Our Research
This list features some of the best online schools in New Jersey. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. We included liberal arts colleges and research universities as well as small, midsize, and large institutions. Next, we compared this comprehensive list to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
To help guarantee that these programs meet a high standard of education, we only included programs that are accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). MSCHE consists of peer evaluators who are dedicated to encouraging academic growth to benefit society as a whole. It confirms the quality of schools by evaluating factors such as academic mission, institutional integrity, and student performance.
We evaluated each school on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for online students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Online College Programs That Might Interest You
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
The Top 50 Online Colleges in New Jersey
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Frequently Asked Questions: Online Colleges in New Jersey
Does New Jersey have good online colleges and universities?
Without a doubt. The state offers a wealth of online educational opportunities, such as Thomas Edison State University’s Online Associate in Applied Computer Studies and Rider University’s Online Bachelor’s in Allied Health Studies. After you graduate, you may want to consider staying in New Jersey to complete a master’s degree while you work in one of the state’s many growing fields. New Jersey is rich in online graduate school options, like Saint Peters University’s Online Master’s in Marketing Science and Seton Hall University’s Online Master’s in School Counseling.
That said, there are many excellent online college programs available in other states as well. If you’re open to attending a school that’s located in another state, check out our guide to the best accredited online colleges. In addition to showing you the top 30 options in the entire United States for remote learning, this guide offers expert advice on how to choose a college and complete the application process.
Do online college credits in New Jersey cost more than in-person classes?
The answer to this question depends on which college you attend. Some schools offer discounted rates for online courses, whereas others charge an additional fee for online courses to help cover the cost of software licenses, technical support, etc. New Jersey is a member of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) through the New England Board of Higher Education. This means that out-of-state students who live in a SARA-participating state can take online courses from New Jersey schools without incurring additional fees.
Why should you choose New Jersey for online higher education?
From affordable community colleges to private religious institutions to top public research universities, New Jersey offers something for every online college student. One option that stands out as a particularly appealing choice is Rowan University, which offers hundreds of online degree and certificate programs.
The Cost of Online College in New Jersey
How much does an online degree in New Jersey cost?
The cost of an online degree in New Jersey depends on which institution you attend as well as the type of degree that you decide to pursue. For example, undergraduate degrees are usually more affordable than graduate degrees. Also, you’ll probably find yourself paying more for a degree in a STEM field rather than the humanities.
Regardless of the cost per credit, you should also consider that you may be able to save money on indirect expenses, such as transportation and housing, by earning your college degree online.
To give you a sense of exactly how much you should expect to pay for your online education, we’ve listed the lowest and highest rates for earning an online bachelor’s degree in New Jersey below:
Most affordable online college in New Jersey: Kean University, $418 per credit
Most expensive online college in New Jersey: Berkeley College, $890 per credit
Source: Education Data Initiative
How long do you have to live in New Jersey to get in-state tuition rates?
Typically, you would be eligible for in-state tuition rates after you have lived in New Jersey for one year. Some groups, such as military veterans, tribal members, and graduate fellows, are entitled to in-state tuition rates without meeting this one-year requirement.
Who qualifies for reduced tuition costs in New Jersey?
In 2021, Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation funding the Garden State Guarantee, a program to reduce out-of-pocket costs for students and families from New Jersey. New Jersey residents who attend a public, in-state, four-year school and have an annual adjusted gross income of $65,000 and below pay $0 for tuition and fees during their third and fourth years of undergraduate study.
You are automatically considered for this funding when you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application, which allows NJ Dreamers enrolled in eligible New Jersey colleges and universities to apply for state financial aid.
College Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Grant Programs in New Jersey
If you don’t qualify for the Garden State Guarantee, there are many other sources of financial support available that can help you cover the cost of college. Some of these programs are based on income, whereas others are awarded based on factors such as demographics or academic merit. We’ve reviewed a few of the most prominent scholarship options for you below:
The Janet Logan Daily Foundation Scholarship
Named in memory of a New Jersey teacher who cultivated special bonds with students, this scholarship is given to graduating high school seniors annually. Applicants must have worked (for pay) an average of 30 hours per week during the summer since the age of 16, participated in at least one extracurricular activity, and have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
Who’s eligible? New Jersey residents who are high school seniors planning to attend a four-year college or university may apply. Recipients must continue to be employed part-time while in college and maintain at least a 2.5 GPA.
Contact information: [email protected] | 215-305-8794
NJCPA Scholarship Fund
The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants offers one-year scholarships to accounting students at New Jersey colleges who are currently in their second year of community college, a sophomore or junior year at a four-year school, or an incoming graduate student. Since 1960, the fund has supported more than 2,000 New Jersey students, totaling more than $7 million in awards.
Who’s eligible? In addition to the requirements above, applicants should have a 3.2 GPA. A personal essay and interview are part of the application process.
Contact information: [email protected] | 862-702-5641
NJ-GIVS
This state-funded program was started in 2013 and provides funding for women and minority students pursuing a certificate or degree program in a construction-related field. The funding can be used at one of 19 participating colleges and vocational schools in the state. Eligible programs of study include welding, engineering, architecture, and landscape design.
Who’s eligible? In addition to the criteria above, applicants must file a FAFSA, have an annual household income below $60,000, and males must show they have registered with the Selective Service System.
Contact information: [email protected] | 609-584-4480
Top 5 Fast-Growing Industries in New Jersey
If you still don’t know where you will attend college, it’s quite possible you don’t yet know what you will major in as well. In that case, one of the most important factors to consider is which industries are growing the fastest in New Jersey — this will make it easier to find a job, and higher demand should also help you earn a higher salary.
By consulting the U.S. Department of Labor’s Long-Term Employment Projections (2020–2030), we’ve determined that the following five careers have some of the highest projected growth rates in New Jersey:
Nurse Practitioners
NPs are advanced practice registered nurses who specialize in diagnosing and treating patients with an emphasis on preventative care and health education. They are quickly becoming many Americans’ preferred primary care professionals. NPs tend to be well-compensated; in New Jersey, they earn an average salary of $143,250.
- Growth: 61.3%
- Degree options: Master’s in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Science
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) support occupational therapists in their patient care, helping people regain the ability to carry out their daily activities. OTAs typically have at least an associate degree and earn an average yearly salary of $77,050 in New Jersey.
- Growth: 40.9%
- Degree options: Associate in Occupational Therapy Assistance
Information Security Analysts
Information security analysts monitor and manage an organization’s computer networks and systems. Specifically, information security analysts keep an organization’s data safe. As cybersecurity and information security become increasingly important in our digital world, security analysts are in high demand. They are also well-compensated, making an average annual salary of $129,330 in New Jersey.
- Growth: 29.5%
- Degree options: Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity, Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Bachelor’s in Engineering, Bachelor’s in Mathematics, Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering, Master’s in Cybersecurity, Master’s in Computer Science, Master’s in Engineering, Master’s in Mathematics, Master’s in Computer Engineering
Home Health and Personal Care Aides
As New Jersey’s population ages, the state is in increasing need of personal care aides to assist patients, often older adults or disabled people, with tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and bathing. In New Jersey, personal care aides make an average annual salary of $33,520.
- Growth: 29.1%
- Degree options: Certificate in Personal Care Aide, Associate in Medical Assisting
Speech-Language Pathologists
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) specialize in treating speech impediments and other issues that arise related to the mouth and throat area, including chewing and swallowing food. Demand for SLP services is expected to rise greatly in New Jersey and across the country, largely due to the aging population and prevalence of health issues such as stroke and Alzheimer’s, which can impair speech and eating skills. In New Jersey, SLPs make an average annual salary of $102,200.
- Growth: 26.7%
- Degree options: Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology