Best Online Master’s Programs in New Jersey 2025

Badge for BEST ONLINE MASTER'S IN NEW JERSEY

By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Chloe Dembski

Published: May 11, 2022
Updated: Nov 13, 2024

Key Takeaways

There are numerous colleges in New Jersey that offer master’s degrees that can be completed entirely online.
Financial services, manufacturing, and healthcare are among the biggest industries in New Jersey, and there are a number of fully online master’s programs that can open career opportunities within these sectors.
An online master’s degree in New Jersey is a perfect option for busy working professionals.

Table of Contents

Top 10 Online Master's Programs in New Jersey in 2025

Stevens Institute of Technology
+1
Seton Hall University
–1
Rutgers University–Camden
New Jersey Institute of Technology
+1
Montclair State University
+1
Rowan University
–2
Rider University
Kean University
Rutgers University–New Brunswick
+1
William Paterson University
–1

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.

In 2025, the top ten schools in our ranking of the best online master’s programs in New Jersey saw a considerable amount of movement. The Stevens Institute of Technology gained the top ranking position as the university has secured $7.25 million in New Jersey’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget to expand its artificial intelligence (AI) and computer science programs, supporting the growth of education and research in these high-demand fields.

Additionally, plans have been revealed for a new 13-story development to replace the existing Davis Hall, featuring academic and research facilities alongside student housing, aiming to provide modern amenities and foster a vibrant campus environment.

A master’s degree helps you stand out from the fiercely competitive global work market. In the 1980s, a bachelor’s degree was all that was needed to get entry-level work as a student services coordinator, academic adviser, or admissions counselor. Today, candidates without a master’s degree are often not considered for even these entry-level jobs.

Of all education levels, the number of jobs that generally require a master’s degree will grow at the quickest rate of 17% between 2016 and 2026. A master’s degree is becoming the new standard for employment in several fields, including public affairs, social services, and higher education administration.

A graduate degree cannot guarantee success, but it can increase job opportunities significantly. Data from the US Department of Education shows that the unemployment rate for holders of a graduate degree is 3% compared with 5% for those with only bachelor’s degrees.

Featured Programs

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. 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 graduate 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.

What are New Jersey’s Colleges & Universities?

New Jersey’s Best Overall

Best Online Master’s Program in New Jersey

Student Submitted Questions About Online Master’s Programs in New Jersey

How Much Does an Online Master’s Degree Cost?

An online master’s degree costs about $40,000 for the average grad student. However, the cost of your online master’s degree will depend on the type of grad school you attend.

In 2020-2021, the average cost for a year of in-state tuition in a public grad school was $12,394. The average cost for a year of tuition in private, non-profit grad school was $28,445.

An online master’s degree will usually cost about the same as a traditional master’s degree. Some schools will charge 5-10% more for online courses. This added cost pays for the technology and specialized training needed for online instruction.

But getting a master’s degree online can also help you save money. The costs above don’t include expenses like housing, transportation, or certain campus fees. As an online grad student, you can save a lot of money by avoiding these added expenses.

What can I expect from an online college course in New Jersey?

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require some adjustment. While you’ll generally learn the same content and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, the medium will likely require you to manage much of this experience independently.

You’ll be accountable for your own time management, your ability to harness the technology at your fingertips, and your ability to focus on the lectures, lessons, and assignments at hand. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take it upon yourself to build relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

Will employers in New Jersey respect my online degree?

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript or resume differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

While some employers may express concern about adjusting online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st-century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech-savvy.

What are the advantages of online classes?

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or a quiet conference room at work.

In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities and educational experiences that you can complete on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials.

And, of course, just as some learners prefer the energy of a live classroom, some learn best when working in their personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

What are the disadvantages of online classes?

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will require some adjustment.

While there is much that can be supplanted or simulated through online learning, some students may find that there is nothing that can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual classroom setting. As you adjust to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face is overcoming this difference in order to get the most out of your classes. Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

Why should you pursue a master’s degree in New Jersey?

Some of the highest taxes in the US are found in New Jersey. Because of its proximity to New York City and its high population density, the state also has some extremely expensive house prices. Notwithstanding this, the Garden State has plenty to offer: New Jersey’s educational system is among the best in the Northeast, and the state’s economy is steadily growing.

You can study in New Jersey as an online student without moving to the state. This means that you can still pursue an advanced degree in the state and benefit from opportunities offered by the college or university without experiencing the high cost of living there.

However, you should know that out-of-state students pay up to three times as much as in-state costs. But for many prospective graduate students, the educational costs outweigh the benefits they’ll reap.

