Top Online Colleges and Best Value Schools (ROI) in New Jersey

Home to 72 degree-granting post-secondary institutions, the state of New Jersey has taken steps in the last few years to improve the affordability and accessibility of higher education. This effort aims to curtail the number of college-bound high school seniors who choose to get their college education out of state.

One of the many ways to cut the cost of a college education is through taking courses or earning a degree online. With the help of advanced technology, it is easier for many students to attend the degree program of their choice online, significantly cutting down the cost of room and board, transportation, and most student fees that traditional students need to include in their expenses.

According to the Distance Education State Almanac in 2017, there were 30,353 students in New Jersey who took online courses exclusively. The statistics of online students in the past five years also saw an increase of 9.3% which, although below the national average, is still a considerable improvement.

Online education has come a long way. As what many say, it is no longer the future, but the present. A degree earned online is just as respected as its brick-and-mortar counterpart. The perception of many employers has also changed. They now consider accredited online degrees as good as traditional ones.

To stay competitive,however, students need to consider the overall school reputation andeducational quality they will be getting from the online school of theirchoice. The type of degree they will earn is more important than the methodwith which they have earned it.

The state of New Jersey has several reputable colleges and universities that offer a quality online education. They have the opportunity to advance their education, earn their degrees, and acquire skills that they need to succeed in life through distance learning. This allows them to juggle their personal and professional responsibilities, along with their academic ambitions.

We gathered the 5 Top Online Schools in New Jersey to emphasize the state's best online academic institutions that provide online students with a superior learning experience. Following an evaluation by the researchers and writers at OnlineSchoolsCenter.com, we have concluded that these online schools share these salient features that prove their pursuit of distance education excellence, based on:

• Exceptional learning platforms that house the academic courses and resources that are virtually accessible by online students,

• A healthy student-teacher ratio that enhances student learning through focused instruction,

• A qualified faculty that are contributors to their industry of expertise,

• Recognized and accredited by institutions and organizations that oversee for compliance with academic standards and rules.

Our Methodology Page details our ranking process. Check it out!

Monmouth University

Based in West Long Branch, New Jersey, Monmouth University is committed to transformative learning, emphasizing an intellectually challenging, rigorous, and immersive academic experience.

The school encourages the distinguished faculty to work closely with students to help them prepare for a promising future, boasting low faculty-to-student ratio. Their personalized education also looks beyond the classroom, assisting students in achieving career advancement and further academic pursuits.

MonmouthUniversity offers a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate programs. Asidefrom their on-campus offerings, they also have available degree programs thatcan be earned online. This enables aspiring students to avail of world-classlearning experience wherever they are. Students reach their professional andacademic goals by taking courses at the most convenient time and place to fittheir lifestyle.

The universityoffers 50 online classes each semester for both undergraduate and graduatestudents. The courses are designed to suit adult learners and those who cannottravel to class to earn their higher education. Presently, the school allowsthree graduate programs to be completed entirely online, including CriminalJustice, Forensic Nursing, and Nursing.

The onlinedegrees are designed and taught by the same faculty who handle the on-campusofferings. Online students are encouraged to get involved not only in academicpursuits but also exercise socially responsible leadership that can lead themto their fullest potential.

Location: West Long Branch, New Jersey

• Completed

  application for admission and $50 application fee

• Officialtranscript

• Letterof recommendation

• Middle

  States Commission on Higher Education

• Associationto Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

• Commissionon Collegiate Nursing Education

• Councilon Social Work Education (CSWE)

• NationalCouncil for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)

• Councilfor Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)

Rutgers University

With a flagship home in New Jersey, Rutgers University is a leading national research university. It is devoted to excellence in teaching, innovative research across a broad spectrum of subjects, and in the service of local, national, and international communities. Its rich history includes being one of the nine original colonial colleges and one of America's first land-grant institutions.

