For students who are in search of nonprofit online colleges and universities located in New Jersey, this list includes some of our favorite schools from the region. These New Jersey universities and colleges have been selected based upon the affordability of their tuition, and the amount and variety of programs available.
#1. Kean University
A public research university, Kean University was founded in 1855. Originally named the Newark Normal School, Kean University was established to provide training for teachers within the state of New Jersey. Operating as a teacher’s training school for over half a century, the school was renamed in 1913 to the New Jersey State Normal School. The school name was changed in response to the state of New Jersey taking control of the school and converting it into a public institution. In 1937, the school was renamed once again to the New Jersey State Teachers College. Having expanded its curriculum to offer college-level courses, the New Jersey State Teachers College began to attract even more students into its academic programs. After purchasing the Kean Estate in Union Township, the New Jersey State Teachers College began converting the land into a new campus and was fully relocated in 1958. With this relocation came a name change to Newark State College. To honor the Kean Family, the school was once again renamed to the Kean College of New Jersey in 1973 and once more to Kean University in 1997. Located in Union, New Jersey, Kean University is now home to a student body of over 16,000 students.
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Students at Kean University are offered a large selection of academic programs from which to enroll in at the institution. Currently, Kean University offers students almost fifty different undergraduate programs as well as nearly forty different graduate and doctoral programs. Many of these programs are also offered to students entirely online. By offering these programs online Kean University has earned a place among our top online universities and colleges in New Jersey. Kean University is a public institution.
Accreditation: Kean University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Tuition: $471/credit
Click here for a list of Kean University’s online programs.
#2. Rutgers University-New Brunswick
The oldest Rutgers University campus, Rutgers University-New Brunswick was founded in 1766. Chartered prior to the forming of the United States, Rutgers University-New Brunswick was founded as the Queen’s College to honor King George III’s Queen. Developed to provide education to those who live in the New Jersey colony, the Queen’s College began providing education to the people of the state. The Queen’s College closed and reopened twice prior to it being renamed to Rutgers College in 1825. Named to honor the Revolutionary War hero Colonel Henry Rutgers, Rutgers College believed that Colonel Henry Rutgers embodied all the values that the school was to stand for. In 1864, Rutgers College became a recipient of federal aid through the Morrill Act. The school was renamed to Rutgers University in 1924. Just over twenty years later, Rutgers University was given the distinction of being the State University of New Jersey by the New Jersey Legislature. Rutgers University opened additional campuses across the state but Rutgers University-New Brunswick remains the flagship campus. Today, Rutgers University-New Brunswick is home to a student body of over 40,000 students.
Rutgers University-New Brunswick maintains a large selection of academic programs for students to enroll in. At this time, Rutgers University-New Brunswick is offering students hundreds of different programs across the school’s undergraduate and graduate programs. Today, Rutgers University-New Brunswick offers many of its programs to students entirely online. Through their commitment to online education, Rutgers University-New Brunswick has earned a place among our top online universities and colleges in New Jersey. Rutgers University-New Brunswick is a public institution.
Accreditation: Rutgers University-New Brunswick is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Tuition: $550/credit
Click here for a list of Rutgers University-New Brunswick’s online programs.
#3. Rider University
Located in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, Rider University is one of the state’s premier private universities. Founded in 1865, Rider University was established as The Trenton Business College. Founded by the operators of the Bryand and Stratton chain of private business school, The Trenton Business College provided students with an education in business. Andrew J Rider, a local entrepreneur, was designated as the first president of the institution. In 1896, the school was renamed to The Rider Business College in recognition of Andrew J Rider. Over twenty years later, the school was renamed to Rider College. The curriculum at Rider College was now markedly different than the curriculum of the original school. Now offering Bachelor’s programs to students, Rider College experienced a surge in enrollment. As more students began to enroll at the school, Rider College was able to grow and expand. Steadily adding more academic programs to its course offerings, Rider College was eventually renamed to Rider University in 1994. Today, Rider University is home to a student body of approximately 5,400 students.
Home of the Broncs, Rider University maintains a large selection of academic programs for students to choose from. Currently, students at Rider University can choose from over sixty-five different undergraduate programs as well as several graduate programs. Rider University offers many of its programs online for students. By offering these programs online, Rider University has earned a place among our top online universities and colleges in New Jersey. Rider University is a private institution.
