges and between two-year and four-year colleges.

Employment Outlook for College Graduates in New Jersey

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the most common jobs in New Jersey are office and administrative support occupations at 553,970 jobs. This is followed by transportation and material moving occupations at 428,160 jobs, sales jobs at 359,790, and educational instruction and library occupations at 267,670 jobs.

Employment in nonfarm wage and salary positions is growing in New Jersey. Nonfarm employment in New Jersey recently increased by 3,800. This means the seasonally adjusted employment in the state that month was 4,239,600.

Careers & Salaries in New Jersey

New Jersey is a state with diverse industries, which means that earning an online college degree in New Jersey may allow you to explore a wide variety of careers. The northeastern state is home to many financial services companies, software companies, educational institutions, and healthcare systems.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these are some of the careers available in New Jersey and their annual median salaries:

The BLS lists more professions located in New Jersey, many of which are growing. Additionally, New Jersey has a low unemployment rate, recently measured at 3.3%.

Benefits of an Online Degree in New Jersey

The ultimate arbiter of deciding whether or not earning an online degree in New Jersey is worth it is yourself. That being said, there are many variables you may want to consider:

• Job prospects: One of the biggest factors influencing your decision to earn an online degree in New Jersey will be your job prospects having that degree will bring you.
• Potential earnings: You may also want to consider whether the degree will earn you a higher-paying job than if you decided against earning the degree.

These are just some of the factors you may want to consider when deciding whether to pursue an online degree in New Jersey.

Should I Study in New Jersey?

Whether or not you should study in New Jersey depends on your personal preferences. However, there are some things you may want to consider when choosing online degrees in NJ:

• Geographic location: One of the biggest things you may want to consider is whether you like New Jersey as a place. If you don’t, this may be detrimental to studying in the state.
• Climate: You may want to consider what your climate preferences are and if New Jersey’s relatively moderate climatic conditions are right for you.
• Licensing and certifications: If you wish to enter into a profession that requires you to be licensed or certified, you may want to consider whether you want to in New Jersey.
• Cost of attendance: If you are an out-of-state student especially, then you might want to consider whether you want to pay out-of-state tuition by attending school in New Jersey.
• Cost of living: Depending on your circumstances, you may want to consider if the cost of living in New Jersey suits your budget.

Though these are not all the factors you should consider, taking these into consideration may help you make the right decision as to whether you should study in New Jersey.

Online Colleges of New Jersey Admissions Requirements

Each college in New Jersey will have different admissions requirements depending on their needs. However, between universities, there are some general things you can consider when applying:

• High school or GED transcript: Most colleges will ask you for your full and official high school or GED transcript to verify your record.
• Standardized test scores: Though this is becoming less common, some universities may still ask for standardized test scores, whether you take the SAT or the ACT.
• Personal statement: Some universities may ask you to write a short personal statement about what field you want to study and why you want to study in that particular school.

Ensuring that your application materials are fully completed is one of the best things you can do to enter an online college in New Jersey.

NJ Online Colleges Accreditation

Earning a degree from a regionally accredited college ensures that your education meets high-quality standards set forth by a regional accreditation agency.

Accreditation works for you by ensuring that your university follows certain best practices and procedures in terms of education. Accreditation affects many aspects of a university, including the disbursement of federal student aid, future employment opportunities, and federal funding for universities.

Earning a degree from a non-accredited university may negatively affect your chances of being accepted into a graduate degree program or your chances of employment. To ensure the program you are attending is accredited, it’s a good idea to visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

If you’re thinking about attending a college or university in New Jersey, it’s a good idea to start by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This will give you access to federal, state, and even private financial aid. The FAFSA becomes available every year on October 1st. It’s a good idea to fill it out as early as possible because much of the aid is given on a first-come, first-served basis.

Completing the FAFSA application is simple. You will just need to provide financial information for yourself and your parents (unless you’re considered “independent”). That data will be reviewed and used to determine how much and what kind of financial aid you qualify for.

The ideal forms of financial aid are grants and scholarships because neither has to be repaid. New Jersey residents have access to some of the most generous financial aid programs in the nation! Their programs include:

• New Jersey Tuition Aid Grant: For high school graduates who demonstrate financial need; Award may cover up to the full cost of tuition
• New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship (NJ STARS): For students who rank in the top 15% of their class at the end of either the junior or senior year of high school and achieve the required score on a college placement test; For full-time attendance at student’s home county college; Award covers the full cost of tuition
• New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship II (NJ STARS II): For successful NJ Stars scholars who transfer to a New Jersey 4-year public or private school for their bachelor’s degree; Must have earned an associate degree with a GPA of 3.25 or higher; Family income must be less than $250,000; Award covers the full cost of tuition

To learn more about New Jersey’s state-sponsored aid, visit the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) website, and set up a New Jersey Financial Aid Management System account to help you find and apply for state aid. And finally, make sure to connect with the financial aid office at the school you have chosen. They can tell you about any aid programs or scholarships that may be exclusive to the school.

