The best community colleges in New Jersey might be on your radar if you’re looking for affordable two-year degree programs. This detailed guide to community colleges in NJ is a great place to start. We rank the best community colleges in New Jersey and provide information about admissions requirements and transfer options.
Also included in this guide is information about financial aid and in-demand jobs in New Jersey to consider after graduation. Whether your dream career is in automotive technology, political science, environmental science, or criminal justice, there is a program for everyone at community colleges in NJ.
How Many Community Colleges Are in New Jersey?
There are 18 community colleges in New Jersey and together they serve more than 300,000 students in both credit and non-credit programs. Of all the college students in New Jersey attending public institutions, over half go to a community college.
How Many Community College Districts Are in New Jersey?
There are 21 community college districts in New Jersey. Community college districts in New Jersey are determined by county. Most counties have their own community college, but Raritan Valley Community College serves both Hunterdon and Somerset counties.
What Is the Biggest Community College in New Jersey?
The biggest community college in New Jersey is Bergen Community College, according to US News & World Report. It has the largest student population with over 32,000 students. The smallest community college in New Jersey is Salem Community College, with fewer than 1,000 students.
What Are the Best Community Colleges in New Jersey?
| Ranking | Community College | Graduation Rate | Student-to-Faculty Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sussex County Community College | 40% | 15:1 |
| 2 | Ocean County College | 39% | 18:1 |
| 3 | County College of Morris | 36% | 17:1 |
| 4 | Union County College | 34% | 20:1 |
| 5 | Rowan College of South Jersey | 33% | 17:1 |
| 6 | Raritan Valley Community College | 28% | 19:1 |
| 7 | Brookdale Community College | 26% | 22:1 |
| 8 | Bergen Community College | 24% | 20:1 |
| 9 | Camden County College | 22% | 20:1 |
| 10 | Passaic County Community College | 13% | 19:1 |
The Best Community Colleges in New Jersey: Explained
The best community colleges in New Jersey have good financial aid options, a wide variety of program areas for degrees and certificates, and low student-to-faculty ratios. Let’s look at our top 10 schools in detail below.
Best Online Community Colleges in New Jersey
- Rowan College of South Jersey. This school provides many courses entirely online including agricultural science, business law, and world geography. Online courses make it easy for high school students to take college-level courses before they graduate.
- Ocean County College. Ocean County College has 12 associate degrees and seven certificate programs that can be done entirely online. The school has advising, tutoring, and tech support to help online students meet their personal education goals.
- Brookdale Community College. Brookdale Community College has several different learning formats to choose from. There are on-campus programs, hybrid programs, online remote live classes, and fully online classes. Eight associate degrees are available fully online as well as an online cyber security certificate.
Best Online Associate Degrees
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Other New Jersey Community College Rankings
While graduation rate is important, there are other factors to consider when looking at New Jersey community colleges. You may be looking for the best community college in New Jersey for transferring to a four-year institution or for the best community college in NJ for business. See the next section for these rankings and more.
Best Community Colleges in New Jersey for Transfer
- Raritan Valley Community College. Raritan Valley Community College gives students one-on-one help with transferring to a four-year school. It has transfer programs with more than 90 private colleges and public universities.
- County College of Morris. Within three years of graduating from the County College of Morris, more than 70 percent of students transfer to a bachelor’s degree program. County College of Morris has transfer agreements with over 190 schools including Montclair State University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, and Ramapo College of New Jersey.
- Bergen Community College. Bergen Community College supports students who want to transfer to a four-year school through transfer workshops, transfer fairs, and transfer agreements with many four-year schools across the US.
Best Community Colleges for Business in New Jersey
- Bergen Community College. In addition to a solid business program, Bergen Community College has multiple business clubs and organizations for students to participate in, including the Future Business Leaders of America, which includes skill development workshops and crucial networking opportunities.
- Brookdale Community College. Brookdale Community College has six different degrees in its Business Department, so students can start to specialize even at the associate degree level. Options include general business, hospitality management, and accounting.