The NewBrunswick campus serves more than 50,000 undergraduate, graduate, andprofessional students. It is comprised of 17 degree-granting schools taught byapproximately 10,000 faculty and staff. The university's mission is to preparestudents to become productive members of society and responsible citizens ofthe world. Its academic commitment extends beyond the traditional classroomofferings.

With RutgersOnline, students are free to pursue a brighter future while juggling theirprofessional and personal responsibilities. Their online programs were designedthe same way as their on-campus equivalents. The classes are kept small toallow one-on-one attention. They are also taught by world-renowned faculty, thesame as the on-campus classes. Aside from that, online students also have theunique advantage of a convenient and flexible learning experience, anytime andanywhere.

The onlineofferings range from certificates and bachelor's degrees to graduate studies.It includes ED.M. in Adult and Continuing Education, Bachelor of Arts inBusiness Education, Master of Accountancy in Governmental Accounting, andBachelor of Science in Labor and Employment Relations.

Location: New Brunswick, New Jersey

• Completed

  online application form

• Admissionessay

• Applicationfee of $70, nonrefundable

• Self-reportedacademic record

• Officialcopy of high school transcript

• GEDofficial results

• SATor ACT scores

• Middle

  States Commission on Higher Education

• AACSBInternational-The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

• AccreditationBoard for Engineering and Technology, Inc.

• AccreditationCouncil for Pharmacy Education

• AmericanChemical Society

• AmericanPhysical Therapy Association

• AmericanPsychological Association

• Commissionon Accreditation for Dietetics Education

• Commissionon Collegiate Nursing Education

• Councilfor Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs

• Councilon Education for Public Health

• Councilon Social Work Education

• NationalAssociation of Schools of Dance

• NationalAssociation of Schools of Music

• NationalAssociation of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration

• PlanningAccreditation Board

• TeacherEducation Accreditation Council

Thomas Edison State University

Thomas Edison State University is a senior public institution of higherlearning in New Jersey. It is one of the oldest in the country designedspecifically for adults, and offers a myriad of degree programs in variouslevels, from undergraduate and graduate degrees to professional certificates.

The greateststrength of this school is its commitment to serve adult learners. They offerexceptional value through academic excellence and reasonable tuition and fees.Designing programs specifically for the needs of busy yet motivated adults,Thomas Edison State University allows courses to be accessible at times mostconvenient for its students. They offer flexible, high-quality, collegiatelearning opportunities for self-directed adults, helping them acquirecollege-level learning in non-collegiate settings.

The universityhas some of the most extensive online degree programs on offer, from accountingand sociology to criminal justice and nursing. Aspiring students have a varietyof options at their disposal, with programs covering 100 areas of study.

The onlineprograms are designed in a way that takes the adult learners' needs intoconsideration. Some can attend school part-time while taking care of theirprofessional and personal responsibilities.

Since studentscan earn their degrees at their own pace, the duration of degree programs variesfrom individual to individual. It also depends on these two factors: the numberof transfer credits eligible to their degree program and the amount of timethey can commit to earning the credits required for their degree.

Location: Trenton, New Jersey

• High

  school degree or GED equivalent

• Completedonline application form

• Applicantsmust be at least 18 to be admitted

• Middle

  States Commission on Higher Education

• Commissionon Collegiate Nursing Education

• InquiryBrief Commission of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation(CAEP)

• EngineeringTechnology Accreditation Commission of ABET

• Commissionon Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)

• AccreditationCouncil for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

Fairleigh Dickinson

University-Metropolitan Campus

Found in the quietsuburban town of Teaneck, New Jersey, Fairleigh Dickinson UniversityMetropolitan campus ishome to many of FDU's business, professional, science, and health careprograms. Apart from serving students in the state of New Jersey and all overthe country, it has also attracted students from as many as 63 countries.

Currently,there are 4,114 undergraduates and 2,350 graduate students attending theMetropolitan campus. As the most prominent private university in the state,Fairleigh Dickinson University offers a wide range of academic programs. Theyalso have options for online education, with associate and bachelor's degreeprograms as well as graduate programs and certificates on offer. The onlineprograms reflect the university's mission of academic excellence andlong-standing commitment to distance learning.