Recent data from 2022 Statista has shown that the gross domestic product of New Jersey skyrocketed to $581.7 billion. This is a significant 2.6% increase from the state’s 2021 GDP, which means that businesses and industries within New Jersey have been able to adapt and thrive despite the uncertainties of recent times.

With this economy, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to obtain the highest possible ROI on your master’s degree!

Networking opportunities are another clear advantage of earning a master’s degree in New Jersey. Students seeking a master’s degree in New Jersey, especially an MBA, can access a wide range of professional networks due to the state’s diverse business and industry landscape. Being in an area with a variety of firms and industries offers a distinct edge, and networking is a crucial part of job progression.

The Most Thriving Industries in New Jersey

One way to ensure a high ROI in your education is to align it with the state’s fastest-growing industries. This strategic alignment can increase your marketability to the state’s top employers, potentially leading to more job opportunities and competitive salaries. It often results in a quicker and more seamless transition from education to employment.

According to New Jersey’s Labor and Employment Relations Market, the state’s top GDP growth drivers are:

Biopharmaceutical & Life Sciences
Transportation, Distribution, Logistics
Financial Services
Retail Trade Industry
Manufacturing
Health Care
Technology
Construction and Energy
Leisure and Hospitality

As you can see, New Jersey has a strong economy with many robust sectors in various fields. This is why it’s ranked the ninth-largest GDP of states in the nation.

Educational Resources for Prospective Students in New Jersey

New Jersey Center for Teaching & Learning (NJCTL)

This non-profit is committed to enhancing STEM education, aiming to improve student learning outcomes and teacher effectiveness. It offers resources, creative curricula, and professional development opportunities to educators in New Jersey and abroad.

NJ Edge

NJ Edge is a non-profit technology consortium that provides services to New Jersey’s academic and research institutions. Its main goal is to help member institutions’ academic and research needs by developing technology infrastructure and services. NJ Edge offers access to cutting-edge technologies, collaboration opportunities, and shared resources.

Virtual Academic Library Environment of New Jersey(VALE NJ)

A cooperative effort between the state’s university libraries is called VALE NJ. VALE NJ encourages cooperation and resource sharing among member institutions to improve library services and resources. Through this partnership, academic libraries can use their combined knowledge to negotiate license arrangements for electronic resources at a reasonable cost and offer improved services to researchers, instructors, and students.

New Jersey Next Stop

This program aims to assist professionals and students in investigating career and educational options within the state. New Jersey Next Stop is a thorough resource for anyone seeking information about school opportunities, job paths, or tools for skill development.

New Jersey Higher Education Partnership for Sustainability

The state’s higher education institutions are working together to encourage environmentally responsible behavior and sustainable practices. The main objective of this alliance is to integrate sustainability ideas into academic programs, campus operations, and community engagement projects.

New Jersey’s Best Grad Programs in Your Area Interest

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Best Online Master’s Programs in New Jersey 2025

Key Takeaways

Top 10 Online Master's Programs in New Jersey in 2025

2025 Ranking Update

Featured Programs

Colleges and Universities in New Jersey

What are New Jersey’s Colleges & Universities?

Best Online Master’s Program in New Jersey

Last Year’s Ranking:

Career Outlook for degree at Stevens Institute of Technology

Online Master’s Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Seton Hall University

Online Master’s Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Rutgers University–Camden

Online Master’s Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at New Jersey Institute of Technology

Online Master’s Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Montclair State University

Online Master’s Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Rowan University

Online Master’s Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Rider University

Online Master’s Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Kean University

Online Master’s Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Rutgers University–New Brunswick

Online Master’s Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at William Paterson University

Online Master’s Degrees

Concentrations

Concentrations

Concentrations

Concentrations

Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Saint Peter's University

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Career Outlook for degree at New Jersey City University

Online Master’s Degrees

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Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Thomas Edison State University

Online Master’s Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Georgian Court University

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Career Outlook for degree at Caldwell University

Online Master’s Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Felician University

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Career Outlook for degree at Centenary University

Online Master’s Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Saint Elizabeth University

Online Master’s Degrees

Student Submitted Questions About Online Master’s Programs in New Jersey

How Much Does an Online Master’s Degree Cost?

What can I expect from an online college course in New Jersey?

Will employers in New Jersey respect my online degree?

What are the advantages of online classes?

What are the disadvantages of online classes?

Why should you pursue a master’s degree in New Jersey?

The Most Thriving Industries in New Jersey

Educational Resources for Prospective Students in New Jersey

New Jersey Center for Teaching & Learning (NJCTL)

Virtual Academic Library Environment of New Jersey(VALE NJ)

New Jersey’s Best Grad Programs in Your Area Interest