- Ocean County College. This New Jersey community college has various business degree programs and extracurricular clubs for prospective students to consider. There are also networking opportunities with local business partners and a business competition called Sink or Swim where students can win cash prizes.
Best New Jersey Community Colleges That Offer Bachelor’s Degrees
- Rowan College of South Jersey. Rowan University and Rowan College of South Jersey have partnered to bring students entirely online bachelor’s degree programs in entrepreneurship, construction management, human resource management, management information systems, and psychology.
Best Associate Degrees
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Best Community College Programs in New Jersey
The best community college programs in New Jersey include business, nursing, teaching, accounting, and biology. These popular topics can lead to a wide variety of fulfilling and high-paying careers.
Business
Business programs prepare students to make informed decisions about financial and personnel issues. Students can earn an associate degree with their preferred business concentration at the best community colleges in New Jersey and transfer to a four-year institution for a bachelor’s degree. Students might later decide to return to school for a business master’s degree.
Nursing
Nursing programs prepare students to become registered nurses (RNs) and many include internships or other experiential learning opportunities. Nursing programs at community colleges usually have limited spots, so admission requirements are often more rigorous than for other programs.
Education
If becoming a teacher is your dream, you can start with an associate degree, and then transfer to a four-year school to become a teacher with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Most community colleges provide opportunities to practice your teaching skills with an internship opportunity.
Accounting
To become an accounting professional, students may start at a community college to earn an associate degree in accounting and transfer credits to a four-year school. To become a Certified Professional Accountant (CPA), you will need a bachelor’s degree.
Biology
An Associate Degree in Biology is a great way to explore the field before committing to a four-year degree. The best community colleges will have research opportunities in biology so students can get hands-on experience and learn what it’s like to be a lab scientist.
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New Jersey Community College Admission Requirements
The main admission requirement to attend a community college in New Jersey is a high school diploma or GED. Some schools require a minimum GPA or standardized test scores. Overall, community college admission requirements are easy to meet and most schools have a high acceptance rate. We’ll cover admissions requirements in more detail below.
New Jersey Community College GPA Requirements
Most New Jersey community colleges don’t have a minimum GPA for acceptance. However, most community colleges in NJ require students to maintain a minimum GPA while earning their degree or certificate to stay in the program or qualify for certain scholarships and grants.
Residency Requirements for Community Colleges in New Jersey
Most community colleges in New Jersey have different tuition rates for students who live in that county, in a different New Jersey County, or in a different state. Some schools charge the same amount for international students as out-of-state students, while others may charge more. You can save a lot of money by attending the community college in your county of residence.
To be considered a resident, in most cases, you must have lived in a specific county in New Jersey for at least one year. To prove your residency, you’ll have to have an official document that shows your address. Tax forms from the previous year are usually sufficient proof of residency, but each individual school can help you figure out which documents you need.
New Jersey Community College Age Requirements
The standard minimum age to attend community college full-time in New Jersey is 17. However, high school students can take classes at community colleges to earn college credit. Additionally, community colleges have exceptions made for extremely high-performing students.
New Jersey Community College Admission Requirements: A Summary
- Fill out and submit an application.
- Pay the application fee.
- Submit official high school transcripts.
- Submit ACT or SAT scores or complete a placement test.
- Apply for financial aid.
- Attend new student orientation.
Why Study in New Jersey?
You should study in New Jersey because of its four-season climate, great educational opportunities, strong economy, and diverse culture with lots of community activities. Additionally, qualified New Jersey residents have the opportunity to win a Community College Opportunity Grant and attend a New Jersey community college for free.
Educational Opportunites
New Jersey is home to 18 community colleges that have partnerships with the best universities in New Jersey and beyond. Students who earned their associate degrees at community colleges in New Jersey have gone on to earn their bachelor’s degrees at Ivy League schools.
Economy
Like all states, New Jersey’s economy saw a downturn at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the state’s unemployment rate has been steadily decreasing since the summer of 2020. The unemployment rate in New Jersey dropped from 5.1 to 3.9 percent between December 2021 and May 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Culture and Community
New Jersey is home to people from many different cultures. Residents can find art exhibits, music, dance, and restaurants from all over the world. You are certain to find what you are looking for in this state with over nine million residents.
