New Jersey’s Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship

New Jersey’s Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship

What are the best colleges and universities in New Jersey if you reward schools for making the best use of their limited resources? Academic Stewardship asks how effectively schools manage their financial and human resources to gain the influence that makes them academically excellent. Schools that are exemplary in Academic Stewardship are doing everything in their power to help students and faculty achieve their full potential.

Colleges and universities in New Jersey deserve to be recognized when they do more with less. It’s impressive when a large wealthy school can spend money lavishly on expensive buildings and programs. But it’s even more impressive when a small school with limited means is able to train and inspire students that the larger wealthier schools tend to ignore.

The American Association of Colleges and Universities reported in late 2021 that almost 75 percent of higher-education professionals at US colleges and universities felt financial constraints prevented their schools from effectively attracting students. Distracted by the size and amenities of larger schools, prospective students tended especially to be overawed by the big research universities.

New Jersey’s smaller colleges, especially its liberal arts colleges, need effective ways of communicating their value to a world that celebrates “bigger is better” and “you need the best.” Unfortunately, most college ranking companies, such as U.S. News & World Report, define “best” in a way that devalues schools with smaller budgets and fewer students even when these schools do remarkable work in advancing their students’ education. By and large, college rankings penalize schools that serve underserved populations.

Inspired by Malcolm Gladwell, who for years now has criticized conventional college rankings for misrepresenting what’s good and valuable in education, we decided to construct a new ranking metric that highlights those schools that do more with less. That metric—called the Academic Stewardship metric—takes away both the size and the wealth advantage of schools, and focuses instead on how well schools use the resources available to them to advance the education of their students.

How We Measure the Academic Stewardship of New Jersey’s Colleges and Universities

New Jersey's Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship
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As a metric, Academic Stewardship is defined by a precise mathematical formula, which can be found in our Academic Stewardship white paper. Measuring the Academic Stewardship of New Jersey’s colleges requires measuring two forms of stewardship: 1) Stewardship of financial resources (using the money they have responsibility without waste) and 2) Stewardship of human resources (doing their best to help students, faculty, and administration to flourish). Together, these two types of stewardship form what we call  Academic Stewardship. If you want to learn more about the factors involved in Academic Stewardship, click the more button below.

  1. Stewardship of financial resources: To determine a school’s stewardship of financial resources, we factored in its undergraduate size, budget, endowments and reserves, as well as tuition and fees. All these data are available from the National Center for Educational Statistics Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. In addition, we factored in a school’s financial responsibility as gauged by the Federal Student Aid Office at the US Department of Education through its financial responsibility composite scores.
  2. Stewardship of human resources: To determine a school’s stewardship of human resources, we used our InfluenceRanking engine to track the influence of the school’s faculty and alumni but also to control for size of the undergraduate student body. We’ve found that measuring a school’s influence based on the contributions of faculty and alumni make in their fields of study but then also controlling for size of the undergraduate population is the single best indicator of academic excellence. We call this Concentrated Influence. Schools that rank highly in Concentrated Influence are schools that, given their available human resources, invest heavily in their students and faculty, and the results are demonstrable.
    • We measure the influence of colleges and universities based on the publications and citations of the schools’ faculty and alumni who are teaching in and working in areas related to their degrees. To do this, we take publicly available databases, such as Semantic Scholar, Crossref, and Wikipedia and use these to measure the influence of academics in their disciplines. Having measured the influence of persons, we then identify the schools that they’re affiliated with, adding up the influence scores of the faculty and alumni to measure the influence of the schools and their disciplinary programs. Finally, we control these influence scores by size of undergraduate student body so that schools do not score high in influence simply because of a size advantage. We lay out these methodological considerations on our methodology page.
  3. Academic Stewardship: Having measured a school’s stewardship of financial and human resources in the two previous points, we now divide the second measure by the first to define the Academic Stewardship metric. This metric spotlights smaller schools, with fewer financial resources and people, that invest wisely and do proportionately better in building influence than large wealthy schools. Many of these smaller, less wealthy schools are incentivized to make better use of their resources but would never get recognized in conventional school rankings, which directly or indirectly put a premium on the wealth of schools.