Accreditation: Rider University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Tuition: $650/credit
Click here for a list of Rider University’s online programs.
#4. Montclair State University
A public research university, Montclair State University is located in Montclair, New Jersey. Founded in 1908, Montclair State University was originally known as the New Jersey State Normal School at Montclair. Founded as part of New Jersey’s initiative to create more teacher training facilities, the New Jersey State Normal School at Montclair provided education to those interested in becoming teachers within the state. By 1924, the curriculum at Montclair State University had expanded to offering students full undergraduate degree programs. With this change in academic offerings came a name change to Montclair State Teachers College. By adding undergraduate programs into their curriculum, the Montclair State Teachers College was able to attract even more students. In 1958, it was decided that the nearby Panzer College of Physical Education and Hygiene would merge with Montclair State Teachers College. This merger resulted in the creation of Montclair State College. The school was renamed once more to its current name, Montclair State University, in 1994. Today, Montclair State University is home to a student body of over 21,000 students.
Students at Montclair State University are able to choose from over a wide selection of academic programs available at the institution. Currently, students at Montclair State University are able to choose from over 300 different programs offered across the school’s undergraduate and graduate offerings. A large selection of these programs are also offered to students entirely online, earning Montclair State University a place among our top online universities and colleges in New Jersey. Montclair State University is a public institution.
Accreditation: Montclair State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Tuition: $685/credit
Click here for a list of Montclair State University’s online programs.
#5. New Jersey City University
Founded with the motto “Enter to Learn, Exit to Serve”, New Jersey City University is a public university. Established in 1929, New Jersey City University was founded as the New Jersey State Normal School at Jersey City. Built to provide training to teachers that would eventually go to work within the public education system within the state, the New Jersey State Normal School at Jersey City was renamed in 1935 to New Jersey State Teachers College at Jersey City. This change was prompted by the addition of Bachelor’s programs to the school’s curriculum. In 1958, the school was renamed to Jersey City State College due to an expansion in the number of undergraduate programs offered at the school. Over the course of the next three decades, the Jersey City State College continued to attract more students into its program while steadily increasing the amount and type of programs made available at the institution. In 1998, it was decided that Jersey City State College would be renamed to New Jersey City University. Located in Jersey City, New Jersey City University now enrolls a student body of over 9,000 students.
Students at New Jersey City University are offered a wide array of academic programs from which to choose from. Currently, New Jersey City University offers over forty different undergraduate programs as well as nearly thirty different graduate degree programs. New Jersey City University offers many of their programs entirely online to students. Through this commitment to online education, New Jersey City University has earned a place among our top online colleges and universities in New Jersey. New Jersey City University is a public institution.
Accreditation: New Jersey City University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Tuition: $713/credit
Click here for a list of New Jersey City University’s online programs.
#6. Caldwell University
Located in Caldwell, New Jersey, Caldwell University is a private Catholic university. Founded by the Sisters of Saint Dominic as led by Mother M. Joseph Dunn, Caldwell University was established in 1939. Originally known as Caldwell College, Caldwell University initially was a women’s college. In 1974, Caldwell College became a pioneer in external degree programs within the state of New Jersey. One of the few institutions to offer an external degree program in New Jersey, Caldwell College showed an early commitment to nontraditional education from its early history. Caldwell College became a coeducational institution in 1985. With twice the amount of potential students, Caldwell College continued to expand as its enrollment numbers rose. In 1992, Caldwell College began to offer its first set of graduate programs to students. Over two decades later, Caldwell College was renamed to its current name: Caldwell University. Now offering a wide variety of different academic programs, Caldwell University has made a name for itself among the colleges and universities of New Jersey. Today, Caldwell University is home to a student body of approximately 2,200.
Caldwell University offers a large selection of academic programs for its student body. At this moment, Caldwell University provides twenty-five different undergraduate programs as well as thirty graduate programs. Caldwell University offers many of its undergraduate and graduate offerings to students entirely online. With this commitment to online learning, Caldwell University has ranked among our top online universities and colleges in New Jersey.
Accreditation: Caldwell University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Tuition: $715/credit
Click here for a list of Caldwell University’s online programs.