New Jersey Employment Outlook for Community College Students
New Jersey’s employment outlook for community college students is favorable. As of April 2022, New Jersey recovered 93 percent of the total lost jobs in the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the state’s department of labor. With help from your school’s career services office, you should be able to find a job in New Jersey after you graduate with an associate degree.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the sectors with the highest employment in New Jersey are education and health services, trade, transportation, and utilities, and government. The best community colleges in New Jersey have programs that can prepare you to work in any of these fields.
5 In-Demand New Jersey Jobs
These five in-demand New Jersey jobs are competitive with excellent salaries and favorable job outlooks. These positions include management analyst, registered nurse, accountant, middle school teacher, and microbiologist. An associate degree is sufficient for some of these roles but others will require additional education. Let’s take a closer look.
What Community Colleges in New Jersey Have Dorms?
There are no community colleges in New Jersey that currently have dorms. This may change soon because a bill was passed in 2021 by the state of New Jersey that allows community colleges to build dorms.
What Community Colleges Offer Winter Intersession in New Jersey?
Several community colleges offer winter intersessions in New Jersey. A winter intersession is a short, intensive, three to four-week course that usually starts in December or January. These courses are more condensed than the average course, so be prepared for an immersive educational experience.
New Jersey Community Colleges With Winter Intersession
- Passaic County Community College
- Raritan Valley Community College
- Rowan College of South Jersey
- Sussex County Community College
- Brookdale Community College
What Community Colleges in New Jersey Have Summer Classes?
Many community colleges in New Jersey have summer classes. These sessions are held over the summer break for students to either catch up, stay on track, or get ahead on their coursework. Summer classes run for eight to 10 weeks and are shorter programs than a whole semester.
New Jersey Community Colleges With Summer Classes
- Brookdale Community College
- Camden County College
- County College of Morris
- Raritan Valley Community College
- Rowan College of South Jersey
How to Apply to Community College in New Jersey
You can apply to a community college in New Jersey by completing an online application and submitting the required documents and payment. Some schools require you to set up an online account on their websites. After applying, students will apply for financial aid and take one or more placement exams.
New Jersey Community College Application Steps
- Create an online account.
- Complete and submit an online application.
- Submit official high school transcript and any additional required documents.
- Apply for financial aid and scholarships.
- Take placement exams or submit SAT or ACT scores.
Cost of Community Colleges in New Jersey
The National Center for Education Statistics shows that the yearly cost of tuition for community colleges in New Jersey ranges between $4,779 for in-state and $8,092 for out-of-state students. The best community colleges in New Jersey featured in this article range from $111 per credit for in-district students to $428 per credit for out-of-state or international students.
Are Community Colleges Ever Free in New Jersey?
Yes, community colleges can be free in New Jersey. The state of New Jersey has the Community College Opportunity Grant, which allows students who are New Jersey residents and meet other qualifications to apply for free tuition for their community college education.
Which Community Colleges Are Free in New Jersey?
All 18 community colleges within New Jersey may provide eligible students with a free community college education through the Community College Opportunity Grant, launched by Governor Murphy in September 2018. Exceptional students in the top 15 percent of their high school class can get free community college tuition through the NJ STARS scholarship.
Who Qualifies for Free Community College in New Jersey?
To qualify for the Community College Opportunity Grant, students must be enrolled at a community college for at least six credits during the academic year, must not have any prior college degrees, and must have a family income below $65,000.
Students are automatically considered for this grant when they fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). DACA recipients should fill out the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application.
How to Apply for Free Community College in New Jersey
- Apply to the community college in New Jersey of your choice.
- Enroll at a community college in New Jersey, with at least six credits for the academic year.
- Complete the FAFSA or New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application.
- Await feedback on your application.
