2023 Best Online Colleges in New Jersey

Thomas Edison State University (TESU) is a public institution. The acceptance rate among undergraduates at TESU is 100%, with a graduation rate of 48%. TESU offers several online associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, as well as certificate programs.

TESU facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning on the learning management system (LMS) myEdison, which is through Moodle. Some of TESU’s online bachelor’s degree programs include Mathematics, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Organizational Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Engineering Systems Technology, International Studies, and many more. Online students can access academic advising, a virtual bookstore, disability support, and career development services.

This private four-year university in Hoboken offers online certificates and master's degrees in business, engineering and science, management and leadership, analytics and technology, finance, and systems and enterprises. Stevens offers both synchronous and asynchronous classes, meaning some classes meet at a set time while others let students review pre-recorded lectures when it's convenient for them. The university is known for innovation in online learning and has won multiple awards for its online platform, WebCampus. Stevens uses Zoom and Canvas to help students connect with peers, access coursework, turn in assignments, and meet with professors. The university also offers mental health services, research assistance, academic support, scholarships, and career development resources for online students.

Seton Hall University is a Catholic school offering online graduate programs at the master's, doctoral, and certificate levels. Students can choose from master's degrees in nursing, business and finance, healthcare administration, counseling, education leadership, policing, and other fields of study. The university also offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice program and four graduate certificates. Seton Hall students learning remotely can access a variety of online resources, including campus ministry, technical support, and career services. Online students can log in when it's convenient for them to complete coursework, participate in class discussions, talk with their peers and professors, and turn in assignments.

Rider University, a private school in Lawrence Township, emphasizes learning through hands-on projects and immersive experiences. The university offers online programs including bachelor's and master's degrees, graduate and undergraduate certificates, and continuing education programs geared toward working professionals who want to advance in their field or change careers. Available fields of study include allied healthcare, athletic leadership, business administration, cannabis studies, cybersecurity, life and career coaching, accounting, nursing, leadership, education, music, and choral studies. Rider also offers a broad range of scholarships for first year students, transfer students, continuing education students, graduate students, and veterans and military students.

Rutgers University's Camden campus offers fully-online bachelor's and master's degrees, including programs in business, accounting, finance, business analytics, liberal arts, and nursing. Most of Rutgers-Camden's online programs are offered through the business school, and students can pursue opportunities such as accelerated degree options to earn a bachelor's and master's degree at the same time, and embedded certificate tracks and study-abroad options for MBA students. Students at Rutgers-Camden learn on their own schedule, completing assignments, reviewing lectures, participating in group projects, and taking exams while meeting regularly scheduled deadlines.

Rutgers University is a large public research university with a strong reputation. The school has campuses in New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden, and offers three bachelor's degrees, 16 online master's programs, and a wide range of certificates. Undergraduate students can earn their online bachelor's degree in business administration, nursing, or labor and employment relations. Master's students can opt for degrees in business, social work, information studies, public administration, education, accounting, marketing, and a range of other fields. Rutgers features small online class sizes, opportunities to study abroad, internship programs, and dual degree options where students can earn their master's and bachelor's at the same time.

At Kean University, a public institution, online students can pursue several online degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, and postgraduate levels. Kean offers over 10 online bachelor’s degrees in various specialties. A couple of Kean’s online bachelor's programs are a Bachelor of Science in Public Health or a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. They even offer an online nursing program for RNs who want to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Kean allows applicants to sign up for online classes five days before they start. Remote students complete coursework synchronously on the popular LMS Canvas. Additionally, online student support at Kean includes counseling, writing and tutoring services, career services, and an online bookstore.

The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) offers more than 40 online graduate programs, including master's degrees and graduate certificates in STEM and business fields, game design, animation, and management. Undergraduate students can also earn their bachelor's degree in business through the accelerated degree program for students who have an associate degree. NJIT is a highly-regarded public research university located in Newark where 25% of graduate students are enrolled in online-only programs.

New Jersey City University (NJCU) is a public university located in Jersey City. NJCU offers fully-accredited online degree programs including a bachelor's degree in fire science, an undergraduate certificate in geographic information science (GIS), graduate degrees in fields such as educational technology, teaching, special education and autism, and national security studies, and graduate certificates in teaching and education, assistive technology, nursing, and STEM. NJCU uses Blackboard to deliver online classes, where students can log in to submit assignments, review class materials, and connect with their peers. The majority of graduate students at NJCU are enrolled online and attend part-time.

Rowan University is a public institution offering several online bachelor’s degree programs. In addition to undergraduate programs, online students can also pursue several certifications. Rowan also offers summer and winter accelerated programs for students who are looking to pursue studies outside of the traditional fall and spring semesters.

Rowan facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning through Canvas, which hosts discussion forums among peers and all coursework materials. Some of Rowan’s online programs focus on construction management, sociology, law and justice, health studies, fitness management, and much more. Rowan offers online student support services, from professional development courses and tutoring services to success coaching.

Public research school Montclair State University offers a wide range of online master's degrees and graduate certificates as well as a handful of bachelor's programs for distance learners. Students can earn their bachelor's in liberal studies, business administration, or nursing. Graduate degrees and certificates are offered in sustainability science, teaching, nursing, social research and analysis, information technology, educational leadership, business administration, business analytics, and a variety of other majors. Online students at MSU can get remote support including online tutoring, counseling and mental health services, academic advising, library and research resources, tech support, and an online student center to network and use resources.

This private university has two New Jersey campuses in Madison and Teaneck, as well as a location in Vancouver, Canada and one at Wroxton College in England. Undergraduate programs include an associate degree or a bachelor's degree completion program for students who already have some college credits. Graduate students can choose from a wide range of programs in animation, higher education administration, administrative science, digital marketing, nursing education, and other fields of study. Students at Fairleigh can log in to class on their own schedule and complete coursework on their own time while still meeting regular deadlines. Online students also get paired with an online advisor who helps them stay on track and navigate through the online learning experience.

William Paterson University (WP) is a four-year, public institution located in Wayne, NJ. With nearly 8,000 undergraduate students, WP has an established distance learning program that offers 100% online degrees, which students can earn in 7-week sessions.

WP has 8 online Bachelor of Arts options — ranging from Disability Studies to Criminology and Criminal Justice — and 8 online Bachelor of Science choices, including nursing and accounting degree programs. If applying at this level, WP has an 81% acceptance rate. Meanwhile, 61% of students end up graduating with their bachelor's degrees. WP Online even has graduate programs online for those who desire to continue their studies past the baccalaureate level.

Saint Peter's University is the only Jesuit college in New Jersey and offers online graduate programs in business administration, business analytics, data science, health science, organizational psychology, marketing science, and higher education. Most master's programs are designed to be completed in under two years when enrolled full-time. Saint Peter's Online delivers classes and coursework through Blackboard, a learning management system where students can log in on their own schedule to review class materials and complete assignments. Saint Peter's alumni can access career services including career counseling, career fairs, networking events, and access to the university's Handshake platform, where employer partners and alumni can post open jobs and internships.

Berkeley College is a for-profit school with locations in New Jersey and New York alongside their online campus. The college offers online bachelor's degrees across many subjects, including surgical technology, national security, legal studies, interior design, information technology management, and business. Graduate students can earn either a Master of Business Administration or a Master of Science in Nursing online. Support for online learning includes a Center for Academic Success, virtual tutoring, virtual study groups, online writing help, and assistance developing a personalized study plan. Qualified students can also apply for different scholarships offered by the college to help lower the cost of their degree.