#7. College of Saint Elizabeth
Founded in 1899, the College of Saint Elizabeth is a private Roman Catholic college. Located in Morris Township, the College of Saint Elizabeth was founded by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth. Created to help provide the women of New Jersey with a higher education, the College of Saint Elizabeth was one of the first Catholic colleges to grant degrees to women in the United States. Operating as a women’s only college for over a century, it was decided in 2015 that men would be admitted to the traditional day programs at the College of Saint Elizabeth in 2015. The school is named after Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first native-born citizen of the United States to ever be canonized as a saint. Recognized for her work in leading the Sisters of Charity in their efforts to found the College of Saint Elizabeth, Elizabeth Ann Seton remains to be an integral part of the history of the College of Saint Elizabeth. Today, the College of Saint Elizabeth is primarily located in Morris Township with additional campuses in Florham Park. Home of the Eagles, the College of Saint Elizabeth enrolls a student body of approximately 1,200 students.
Students at the College of Saint Elizabeth are offered a sizable selection of academic programs at the school. Currently, the College of Saint Elizabeth offers over twenty different undergraduate programs as well as almost fifteen different Master’s degrees and three doctoral programs. Offering many of these programs to students online, the College of Saint Elizabeth has earned a place among our top online universities and colleges in New Jersey. College of Saint Elizabeth is a private institution.
Accreditation: College of Saint Elizabeth is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Tuition: $878/credit
Click here for a list of College of Saint Elizabeth’s online programs.
#8. Saint Peter’s University
A private Roman Catholic college, Saint Peter’s University is located in Jersey City, New Jersey. Founded with the motto “For the Greater Glory of God”, Saint Peter’s University was officially established in 1872. Originally named the St. Peter’s Preparatory School, Saint Peter’s University operated until 1918 at which point it was forced to temporarily close due to World War I. It wasn’t until another eighteen years would pass until Saint Peter’s University would be able to reopen. Admitting students again in 1930, Saint Peter’s University soon moved to its current location in another part of Jersey City. In 1936, Saint Peter’s University integrated its programs and enrolled their first black student. Thirty years later, Saint Peter’s University began enrolling female students into its programs. Now enrolling a much larger base of students, Saint Peter’s University began experiencing a period of growth as more and more students enrolled at the school. This prompted Saint Peter’s University to open satellite campuses in nearby suburban areas. Today, Saint Peter’s University is home to a student body of just over 3,500 students known as the Peacocks.
Saint Peter’s University offers its students a large selection of academic programs from which to enroll in. Currently, students at Saint Peter’s University can choose from nearly fifty undergraduate programs as well as almost a dozen different graduate programs. Saint Peter’s University offers many of these programs to students entirely online making Saint Peter’s University one of the top online universities in New Jersey. Saint Peter’s University is a private institution.
Accreditation: Saint Peter’s University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Tuition: $969/credit
Click here for a list of Saint Peter’s University’s online programs.
#9. Felician University
Located in Lodi and Rutherford, Felician University is a private Roman Catholic university. Founded in 1923, Felician University was founded by the Felician Sisters of Lodi, New Jersey. Originally known as the Immaculate Conception Normal School, Felician University initially provided training for teachers. In 1935, the Immaculate Conception Normal School was granted the status of being a teacher training college. Operating in this capacity for six years, the school was then renamed to the Immaculate Conception Junior College. Offering students associate’s degrees, the school then began to offer entire four-year programs in 1967 prompting the school to be renamed to Felician College. By offering undergraduate programs, Felician College began to attract a much larger number of students to its academic programs. During this period of time, Felician College added more academic programs to its curriculum while expanding its student body. In 2015, Felician College was renamed to Felician University after adding a large number of graduate degrees to its academic offerings. Home of the Golden Falcons, Felician University is now home to a student body of over 2,000 students.
With the motto “Truth is Happiness”, Felician University offers a wide range of academic programs to its student body. Students at Felician University are able to enroll in over fifty different undergraduate programs as well as a few dozen different graduate programs. Felician University offers a selection of these programs entirely online. By offering these programs online Felician University has earned a place among our top online universities and colleges in New Jersey. Felician University is a private institution.
Accreditation: Felician University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Tuition: $1,055/credit
Click here for a list of Felician University’s online programs.
