Online and On-Campus Colleges in NEW JERSEY

New Brunswick is home to the flagship campus of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. It was chartered as Queens College in 1766 and now has 250 years of educational experience under its belt. It's a leading research institution and encompasses 17 colleges and schools that represent every field of study and types of degree programs.

Rutgers University-New Brunswick is considered a powerhouse both in the classroom and on the athletic field. As a leading research institution, it is one of 14 schools that are part of the Big Ten Academic Alliance. On the field, its sports teams participate in the Big Ten Conference, ideal for athletes and sports fans alike looking to enroll in a degree program at the school.

More than 50,000 students enroll annually in accredited campus and online learning programs offered by Rutgers University-New Brunswick. More than three-fourths receive financial aid to reduce their cost of education.

Located in Newark, New Jersey Institute of Technology is another of the state's research universities. The school has been in existence since 1885 when it welcomed its first students who were pursuing an "industrial education."

As technology has changed, so too has NJIT. It now offers nearly 130 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in diverse fields ranging from computer science to theatre arts and technology, with online courses offered throughout. However, engineering technology remains one of the most popular degrees awarded by the school.

New Jersey Institute of Technology has a diverse student body and has been recognized as a leader in awarding engineering degrees to minority students. The school is also home to the Enterprise Development Center, the largest high technology and life sciences business incubator in the state.

The Stevens Institute of Technology invites students to come and create their own future. With a campus in Hoboken and just minutes from New York City, the institute offers not only quality academics but a dynamic learning environment.

Stevens was founded in 1870, and technological innovation has been a hallmark of the school right from the very beginning. The degree programs delivered in its four colleges and schools offer online courses and a unique curriculum that blends technical training with real-world experience. The school notes many of its graduates see a high ROI -- return on investment -- when it comes to the income they earn as compared to the tuition they spent.

Small class sizes and a strong retention rate are two more reasons Stevens Institute of Technology makes the list of top New Jersey schools.

Not all the top universities in New Jersey are public institutions. Seton Hall University, a leading Catholic institution, also makes the list. Founded in 1856, the school operates under the Archdiocese of Newark and is one of the oldest diocesan universities in the country.

Seton Hall University has ten colleges and schools. These include higher education mainstays such arts and sciences, business and law as well as less common schools of diplomacy and international relations and theology.

Students living on or near the South Orange campus have access to the Greek life, more than 130 student organizations and two dozen intramural and club sports teams. SHU provides nearly $100 million in financial aid each year, and virtually all students receive some tuition assistance when working on their degree programs.

As another of the best universities in New Jersey, Rowan University offers diverse degree programs. Students looking for a traditional college experience can earn an undergraduate or graduate degree on campus. Those who need more flexibility can earn an online graduate degree or enroll in one of the school's online undergraduate completion programs or other online courses.

Rowan University was founded in 1923 to prepare future teachers. However, it has grown into a regional university that includes 13 colleges and schools in addition to a global learning division. The university has set a goal for itself to be inclusive, agile and responsive. To that end, Rowan is known for affordable education and varied education experiences.

While the main campus is located in Glassboro, students can study at four different locations.

Known as TCNJ, The College of New Jersey has its historic campus in Ewing. It's a liberal arts school that was first founded as the New Jersey State Normal School in 1855. Today, it has seven schools and says its educational programs are defined by experiences such as global engagement and leadership development.

Among New Jersey schools, TCNJ is known for affordable tuition and its commitment to faculty-student collaboration. The schools strives to provide five signature experiences to its students. Those include the aforementioned global engagement and leadership development as well as rigorous education, real-world experiences and community engaged learning.

The College of New Jersey is one of the more selective schools on this list and only admits about half of those who apply. It enrolls nearly 7,500 students each year.

Ramapo College of New Jersey is one of the state's regional public colleges. It is a relative newcomer to the higher education scene and was founded in 1969. At its campus in Mahwah, students can choose from three dozen academic degree programs offered in its five schools.

Students in those programs often graduate on time, and Ramapo is known as an affordable education option. A robust program of institutional aid helps keep costs down, and the school awards nearly $15 million in grants and scholarships.

As the smallest public college in New Jersey, Ramapo enrolls slightly more than 6,000 students. It has an impressive retention rate for freshman and its graduates are overwhelmingly employed or in graduate school within a year of leaving the college.

Montclair State University has a reputation for being both a quality and comprehensive educational institution. Its more than 20,000 students can choose from nearly 300 majors, minors, concentrations and certifications. These are offered within the university's nine colleges and schools.

The historic institution was founded in 1908 and is well known for its affordable tuition and fees. In addition to its numerous on-campus undergraduate programs, students can earn online graduate degrees from Montclair State. There are also night and weekend classes available to accommodate students who need a nontraditional schedule.

Among the school's guiding principles is a commitment to using cutting-edge technologies, providing exceptional value and helping students find both personal and professional success. Montclair State University also seeks to create a vibrant learning community on its Montclair campus.

In 1865, the Trenton Business College was established to train leaders for the post-Civil War era. Eventually, the college would transform into Rider University, a school that continues to train business leader but offers not only business degrees but degree programs in a wide range of fields.

The RIDER PROMISE represents the school's commitment to providing an open learning environment that prepares students to contribute meaningfully to the world. There are five colleges within Rider University, including the Westminster College of the Arts. A highly qualifies faculty helps make Rider one of the top universities in New Jersey. Nearly all full-time faculty members hold the highest degree possible in their field.

Rider University is a private institution with its main campus in Lawrenceville. A second campus can be found in Princeton.

The Newark campus of Rutgers University is another of the best schools in New Jersey. While not offering the same vast number of programs available at the university's flagship New Brunswick location, Rutgers-Newark does have many undergraduate and graduate programs in popular fields such as psychology, business administration, biology and accounting.

Rutgers University-Newark was originally the New Jersey Law School, an institution that opened its doors in 1908. RU-N still has a law school, but it is also home to five other colleges and schools as well. It's classified as a research institution.

In addition to all the other factors that make this one of the top universities in New Jersey, RU-N also has outstanding faculty. They include Fulbright Scholars, American Book Award winners and recipients of other distinguished awards.