New Jersey Online Education Resources

Prospective students looking at online schools in New Jersey may benefit by looking at some online resources:

• New Jersey Higher Education Partnership for Sustainability (NJHEPS): The NJHEPS was founded in 1999 to support New Jersey colleges with a focus on sustainability in universities.
• Edge: Edge is a non-profit organization that has partnered with over 300 education institutions in multiple states, including New Jersey, to deliver fiber optic networking.
• New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning (NJCTL): This nonprofit is dedicated to finding a solution to the STEM teacher shortage by providing active teacher training.

These are only some of the educational resources you may want to check out if you are planning to attend college online in New Jersey.

How Much Does It Cost to Go to an Online College in New Jersey?

The average in-state tuition cost to attend a public university in New Jersey is around $28,335. Out-of-state students were paying an average of $28,682 in tuition and required fees.

The numbers for private universities were much higher for in-state students. The average in-state tuition cost to attend a private university was $52,442. These are important numbers to consider when deciding to attend college online in New Jersey.

Tuition Breaks for Out-of-State Students

If you are a student that lives in a state other than New Jersey but want to take online classes from a university in New Jersey, then state reciprocity is an important concept to understand.

Reciprocity agreements between the states allow for colleges and universities to offer distance education without following specific regulations. The main vehicle for state reciprocity higher education agreements is the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA).

SARA draws up national standards for online degree programs. It is only open to accredited and federally recognized institutions. Currently, 49 states (except California), Puerto Rico, the District of Colombia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are party to SARA.

What Are in Demand Jobs in New Jersey?

Many jobs projected to grow in New Jersey may require you to have a college degree if you wish to pursue them. According to the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, these jobs have a high projected change over the next 10 years:

• Information security analyst: projected change of 22.4%
• Operations research analyst: projected change of 21.1%
• Market research analyst: projected change of 19.1%
• Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors: projected change of 18.3%
• Software developers: projected change of 16.6%

These jobs are all deemed by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development to have a minimum education level of a bachelor’s degree.

What Are the Highest Paying Jobs in New Jersey?

There are many different industries prominent in New Jersey. These industries may have open career paths for graduates of 4 year online colleges in NJ.

There may be opportunities available, for example, working as a manager in scientific research. Additional jobs may be found as a doctor or in other types of specialized manager roles. According to the BLS, these are the ten highest-earning careers in New Jersey by annual median salary.

Many of the high-earning jobs available in New Jersey may require the education that online schools in New Jersey may provide.

Best Online Colleges in New Jersey

Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.

Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report named Berkeley College one of the best online colleges in the country. Berkeley offers online degree programs designed to meet the scheduling needs of nontraditional and working students. Many of the programs are available entirely online. The school offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in fields like management and nursing.

Berkeley College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Caldwell University is dedicated to providing students with accessible and affordable graduate education through its online degree programs. All programs are offered entirely online. Courses are delivered in accelerated 7 or 8-week formats, and several start dates are offered throughout the year. Areas of study offered include higher education, business administration, and nursing in population health.

Caldwell University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Centenary University seeks to help working adults earn undergraduate and graduate degrees. Students can take classes fully online or in person. Most classes are offered in an accelerated, 8-week format. Degree options are flexible. Online programs offered include an associate in liberal arts, bachelor’s degrees in accounting and business, and a master’s in business.

Centenary University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Newsweek named DeVry University—Iselin one of the top colleges for online learning. Most programs are available fully online. Some have a hybrid onsite and online option. DeVry has classes starting every 8 weeks, and classes are delivered in an 8 week format. Undergraduate and graduate degrees are available in fields like engineering technology and health services.

DeVry University – Iselin is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Fairleigh Dickinson University was named number five in Money magazine’s list of colleges that add the most value. FDU offers online degree programs designed for students who don’t have time for an on-campus program. Courses are asynchronous. Students can choose from 20 undergraduate and graduate programs including a bachelor’s completion program and programs in fields such as animation, social work, and taxation.

Fairleigh Dickinson University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Felician University seeks to make it possible for working students with busy schedules to get their education. The program offers several programs, all of which are delivered in a hybrid of online and evening on-site courses. Students can earn an associate degree or choose from several bachelor’s degrees. Courses are delivered in an 8 week format. Areas of study offered include nursing and business.

Felician University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Students at Georgian Court University can choose from several online degrees. GCU strives to make its programs accessible and affordable. Most programs are offered entirely online. Many courses are asynchronous. Students with 60 or more undergraduate credits may complete their bachelor’s degree online at GCU. The school also offers master’s programs in fields like theology and administrative health.

Georgian Court University is accredited by The Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Newsweek named Kean University as one of America’s Top Online Colleges. Kean has also been ranked as one of the most affordable online programs. Students can earn bachelor’s or master’s degrees fully online at Kean University. The school’s online courses follow their regular semester schedule. Areas of study offered include entrepreneurship, biology, criminal justice, educational administration, and social work.

Kean University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Monmouth University offers over 50 completely online courses each semester for students who need flexibility in their schedules. Many courses are asynchronous. The school’s online courses use technology like slideshows, video conferencing, and recorded lectures to present new information. Monmouth students can currently earn a Master’s in Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis or a Doctorate in Nursing primarily online.

Monmouth University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

U.S. News & World Report named Montclair State University among the Best Online Graduate Programs in the country.

Montclair State offers a limited number of bachelor’s degrees and several master’s degrees that can be earned online. Many of these programs are fully online, while some have a limited residency. Online courses may be semester-based or 8 weeks long. Programs offered include an RN-to-BSN and a dance program.

Montclair State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

New Jersey City University offers online degree programs for students who need to earn their degrees while also meeting job and life commitments. The school aims to provide quality education at an affordable price. Students can earn a Bachelor’s in Fire Science online. Online graduate degrees are offered in educational technology, national security studies, and more.

New Jersey City University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Students at the New Jersey Institute of Technology can earn an accredited STEM degree online. Students can choose from completely online, hybrid, or virtual formats. NJIT offers 48 online programs for undergraduate or graduate degrees or professional certificates. Fields of study offered include business and information sciences, civil engineering, and transportation.

New Jersey Institute of Technology is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Rider University offers online degree programs designed to fit busy schedules. Students with prior credits may complete their bachelor’s degrees, or new students may earn their bachelor’s degrees entirely through Rider’s online program. The school also offers graduate degrees that can be earned completely online. Areas of study offered include allied health studies, athletic leadership, sacred music, and RN-to-BSN.

Rider University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Rowan University offers several learning options for nontraditional students who have other life and work commitments. Students may complete programs that are fully online or in a hybrid format. Rowan also offers evening classes. Many programs are delivered in an accelerated format. Students can earn undergraduate or graduate degrees online. Areas of study offered include psychology and finance.

Rowan University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Students wishing to further their education may earn an online degree through Rutgers University. U.S. News & World Report named Rutgers the top public university in New Jersey. The school offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs that can be completed entirely online and are designed to provide the same rigor as their on-campus programs. Areas of study offered include nursing and digital marketing.

Rutgers University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Saint Peter’s University understands that many students pursuing graduate degrees have work and life commitments to juggle with courses. The school strives to provide online students with a flexible but rigorous education. Online courses are 11 weeks long and taken in trimesters. The school offers masters and doctoral degrees in fields like organizational psychology and health science.

Saint Peter’s University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Seton Hall University is a Catholic-based school focused on helping students become well-prepared, ethical leaders in their fields. It offers online master’s and doctoral degree programs. Students have the option of completing courses asynchronously or attending classes in person or virtually. Areas of study offered include accounting and pediatric nurse practitioner.

Seton Hall is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Stockton University seeks to provide quality educational programs for students who want to earn graduate degrees while working or pursuing other life commitments.

Programs are available in a hybrid format or fully online. Stockton offers master’s, post-master’s, and graduate certificate programs. Areas of study offered include instructional technology, holocaust and genocide studies, and healthcare administration and leadership.

Stockton University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Thomas Edison State University is dedicated to providing nontraditional students with many options for earning or completing their degrees.

Most of the school’s programs can be completed entirely online. Courses are 12 weeks long, and students can choose between traditional online courses with class engagement or self-guided programs. TESU offers associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in fields like cybersecurity and history.

Thomas Edison State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

U.S. News & World Report named William Paterson University number 26 in Top Public Schools, Regional Universities North. The school offers online programs for students who need flexibility in their schedules. Students may choose from several undergraduate or graduate degree programs. Fields of study offered include information technology, education leadership, and public health.

William Paterson University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Getting Your College Degree in New Jersey Online

If you are curious about the possibility to earn a college degree from a New Jersey university online, you should be encouraged to begin your search.

There are many resources available on the internet to consider whether or not earning an online degree from a New Jersey college is worth it. You may also want to consider the cost-benefit of earning a degree online in New Jersey. The calculations may be different for you depending if you are an in-state or out-of-state student.

This is not to discourage you from exploring online universities in New Jersey. Instead, you should do your own thorough research and decide if earning a degree online is right for you.