#10. Monmouth University
Established in 1933, Monmouth University is a private university. Located in West Long Branch, Monmouth University was founded as Monmouth Junior College. Initially only providing students with Associate’s degrees, Monmouth Junior College soon added full undergraduate degree programs to its course selection. By 1956, the school was renamed from Monmouth Junior College to Monmouth College in order to better reflect the type of programs found at the college. With the addition of these undergraduate programs, Monmouth College quickly grew its student body. With the addition of more students, a demand for graduate-level programs grew. Eventually adding graduate-level programs to its curriculum, Monmouth College was renamed in 1996 to Monmouth University. Offering a full selection of undergraduate and graduate experiences to students, Monmouth University continued to grow into the 21st century. Home of the Hawks, Monmouth University continues to operate its main campus from West Long Branch, New Jersey and is home to a student body of approximately 6,500 students.
Students at Monmouth University are afforded the opportunity to enroll in a wide selection of academic programs made available to students at the institution. Currently, students at Monmouth University are able to choose from approximately two dozen different undergraduate programs as well as over a dozen graduate programs. Many of these programs are also offered to students entirely online. By offering these programs online, Monmouth University has ranked among our top online universities and colleges in New Jersey. Monmouth University is a private institution.
Accreditation: Monmouth University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Tuition: $1,084/credit
Click here for a list of Monmouth University’s online programs.
#11. Fairleigh Dickinson University
A private university, Fairleigh Dickinson University is located in Teaneck and Madison, New Jersey. With the motto “Strongly and Gently”, Fairleigh Dickinson University was first established in 1942. The first American university to own and operate an international campus, Fairleigh Dickinson University was originally established as a junior college. Named after the school’s earliest benefactor, Colonel Fairleigh S. Dickinson, Fairleigh Dickinson University was originally named Fairleigh Dickinson Junior College. Located in Rutherford, New Jersey, Fairleigh Dickinson Junior College began offering four-year degree programs in 1949 prompting the school to be renamed to Fairleigh Dickinson College. Capitalizing on the GI Bill, the undergraduate program at Fairleigh Dickinson College proved to be quite popular. In 1958, Fairleigh Dickinson College acquired what is now its current campus and was renamed to its current name of Fairleigh Dickinson University. Offering a full array of college programs, Fairleigh Dickinson University continued to grow its student body. Today, Fairleigh Dickinson University enrolls a student body of over 12,000 students.
Home of the Knights, Fairleigh Dickinson University offers students a large selection of academic programs to choose from. Currently, students can enroll in over 100 different undergraduate and graduate programs available at the school. Of these programs, a large selection of them are made available to students entirely online. Through this online offering, Fairleigh Dickinson University has earned a place among our top online universities and colleges in New Jersey. Fairleigh Dickinson University is a private institution.
Accreditation: Fairleigh Dickinson University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Tuition: $1,161/credit
Click here for a list of Fairleigh Dickinson University’s online programs.
#12. Seton Hall University
A private Roman Catholic university, Seton Hall University was first established in 1856. Originally known as Seton Hall College, Seton Hall University was established by Bishop James Roosevelt Bayley. The school was named after Bishop James Roosevelt Bayley’s aunt, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. Initially enrolling only five students, the school grew quickly over the course of the 19th century. Despite several fires that damaged the campus, Seton Hall College continued to attract more and more students while also expanding its academic offerings. By 1950 the school was reorganized as a university and was renamed to Seton Hall University. Eighteen years later, Seton Hall University began enrolling women into its academic program. By expanding its enrollment to all students, Seton Hall University’s growth accelerated towards the end of the 20th century. In 1954, Seton Hall University opened the Seton Hall College of Medicine and Dentistry, marking the first medical and dental school to be opened in the state of New Jersey. Today, Seton Hall University enrolls a student body of 10,500 students at its campus in South Orange, New Jersey.
Home of the Pirates, Seton Hall University offers its students a wide variety of academic programs. Across Seton Hall University’s undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate offerings, students can choose from over seventy different academic programs. Many of these programs are also offered to students entirely online helping Seton Hall University to rank among our top online universities and colleges in New Jersey. Seton Hall University is a private institution.
Accreditation: Seton Hall University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Tuition: $1,220/credit
Click here for a list of Seton Hall University’s online programs.