Scholarships for Community Colleges in New Jersey
Incoming students can apply for scholarships for community colleges in New Jersey through the school of their choice, the federal government, and private organizations. Scholarships don’t need to be repaid, and the money can only be used to cover tuition and other defined fees.
How to Get a Scholarship for Community Colleges in New Jersey
- Apply to the community college in New Jersey of your choice.
- Complete the FAFSA.
- Review FAFSA Student Aid Report after your application is processed.
- Consult your school’s financial aid office to see which scholarships you are eligible for.
- Apply to scholarships available through your school and private organizations.
New Jersey Community College Scholarships List
- Raritan Valley Community College, Scholarship for Fundamental Fairness | Amount: $4,500. First-year or second-year students from an underrepresented minority are eligible for this scholarship if they have a GPA of 2.75 or higher and are taking six or more credits per semester.
- Brookdale Community College, Caroline Huber Memorial Scholarship | Amount: $1,000. Ten scholarships are awarded per year to incoming students studying humanities in Creative Writing, English, Media Studies, Public Relations, or Journalism. Students must demonstrate financial need.
- Ocean County College Foundation Scholarship | Amount: up to $3,000. To be eligible for this scholarship, students need to be registered and enrolled in a program at Ocean County College, have a GPA score of at least 2.0, and be residents of Ocean County.
Other New Jersey Community College Financial Aid Options
Other New Jersey community college financial aid options are available to help students pay for the cost of their degree. Some options can cover the full cost of tuition. Federal and state grants, student loans, and student loan forgiveness programs are all available financial aid options to consider.
Federal Grants
Federal grants include the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants, and the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants. To apply for these, simply fill out the FAFSA every year.
New Jersey Grants
There are many different New Jersey grants for future students of community colleges. Some of these grants are the Tuition Aid Grant and the Community College Opportunity Grant. To be considered for these programs, you have to fill out the FAFSA.
Student Loans
The federal government and some community colleges provide student loans. Student loans have to be paid back for the full amount plus interest. Private loans are also an option, but they are usually the most expensive option. Loans should be considered carefully and discussed with a college financial adviser.
Student loan forgiveness programs
The federal government provides the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) to those working for the US federal, state, local, or tribal governments, including not-for-profit organizations. It may all of your costs for tuition, if not, at least part of it. For example, meeting the requirement may mean working for the military or in underserviced areas.
The Best Financial Aid for Your Situation
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What Are the Financial Aid Requirements for Community Colleges in New Jersey?
The financial aid requirements for community colleges in New Jersey are to complete and submit the FAFSA. Students must be US citizens or eligible international students with demonstrated financial need. Students will need to maintain satisfactory academic performance to continue receiving most financial aid.
New Jersey Financial Aid Requirements: Overview
- Complete the FAFSA
- Demonstrated financial need
- High school diploma
- Maintain a satisfactory GPA score
Should You Attend Community College in New Jersey?
Yes, attending a community college in New Jersey is an excellent idea for anyone interested in furthering their education. The state of New Jersey helps students gain access to quality higher education through community colleges with lots of financial aid options.
New Jersey Community College Rankings: Methodology
Our ranking of New Jersey community colleges is based mainly on graduation rate. If graduation rate statistics were not available, we used data on student-to-faculty ratios to rank the remaining schools. These figures, sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), best reflect a student’s chances of getting the education and help they need to succeed.
Best Accelerated Degrees
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Best New Jersey Community Colleges FAQ
Community colleges in New Jersey get their funding from tuition paid by students, private and federal funding, grants, donations, and sponsorships from outside organizations.
The highest-paying job in New Jersey is orthopedic surgeon, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These professionals earn an average annual salary of $324,770 per year. You can start your path to this career with an associate degree, but you will need to pursue more education to become a doctor.
Yes, there are many public and private universities in New Jersey that community college students can transfer to after they complete their associate degree. Some of the best-known universities in New Jersey are Rutgers and Princeton.
New Jersey is sometimes referred to as the Garden State because it is a leading producer of blueberries, cranberries, and tomatoes. It’s also where music legends like Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, and Frank Sinatra are from.
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