Designed tohelp professionals reach their full academic potential, their online programsare a convenient way for many students to earn the credentials they need tosucceed. The small intimate classes and superb faculty make it one of the bestchoices for distance learning. The university offers a hands-on approach tolearning, catering to the individual needs of students.

The flexibleeducation format makes it easier for students to move ahead in their career asthey can dictate the pace of their learning and maximize their time to earn thedegree faster, if possible. Although deadlines and exams are indicated, thestudents have the freedom to set the time and place for class attendance. Theycan complete their coursework at the most convenient time for them, allowingthem to pursue their degree while maintaining their work and life commitments.

Some of themost notable degree program selections include Bachelor of Arts inIndividualized Studies, Master of Public Health, Master of Creative Writing,Master of Digital Marketing, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Location: Teaneck, New Jersey

• Completed

  application form

• SATor ACT scores

• Officialcopy of high school transcript

• Middle

  States Commission on Higher Education

• Associationto Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Saint Peter's University

Focusing onrigorous academics since 1872, SaintPeter's University isgrounded in the liberal arts. It aims to educate a diverse community oflearners to excel intellectually, lead ethically, serve compassionately, andpromote justice in an ever-evolving global environment.

Currently, it offers more than 50 undergraduate programs and 13 graduate programs with 118 full-time faculty members. Students have the opportunity to personalize their academic programs to help them better achieve their goals. The university also maintains a flexible approach to delivering a world-class education.

The school accomplishes its goals through its online programs, which are just as rigorous and high-quality as their on-campus counterparts. Designed to meet the individual needs of students, Saint Peter's online programs provide them the training to succeed in their chosen industry. Students have the freedom to dictate their own pace, anytime, and anywhere suitable for their schedules. The flexibility and convenience the online programs offer allows them to pursue their higher education or further their education without compromising their personal and professional life.

These are some of the many degree program options students can choose: BS in Business Administration, BS in Nursing, or a Master of Higher Education in General Administration.

Location: Jersey City, New Jersey

• Completed

  application

• Officialhigh school transcript or GED score

• OfficialSAT or ACT scores

• Twoletters of recommendation (School Counselor form and Teacher recommendation)

• Personalstatement/essay

• Middle

  States Commission on Higher Education

• Commissionon Collegiate Nursing Education Accreditation (CCNE)

• InternationalAccreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)

• Councilfor the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

New Jersey, theGarden State, is home to some of the top universities in the United States, andits educational systems and schools have long been recognized nationwide fortheir excellence. But now, the New Jersey educational experience that one couldpreviously only have on campus is slowly becoming more and more accessible to abroader audience through online and distance learning.

A report fromDistance Education State Almanac in 2017 estimated that more than 30,000students in New Jersey took fully online college courses and over 87,000 tookat least one online course in 2015. These figures have increased steadilythrough the years, and it seems like online education will continue to becomethe preferred option for many more students in the future.

As tuitionrates continue to rise, along with other expenses related to on-campuseducation, online education is beginning to gain attention. Its two mostsignificant benefits are accessibility, especially for aspiring students withdisabilities or those whose family situations require them to remain at homemajority of the time, and affordability, as many online colleges anduniversities offer reasonable and often cheaper rates compared to on-campusprograms. Students who take the online route can also save much on other usualcosts tied with on-campus education, like transportation, housing, and meals.

The school's online programs present various levels of pacing and flexibility that is usually not available for on-campus students. Thanks to innovation and technology, New Jersey's quality education is now just a click away from aspiring students nationwide (and even worldwide).

As college tuition rates continue to soar, online students in New Jersey are continuously on the lookout for top-rated schools that offer their online degree program of choice at affordable rates. Our 5 Best Value Online Schools in New Jersey presents the cheap colleges that commit to inexpensive tuition and fees while offering high-quality online education.