#13. New Jersey Institute of Technology
Founded in 1881, the New Jersey Institute of Technology is a public research university. Located in a neighborhood of Newark called University Heights, New Jersey Institute of Technology was founded as the Newark Technical School. Calling for the creation of a trade school within the city of Newark, the Newark Board of Trade worked together with the Newark City Council in order to raise funding for the creation of a new technical institute. Through fundraising efforts, the Newark Board of Trade and the Newark City Council were able to continuously raise funds that were funneled into the growth of Newark Technical School. Slowly expanding the scope of its academic programming, the Newark Technical School was eventually renamed to the Newark College of Engineering. Offering more traditional college programs, the Newark College of Engineering was able to attract more students with its newly expanded curriculum. Adding the New Jersey School of Architecture to its colleges in 1973, the Newark College of Engineering had expanded beyond being just a technological university. Because of this expansion in programming, the Newark College of Engineering was renamed to the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Today, the New Jersey Institute of Technology is home to a student body of approximately 11,500 students.
Home of the Highlanders, the New Jersey Institute of Technology maintains an expansive selection of degree programs for its student body. Currently, students at the New Jersey Institute of Technology can choose to enroll in over fifty different undergraduate programs as well as 65 different graduate degree programs. The New Jersey Institute of Technology offers a selection of these programs online, earning its place among the top online universities and colleges in New Jersey. New Jersey Institute of Technology is a public institution.
Accreditation: New Jersey Institute of Technology is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Tuition: $1,248/credit
Click here for a list of New Jersey Institute of Technology’s online programs.
#14. Stevens Institute of Technology
A private research university, Stevens Institute of Technology is located in Hoboken, New Jersey. Founded in 1870, Stevens Institute of Technology’s motto is “Through adversity to the stars”. Originally established by Edwin Augustus Stevens, the Stevens Institute of Technology honors Edwin Augustus Stevens and his family’s history as prolific engineers and inventors. Initially dedicated to mechanical engineering, the Stevens Institute of Technology was one of the first universities within New Jersey to follow the polytechnic model of teaching. By the end of the 19th century, Stevens Institute of Technology had already begun to offer students the ability to earn doctorate degrees. During World War II, the Stevens Institute of Technology played a crucial role in the war efforts. The school became part of the V-12 Navy College Training Program which worked to train students to enter into the Naval forces. Throughout the 20th century, Stevens Institute of Technology worked to bolster its academic offerings by adding more to both its undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Today, Stevens Institute of Technology is home to the Ducks, a student body with over 6,000 students.
Stevens Institute of Technology offers its students a wide variety of academic programs from which to enroll in. As of this time, Stevens Institute of Technology offers almost thirty undergraduate degrees, over twenty doctorate programs, and over forty different Master’s degrees. Of these programs, Stevens Institute of Technology offers a large selection of them online. Due to this large online selection of courses, Stevens Institute has ranked among our top online universities and colleges in New Jersey. Stevens Institute of Technology is a private institution.
Accreditation: Stevens Insitute of Technology is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Tuition: $1,679/credit
Click here for a list of Stevens Institute of Technology’s online programs.
#15. Princeton University
With the motto “Under God’s Power She Flourishes”, Princeton University was founded in 1746. A private Ivy League university, Princeton University was originally founded as the College of New Jersey. The fourth-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and one of only nine institutions chartered before the American Revolution, Princeton University was originally located in Elizabeth, New Jersey. In 1747, the school was relocated to Newark and then to its current location in Princeton nine years later. Known as the College of New Jersey for over a century, the school was renamed to Princeton University in 1896. Over the years, Princeton University has gained a strong reputation for the quality of its educational programs. Originally only admitting men, Princeton University became a coeducational institution in 1969. This decision to open the school to female students helped to usher in a new age of academic excellence at the school with alumni that include First Lady Michelle Obama and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Today, Princeton University is home to a student body of over 8,000 students.
Students at Princeton University are able to choose from a large selection of academic programs offered at Princeton University. Currently, students at Princeton University can enroll in hundreds of academic programs across Princeton’s undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate offerings. Princeton University offers many of these programs to its students entirely online. By offering these programs online, Princeton University has earned a place among our top online universities and colleges in New Jersey. Princeton University is a private institution.
Accreditation: Princeton University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Tuition: $2,881/credit
Click here for a list of Princeton University’s online programs.
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