Formally known as “Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey,” Rutgers is a public research university with several Rutgers University online degree programs. It’s also one of the largest colleges in New Jersey. They maintain three campus locations across its home state, as well as a variety of off-campus and online programs. Students at Rutgers University might earn undergraduate or graduate degrees, or pursue non-degree professional education. With more than 200 different academic departments and eight thousand faculty, Rutgers uses its resources to help its students get the experience and support they need to thrive.
About Rutgers University Online
Rutgers University was founded in 1766, though at the time it was chartered as Queen’s College. It’s one of nine colleges chartered prior to the American Revolution, and the eighth oldest in the United States. Though it’s currently a public institution, Rutgers spent much of its history as a private liberal arts school. It earned its current name in 1825 in honor of Colonel Henry Rutgers, who helped the school overcome financial difficulties to remain open. It’s been a co-educational public research university since 1956, though it still retains some of the qualities of a private school.
Throughout its history, Rutgers students, alumni, and faculty have accumulated a variety of accomplishments. A few examples of student success include a Pulitzer prize-winning novelist, two Nobel prizes, a Poet Laureate appointment, and more. Students have been elected to the US Senate, as well as served as NJ Governor, Secretary of State, as Supreme Court Justices, and even Vice President.
Rutgers University Mission
The Rutgers community works to uphold its central mission, so as to focus their efforts and serve their students in the most effective way they can. This mission has three prongs.
- To serve the diverse educational needs of the people of New Jersey, through the undergraduate and graduate programs, and continuing education they’re able to offer.
- To support New Jersey’s medical, environmental, social, and cultural well-being, as well as the economy, through the performance of cutting-edge research.
- To support the needs of the local community and throughout New Jersey, by performing public service in cooperation with state and local government.
Rutgers makes efforts to design and implement its academic programs in support of these goals, including facilitating research efforts and enabling students to use their learning and get involved.
Where Is Rutgers University?
Rutgers University has three campus locations. These include:
- Rutgers University New Brunswick: In addition to being the oldest campus, Rutgers New Brunswick is also the largest. In fact, Rutgers New Brunswick was even ranked multiple times in the 2018 edition of US News & World Report. They were included on lists of Best Colleges for Veterans, National Universities, Best Value, and more. New Brunswick is also the home of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences Division.
- Rutgers University Newark: Rutgers Newark was founded in 1908, and offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. Rutgers University Newark is also one of the most diverse national universities, and makes efforts to uphold that tradition. This location’s program offerings were ranked multiple times by US News & World Report 2018, including Top Public Schools, National Universities, and Best Value Schools.
- Rutgers University Camden: Rutgers Camden combines the opportunity and resources of a large research institution with the advantages and personal nature of a small campus. Located across the river from Philadelphia on the Camden Waterfront, Rutgers of South Jersey strives to offer its students and community the support and enrichment they need to thrive.
Rutgers University Online
Rutgers Online offers working professionals a more flexible path to earning a degree. While the programs are completed fully online, they still retain many of the benefits of campus learning, including the same small class sizes, the same faculty, and the potential for personal attention.
Rutgers University online offers two bachelors degree options, and a range of masters programs. These include:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Bachelor of Business Administration
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Social Work (MSW)
- Master of Public Administration (MPA)
- Master of Information (MI)
- M.Ed. in Learning, Cognition and Development
- M.Ed. in Adult and Continuing Education
- MA in Liberal Studies
- Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering
- Master of Music in Music Education
Each of these may be offered in conjunction with one of the 30 different schools and colleges offered at Rutgers. As such, the application process and prerequisites may vary by program. In some cases, it may be possible to blend campus and online learning, so if that’s something you’re interested in, reach out to that program to find out more.
Rutgers University Academics
Through their three campus locations and online programs, Rutgers offers more than 200 different paths of study, ranging from undergraduate though doctorate. These programs—the availability of which may vary by location—are offered through 30 different schools and colleges. Some colleges may operate across campuses and even online, whereas others may only be available at one location. Each college centers on a specific subject area, discipline, or family of programs.
Below, you'll find a list of the potential colleges you might study in, if you choose to earn your degree at Rutgers. If you’re interested in a certain program or school, reach out to find out more about it, including whether it’s offered online or through your location of choice.
- Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
- Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy
- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
- School of Health Professions
- School of Public Health
- School of Nursing
- Mason Gross School of the Arts
- Rutgers Business School
- School of Arts & Sciences
- School of Engineering
- School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
- School of Graduate Studies
- Graduate School of Education
- Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology
- School of Management & Labor Relations
- School of Social Work
- Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
- Rutgers Law School
- School of Criminal Justice
Rutgers University Online Admissions
The application process to attend Rutgers University may vary, depending on the type of degree or credential you’d like to earn, the campus you want to attend, and other factors. Other details may also vary slightly, including acceptance rate. For example, the Rutgers acceptance rate at New Brunswick and Camden in 2016 was approximately 57%, whereas in Newark it was 65%. That rate is subject to change between years and semesters, as well as by program and degree level.
Potential students could schedule campus visits and interviews at any of their three campuses, and might submit applications directly to the campus or academic program they’re interested in. If you need help figuring out the right path for you, reach out to one of Rutgers’ admissions counselors, so that they can guide you through the process.
At the undergraduate level, some of the information or credentials your application might ask you for include:
- Academic information, including your performance, schools and classes attended
- Extra-curricular activities, leadership experience, employment, and other personal experiences
- An application essay and/or writing sample, usually in response to a prompt
- Standardized test scores
- Portfolio or audition materials (if relevant)
Graduate program prerequisites could vary considerably. Some additional things they may ask for include transcripts from your bachelor’s program, specific degree type requirements (e.g. earning a bachelors in a relevant field), professional experience, or GRE scores. For more information about those, contact the program in question.
Rutgers Financial Aid & Scholarship Info
Rutgers knows that financing education can be a challenge for many students. As such, they make sure to provide the resources, guidance, and assistance you might need to figure out your options.
Many students at Rutgers receive some form of federal or state-based financial aid, in the form of subsidized and unsubsidized loans, grants, and other programs. Many of these are administered based on the information you submit on your FAFSA. If you have questions about the FAFSA or need help completing it, reach out to the Office of Financial Aid for advice.
Additionally, a variety of scholarship opportunities might be available. Generally speaking, these vary by campus and program. Many of these are merit-based, meaning they look at your prior academic performance, extra-curriculars, and other experience to evaluate candidacy. For more information on the opportunities available to you and how to make sure you’re considered for them, contact your admissions counselor.
You can read more about Saving and Paying for College here.
Rutgers Athletics
Rutgers New Brunswick is an NCAA Division I school. Their teams are known as the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. That said, the Newark and Camden campuses also have teams in NCAA Division III. Their teams are called the Scarlet Raiders and Scarlet Raptors.
Rutgers New Brunswick has been called “the birthplace of college football.” But that’s not the only sport they offer. The Scarlet Knights compete in a range of Men’s and Women’s competitions, including:
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Cross Country
- Football
- Golf
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Track & Field
- Gymnastics
- Rowing
- Softball
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Wrestling
Not interested in intercollegiate athletics, but still want to stay active? Rutgers has been known to offer students a range of fun and unique activities. For example, students at Rutgers have played Roller Hockey, Rugby, and Ultimate Frisbee. There’s even a Quidditch team, called the Nearly Headless Knights!
Apply to Rutgers University
Think Rutgers University might be the school for you? Find out more about it by filling out the contact form! You can request more information, and even get in touch to schedule a visit or interview. Then start putting together your application, and take another step toward earning your degree as a member of the Rutgers community.