Stevens Institute of Technology

It was in 1870that the Stevens Institute of Technology was founded. It currently has a studentpopulation of over 6,000 and has produced two Nobel Prize winners (alumni and afaculty member). The Institute was named after the Stevens family, who wereknown for being prolific inventors and engineers. Though the initial focus ofStevens Institute was mechanical engineering and it is probably most well-knownfor its science offerings, it has now expanded to other fields of study, withfour schools under its roof, namely the College of Arts and Letters, the Schoolof Systems and Enterprises, the Charles V. Schaefer, Jr. School of Engineeringand Science, and the School of Business.

Stevens Institute of Technology has gained recognition and placed high in rankings from various institutions and organizations. It came in fourth place nationwide in CNBC's 2018 list of "25 Colleges That Are Worth the Money," and was included in Forbes' 2018 "Top 25 STEM Colleges" list, and these are just a few of the dozens it has received that serves as proof of the institute's quality and value for money.

Its onlineprogram, StevensOnline, currently has over fifty fully online degrees andcertificates in its catalog. The flat rate for full-time students (those with12 to 20 credits) is $26,067 per semester, while students taking less than 12credits pay $1,738 per credit hour. However, StevensOnline offers a discount ofup to 25% for eligible students applying for an online program, which can translateto savings of up to $1,000 per course taken.

Location: Hoboken, New Jersey

• Official

  high school transcript

• SAT/ACTscores (no minimum indicated)

• personalessay,

• twoletters of recommendation

Accreditations:

• Middle

  States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

• ABETAccreditation of Engineering and Computer Science Programs

• AmericanChemical Society (ACS), AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools ofBusiness)

• ProjectManagement Institute (PMI) Global Accreditation Center for Project ManagementEducation Programs

Rowan

University

RowanUniversity beganas the Glassboro Normal School for teachers in 1923. Now, Rowan has come a longway, with over 18,000 students under its 170-plus educational offerings thatrange from certificates to doctorate degrees. It has even set up two medicalcampuses outside of its main campus in Glassboro.

Theuniversity's Division of Global Learning & Partnerships, or Rowan Global,is the product of its efforts to make education accessible to all. Thirtyprograms are a mix of fully online and hybrid formats. From humanities programsto business to health professions, Rowan Global's online offerings cover a widerange of fields and have been optimized for online learning, with technicalsupport on standby around the clock.

Onlineundergraduate tuition rates are the same for both in-state and out-of-statestudents and are also not dependent on the full-time or part-time status of thestudent, but there may be slight variations depending on the program – therange is from $468 to $480 per credit hour. An assortment of financial aid andscholarships are offered in all of Rowan Global's degree-granting programs.

Location: Glassboro, New Jersey, plus specializedcampuses in Stratford and Camden, New Jersey

• Official

  high school transcript

• SAT/ACTscores (no minimum indicated)

• recommendationsor teacher evaluations

• personalessay

• Middle

  States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

• AACSBInternational – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business,

• ABET –Computing Accreditation Commission

• ABET –Engineering Accreditation Commission

• AmericanAssociation of Colleges of Nursing – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

• American

  Chemical Society

• AmericanOsteopathic Association – Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation

• AmericanOsteopathic Association – Council on Osteopathic Postdoctoral TrainingInstitutions

• Certificationin Education for Public Relations – Public Relations Society of America

• Commissionfor Accreditation of Athletic Training Education

• Councilfor Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs

Montclair

State University

Montclair StateUniversity (MSU)is one of the largest universities in the state of New Jersey, home to over21,000 students who are under its 300-plus programs. Montclair State has alsobeen recognized in several lists and rankings, including Money magazine's "50Colleges that Add the Most Value" 2017 list and Wall Street Journal's and U.S.News & World Report's Top 100 Public Universities ranking.

The universityhas expanded its horizons to online learning and distance education, bringingthe same level of quality and experienced faculty from its physical campus tostudents all over the country and even beyond. Programs in education, business,and technology, to name a few, can be taken entirely online, while hybridcourses are also available during winter and summer.

Montclair StateOnline's rates vary depending on the student's chosen program, but the lowestfor its master's degree programs start at $1,825 for three credits, whilecertificates cost $1,500 for three credits. Student services enjoyed byon-campus students have also been adapted to an online setting, with Montclairoffering services such as academic and psychological counseling, careeradvisement, and tutoring, on top of 24/7 technical services.

Location: Montclair, New Jersey

• Official

  transcripts from previously attended academic institutions

• Lettersof recommendation

• Standardizedtest scores

• Personalessay

Accreditations:

• Middle States Commission on Higher Education

  (MSCHE)

• The Association to Advance Collegiate Schoolsof Business (AACSB International)

• Accreditation Council for Education in Nutritionand Dietetics (ACEND)

• American Psychological Association (APA)

• Commission on Accreditation of AthleticTraining Education (CAATE)

• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education(CCNE)

• Computing Accreditation Commission of theAccreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (CAC/ABET)

• Council for the Accreditation of Counseling andRelated Education Programs (CACREP)

• Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiologyand Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-HearingAssociation (CAA/ASHA)

• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation(CAEP)

• Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)

• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

Caldwell

University

Founded by the Catholic Sisters of St. Dominic in 1939, Caldwell Universitywas first an exclusive college for women and later became a coeducational institution in 1985. Now recognized for its active liberal arts programs, Caldwell University has over 50 program options in its line-up, as well as an online learning division.

CaldwellOnline, the university's online vehicle, was recognized in 2014 in U.S. World& News Report's Best Colleges list and even ranked second in AffordableColleges Online's Best in State Online College 2016 list. It boasts one of the mostinexpensive private college tuitions in the state of New Jersey, making it astrong contender for both value and quality.

Students canchoose from accelerated, fully online programs in the field of health, education,and business administration that are available all year round. Tuition is at$725 per credit hour or $2,175 for a three-credit course. Many resources forfinancial aid can be applied for, while benefits for veterans and members ofthe military are also available.

Location: Caldwell, New Jersey

• At least

  16 specific units of college-preparatory coursework

• High schoolGPA (no minimum indicated, but a score of 3.2 or higher is encouraged)

• Middle

  States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

• AccreditationCouncil for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

• Councilfor the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

• Councilfor Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP)

• Commissionon Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

• Associationfor Behavior Analysis International (ABAI)

Georgian Court

University

Georgian Court University (GCU) remained an exclusive Catholicwomen's college for more than 100 years, but in 2013, it finally opened itsdoors to male students and students of all faiths and backgrounds. Though it isprobably most well-known for its education-related programs, recent programadditions in the fields of health, security, and media have helped expandGeorgian Court University's scope.

GCU Online, theuniversity's online education program, is also part of its growth andexpansion, bringing its extensive experience in education to a much biggeraudience. Certificates, completion of bachelor's degrees, and master's degreescan be taken online, with no additional charges for their online format, unlikeother colleges or universities.

Despite being aprivate institution, Georgian Court University's affordability has beenconsidered comparable to New Jersey's public universities. A per credit rate of$728 per hour is available for part-time students (those with less than 12credits), and the full-time rate for those taking 12 or more credits is at$16,025 per semester, while higher prices for both part-time and full-timenursing programs apply. Students at all levels may also opt for various formsof financial aid through GCU's Office of Financial Aid.

Learn moreabout the online programs at GeorgianCourt University.

Location: Lakewood Township, New Jersey

• Official

  high school transcript

• ACT/SATscores (no minimum indicated)

• optionalpersonal essay

• optionalletters of recommendation

Accreditations:

• Middle

  States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

• Commissionon Collegiate Nursing Education

• Councilon Social Work Education Commission on Accreditation

• Councilfor Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs

• NationalAssociation of School Psychologists

• AccreditationCouncil for Business Schools & Programs

• Councilfor the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

• InternationalAssociation of Counseling Services, Inc.

• ArbNetArboretum Accreditation Program