Academic Stewardship as so defined is connected to keeping tuition and other costs down, but it should not be confused with affordability or frugality. The schools that this metric ranks as exemplary academic stewards tend to be all over the map when it comes to tuition and other costs. At issue is the influence of schools given the financial and human resources they have on hand. If a school is going to charge more for tuition, then that needs to be reflected in the school having proportionately greater influence.

Why Academic Stewardship Matters to Students and Their Families

The benefits of attending a school with strong academic stewardship include:

  • A clear reason for why students are at the school in the first place. Without the distraction of amenities and luxuries, these schools are at once unpretentious but also passionately committed to their educational mission. The schools in this ranking are financially efficient and academically rigorous. By avoiding frills, these schools take the most direct path to accomplishing their mission of educating students.
  • Valuing character over prestige and self-indulgence. A school that’s a good steward of its resources doesn’t instill shame in its students over what they are missing (such as elite cuisine) but rather pride in what they have and making the most of it. These schools exhibit a culture of good stewardship, which tends to build good character in the students that attend these schools.
  • Avoiding the spoiled-student syndrome. It’s easy to think that offering students endless options and opportunities will enrich their time at school in every way. But spoiling people—whether in business, sports, or academics—has the opposite effect, causing people to take their advantages for granted and in the end achieving less than they might otherwise, a point well-documented in Daniel Coyle’s The Talent Code. Schools exhibiting academic stewardship avoid this pitfall.
  • The best schools vs. the schools that help students to be their best. Students at schools demonstrating outstanding academic stewardship aren’t so much concerned about being at the “best” school, whatever that may mean, as about being at a school that helps them to be their best. These schools pay attention to their students, hoping that any glory goes to them rather than to the school. Small schools, and especially liberal arts colleges, help themselves by communicating this advantage to prospective students.
  • Emphasizing development over talent and achievement. Schools like Harvard and Stanford have their pick of academic talent, and their students have a long record of achievement even before they apply to such elite schools. But if a school doesn’t have the resources of a Harvard or Stanford, how does it build a great team of students? In that case, it must focus on student development. Colleges exemplifying academic stewardship emphasize student growth and development, ensuring that the schools are doing everything in their power to help students reach their full potential and thereby become their best selves.
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New Jersey’s Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship

  1. #2

    Saint Peter's University

    Jersey City , NJ
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $39K

    Acceptance

    93%

    Graduation

    58%

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for degree at Saint Peter's University

    Cost of Degree: $39,890
    Expenses: $19,408
    Starting Salary: $50,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Saint Peter's University known for?

    Saint Peter's University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Saint Peter's University’s Online Degrees

    BSBA in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  2. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $16K

    Acceptance

    79%

    Graduation

    71%

    Student body

    8K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1075/20

    Career Outlook for degree at Rutgers University–Camden

    Cost of Degree: $16,112
    Expenses: $18,517
    Starting Salary: $68,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Rutgers University–Camden known for?

    Rutgers University–Camden’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Rutgers University–Camden’s Online Degrees

    BA in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Nursing: RN to BSN
    • Required Credits: 121
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  3. #5

    Rider University

    Lawrenceville , NJ
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    61%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1120/23

    Career Outlook for degree at Rider University

    Cost of Degree: $37,200
    Expenses: $19,630
    Starting Salary: $54,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Rider University’s Online Degrees

    BSBA in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BALS in Liberal Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSAHS in Allied Health Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Organizational Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  4. #7

    Princeton University

    Princeton , NJ
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    98%

    Student body

    8K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1510/33

    Career Outlook for degree at Princeton University

    Cost of Degree: $57,410
    Expenses: $23,005
    Starting Salary: $116,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  5. #8

    New Jersey City University

    Jersey City , NJ
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    39%

    Student body

    9K

    Career Outlook for degree at New Jersey City University

    Cost of Degree: $13,564
    Expenses: $21,708
    Starting Salary: $46,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is New Jersey City University known for?

    New Jersey City University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  6. #9

    Seton Hall University

    South Orange , NJ
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $47K

    Acceptance

    77%

    Graduation

    72%

    Student body

    11K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1230/27

    Career Outlook for degree at Seton Hall University

    Cost of Degree: $48,960
    Expenses: $20,532
    Starting Salary: $63,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  7. #10

    Monmouth University

    West Long Branch , NJ

    Tuition + fees

    $42K

    Acceptance

    84%

    Graduation

    69%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1125/23

    Career Outlook for degree at Monmouth University

    Cost of Degree: $43,216
    Expenses: $21,057
    Starting Salary: $55,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Monmouth University known for?

