21 Best Universities In New Jersey For International Students 2025

New Jersey is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in United States. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 21 universities and colleges in New Jersey, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 21 universities in New Jersey, Princeton University and Rutgers University are the top-performing schools in New Jersey. This list covers both public and private institutions in New Jersey.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in New Jersey. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in New Jersey.

How do I get admission to the best universities in New Jersey?

Applying to the universities in New Jersey involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in New Jersey to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in New Jersey?

Tuition fees at New Jersey’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 9,556 USD to 61,000 USD , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 10,500 USD to 57,500 USD. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in New Jersey!

As we cover the best universities in New Jersey for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in New Jersey for International Students

Princeton University is known as one of the top-leading universities in the world. It was established in 1746 as the College of New Jersey and became the fourth older higher education institution in the United States. As one of the Ivy League universities in the country, Princeton University offers first-class academic instruction and professional training in multiple disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. The institution is also known for its elite sports team, the Princeton Tigers, which have won many national and Olympic competitions. On top of that, the university also houses many modern and world-class research facilities and training centers.

With nearly 70,000 students, Rutgers University is one of the largest universities in New Jersey. It operates four campuses, including those in New Brunswick and Camden. Founded as a private institution in 1766, it later became a public institution after merging with several colleges. With numerous departments, centers, and institutes dedicated to research and education, Rutgers University has significantly contributed to science, technology, engineering, and other fields of study.

Stevens Institute of Technology is one of the oldest technological universities in the country. It was the first college in America that solely focused on the mechanical engineering course. Students who want to excel in science and technology attend this institution to experience outstanding education.

Seton Hall University is a leading Catholic university in the country. Since its establishment, it has produced thousands of excellent graduates with compassionate hearts and wise minds. The university aims to be able to preserve the catholic principles while also keeping up with the emerging technological advancement.

Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) is one of the most prominent institutions in the state of New Jersey. The university offers more than 100 multidisciplinary programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. FDU educates its students on different campuses: two in New Jersey and two campuses outside the US, which are located in Canada and England. Indeed, this global university is fully committed to generating world-class leaders, experts, and innovators by providing high education standards.

With a vast number of programs and outstanding facilities that support students’ academic and professional development, Montclair State University has been dubbed “New Jersey’s best public university”. Many activities, such as leadership programs and volunteer programs, also occur around campus to help students get more involved in the community. Montclair State is also known to be an excellent research institution in the country.

Rowan University started as the Glassboro Normal School in 1923 before beginning the transition to university in 1992. More than 150 programs are available at Rowan University, including MD and DO courses. It is among the few institutions in the US to offer both of those programs. Eight colleges comprise the university, allowing it to welcome 22,000+ students in a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

New Jersey’s Monmouth University is committed to providing students with excellent learning opportunities both in and out of the classroom. Aside from extensive programs and a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1, Monmouth also takes pride in its athletic community. Life on campus is made vibrant through a vast number of activities and organizations for students to enjoy, too.

The College of New Jersey was founded in 1855 in Ewing Township, New Jersey, and is one of the leading public colleges in the region. It currently has seven schools offering over 50 study programs in the liberal arts and applied sciences. Classes at the university are characterized by smaller groups to increase interaction and for students and faculty to develop closer connections. 

William Paterson University was initially founded as the Paterson City Normal School for teacher education and training. In 1937, the university started offering other professional degrees, including nursing and business education, until finally opening its first graduate program in 1955. Since then, the institution grew and prospered and was awarded its university status in 1997.

Rider University is an institution that excels in student engagement and teaching. It provides a fun-filled environment where students can express themselves freely and contribute to society through research. The private university is best for business, arts, and science students.

Stockton University was named after one of the signatories of the Declaration of Independence. It is among the best universities in its area, placing 34th in the Regional Universities North ranking by US News. Besides its Galloway campus, Stockton also has locations in Atlantic City, Hammonton, Manahawkin, and Woodbine.

Drew University helps students find their purpose with its comprehensive program offerings. It has gained the nickname “University in the Forest” since the woods surround its campus. Students find the university hospitable and welcoming, especially to international applicants.

Kean University was the first public higher education institution in New Jersey and the only public university in the country to have a campus in China. The university is currently made up of over 16,000 students enrolled in more than 50 programs in both undergraduate and graduate studies. They boast of their world-class education system that is both affordable and accessible.

Ramapo College of New Jersey is one of the state’s premier public liberal arts colleges. It highly aims to intensify the students learning by challenging their critical thinking and research curiosity. The institution heavily emphasizes collaborative teaching and coordinates with multiple universities nationwide. The college maintains a vibrant, hands-on environment for both domestic and international students.

New Jersey City University (NJCU) was initially established as a teachers’ training school in 1927. And today, it has expanded to provide educational programs in various fields of study such as education, business, and arts and sciences. In addition, the university highly promotes multiculturism within its campus. NJCU has a welcoming student body, one of New Jersey’s most diverse learning communities.

Located in Jersey City, a place with a flourishing economy filled with thousands of job opportunities, Saint Peter’s University is a private institution with a Jesuit tradition. Its five schools offer 50 bachelor’s degrees and about 20 master’s degrees. Its education is designed to have a core curriculum for developing soft skills and studying the humanities and sciences, along with off-campus experiences through community service and career fairs. Also, this university is widely known for its student organizations and sports teams, notably the basketball, golf, and soccer teams that have earned multiple national titles.

Thomas Edison State University was specifically created to address the needs of adult students that had a hard time completing their degrees at traditional institutions. It offers flexible and affordable options, such as online degree programs, easy-to-adapt schedules, and the acceptance of non-academic credits for transfer, like credits from work experience or portfolios. This university is known in Trenton for its beautiful campus that features historical buildings and a wide variety of art.

Caldwell University currently has over 2,200 students from over 60 countries, including the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Jamaica. Life at Caldwell is filled with different opportunities for professional athletics, recreational sports, interest clubs, organizations, and Greek-letter organizations. Different services are also offered in the university, such as bookstores, libraries, fitness centers, health service centers, academic support buildings, and student housing. The school guides itself with Catholic beliefs and traditions, bridging technical knowledge with spiritual thinking.

Georgian Court University is a private institution that still maintains the values of its Catholic roots, which include service, justice, integrity, and compassion. Their liberal arts curriculum focuses on its broad character but also makes sure to provide specialized tools for students who want to pursue a career in certain fields. It offers 37 bachelor’s degree programs and 15 master’s degree programs with different concentrations available both on-campus and online. The university also has special programs and modern facilities, like the Women in Leadership Development program or their Arboretum.

Centenary University is a private university in New Jersey that offers programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Founded in 1867, the school has a beautiful campus that has student parking, dining areas, modern facilities, and classrooms that allow for a healthy learning environment. The student community is diverse, inclusive, and welcoming which many students appreciate.