    Monmouth University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  8. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $18K

    Acceptance

    69%

    Graduation

    74%

    Student body

    14K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1295/28

    Career Outlook for degree at New Jersey Institute of Technology

    Cost of Degree: $18,512
    Expenses: $21,650
    Starting Salary: $70,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    New Jersey Institute of Technology’s Online Degrees

    BS in Business
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  9. Tuition + fees

    $17K

    Acceptance

    62%

    Graduation

    87%

    Student body

    9K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1230/27

    Career Outlook for degree at The College of New Jersey

    Cost of Degree: $17,978
    Expenses: $19,878
    Starting Salary: $64,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  10. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    12K

    Career Outlook for degree at William Paterson University

    Cost of Degree: $14,624
    Expenses: $17,900
    Starting Salary: $49,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    William Paterson University’s Online Degrees

    BA in Disability Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Liberal Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  11. #14

    Stockton University

    Galloway , NJ

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    76%

    Student body

    12K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1101/23

    Career Outlook for degree at Stockton University

    Cost of Degree: $15,188
    Expenses: $19,788
    Starting Salary: $50,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Stockton University known for?

    Stockton University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  12. #15

    Kean University

    Union , NJ
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    79%

    Graduation

    48%

    Student body

    16K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1010/19

    Career Outlook for degree at Kean University

    Cost of Degree: $12,972
    Expenses: $18,539
    Starting Salary: $48,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Kean University known for?

    Kean University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Kean University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Accounting
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Management- Entrepreneurship
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Management- Human Resources Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Management- Supply Chain
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Management-General Business
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Information Technology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  13. Tuition + fees

    $16K

    Acceptance

    68%

    Graduation

    84%

    Student body

    57K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1295/28

    Career Outlook for degree at Rutgers University–New Brunswick

    Cost of Degree: $16,263
    Expenses: $19,503
    Starting Salary: $68,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  14. #19

    Saint Elizabeth University

    Morristown , NJ

    Tuition + fees

    $35K

    Acceptance

    74%

    Graduation

    39%

    Student body

    1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Saint Elizabeth University

    Cost of Degree: $34,930
    Expenses: $18,444
    Starting Salary: $49,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Saint Elizabeth University known for?

    Saint Elizabeth University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  15. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    92%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    970/18

    Career Outlook for degree at Felician University

    Cost of Degree: $36,410
    Expenses: $18,070
    Starting Salary: $52,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Felician University known for?

    Felician University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Felician University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Accounting
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Marketing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Professional Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
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New Jersey’s Best Colleges in Your Area of Interest

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Colleges and Universities in New Jersey

Nearly half of the colleges and universities in this state are private, and tuition rates range from $6,000 to $52,000. With a graduation rate of 97% and a student population of just over 7,000, Princeton University is the state’s most esteemed institution. Narrowing in on the sciences and arts, this Ivy League school offers unique areas of study, including robotics, intelligent systems, and public life. The remaining 31 public colleges and universities range in tuition from $4,000 to $17,000.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

The state’s largest and top-ranked public research institution is Rutgers University. With campuses in New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden as well as smaller locations across the state, Rutgers awards degrees in physics, economics, criminal justice, and psychology. New Jersey also has 11 religiously affiliated colleges and universities, including the oldest diocesan university in the United States, Seton Hall University. This Roman Catholic university has a tuition rate of $42,000 and a student population of over 8,000.

New Jersey, known for its sandy shores and busy expressways, also has more diners than any other state in the U.S., as well as the world’s longest boardwalk, located in Atlantic City. Many influential people, including Buzz Aldrin, Frank Sinatra, and Thomas Edison, have called The Garden State home. Visitors can even peek at some of Edison’s early light bulbs at the Menlo Park Museum. And with 50 higher learning institutions to choose from, students can find a school that suits their career path and budget.

Learn more about earning your degree from one of New Jersey’s highly regarded colleges and universities.


What are New Jersey’s Colleges & Universities?

New Jersey’s Best Overall

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