New Jersey Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide
All New Jersey teachers must complete a state-approved teacher preparation program from an accredited school to teach in the state. Fortunately, several accredited colleges and universities offer these programs. Continue reading for a table of accredited, state-approved teacher preparation programs and curated lists of affordable and top-ranked options.
Table of Contents
- NJ Teacher Preparation Program Comparison
- 16 Affordable NJ Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Top-Ranked New Jersey Education Programs
- Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
Comparison of New Jersey Schools With Teacher Preparation Programs
The table below compares 27 New Jersey teacher preparation programs across key factors. All of the schools included are not-for-profit institutions approved by the New Jersey State Board of Education (NJDOE). Completing a state-approved program is a key step toward licensure. While Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accreditation is not required for licensure, we include it because CAEP is a nationally respected accreditor whose standards are recognized or accepted in many states.
Data includes enrollment, completion, and pass rates for traditional and alternative programs, based on the 2024 Title II Report (2022-2023 school year). Traditional programs are usually part of a bachelor’s degree, while alternative certification programs target career changers and may lead to a certificate or master’s degree. Many schools offer both—review our New Jersey traditional certification guide and our New Jersey alternative certification guide for more. Net price reflects the average annual cost for in-state undergraduates—tuition, books, room and board—minus grants and scholarships.
| State-Approved School | CAEP Accred.?1 | Trad. Teacher Program Enrollment2 | Trad. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers2 | Trad. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment2 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers2 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Net Price3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomfield College | Yes | 7 | 2 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $19,101 |
| Brookdale Community College | No | — | — | — | 365 | 80 | N.Av. | $8,893 |
| Caldwell University | Yes | 64 | 23 | 70% | — | — | — | $19,664 |
| Centenary University | Yes | 156 | 50 | 81% | — | — | — | $21,044 |
| Drew University | Yes | 25 | 12 | 100% | — | — | — | $28,218 |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University | Yes | 146 | 49 | 100% | 20 | 8 | N.Av. | $23,130 |
| Felician University | Yes | 14 | 14 | N.Av. | 6 | 6 | N.Av. | $17,825 |
| Georgian Court University | Yes | 102 | 41 | 97% | — | — | — | $20,736 |
| Kean University | Yes | 1287 | 296 | 67% | 39 | 11 | N.Av. | $17,401 |
| Monmouth University | Yes | 180 | 88 | 99% | 72 | 23 | 100% | $31,594 |
| Montclair State University | Yes | 823 | 312 | 89% | 167 | 58 | 100% | $15,061 |
| New Jersey City University | Yes | 138 | 49 | 98% | 527 | 297 | 90% | $14,029 |
| Pillar College | No | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | $19,708 |
| Princeton University | Yes | 30 | 4 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $18,685 |
| Ramapo College of New Jersey | Yes | 281 | 113 | 78% | — | — | — | $17,286 |
| Relay Graduate School of Education | No | 118 | 19 | 94% | — | — | — | $17,500 |
| Rider University | Yes | 313 | 118 | 94% | 11 | 3 | N.Av. | $29,396 |
| Rowan University | Yes | 1885 | 358 | 84% | 116 | — | — | $24,819 |
| Rutgers Graduate School of Education New Brunswick | Yes | 328 | 171 | 98% | 882 | 355 | 80% | $17,835 |
| Rutgers-Camden | Yes | 58 | 38 | 88% | — | — | — | $15,381 |
| Rutgers-Newark | Yes | 15 | 6 | N.Av. | 21 | — | — | $12,020 |
| Saint Elizabeth University | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | — | $20,121 |
| Saint Peter’s University | No | 147 | 63 | 71% | 79 | 25 | N.Av. | $16,487 |
| Seton Hall University | Yes | 255 | 85 | 81% | — | — | — | $33,652 |
| Stockton University | Yes | 397 | 151 | 93% | 82 | 17 | 100% | $20,526 |
| The College of New Jersey | Yes | 1316 | 370 | 91% | — | — | — | $24,617 |
| William Paterson University | Yes | 275 | 104 | 87% | 159 | 24 | N.Av. | $17,090 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Education Programs in New Jersey
Our list of the most affordable bachelor’s in education programs is based on the net price per year for undergraduate tuition. Net price is the average cost of attendance after grants and scholarships are applied. These 16 most affordable schools have a net price under $20,000.
- Brookdale Community College ($8,893)
- Rutgers-Newark ($12,020)
- New Jersey City University ($14,029)
- Montclair State University ($15,061)
- Rutgers-Camden ($15,381)
- Saint Peter’s University ($16,487)
- William Paterson University ($17,090)
- Ramapo College ($17,286)
- Kean University ($17,401)
- Relay Graduate School of Education ($17,500)
- Felician University ($17,825)
- Rutgers Graduate School of Education New Brunswick ($17,835)
- Princeton University ($18,685)
- Bloomfield College ($19,101)
- Caldwell University ($19,664)
- Pillar College ($19,708)4
Top-Ranked Schools With Education Programs in New Jersey
Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs in New Jersey
Our list of the top 10 bachelor’s in education programs is based on the traditional pathway pass rate data from the 2024 Title II Reports.
- Drew University (100%)
- Fairleigh Dickinson University (100%)
- Monmouth University (99%)
- New Jersey City University (98%)
- Rutgers Graduate School of Education New Brunswick (98%)
- Georgian Court University (97%)
- Relay Graduate School of Education (94%)
- Rider University (94%)
- Stockton University (93%)
- The College of New Jersey (91%)3
Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational level required to qualify for state certification, an associate degree can be the first step toward a career in education. It can qualify graduates for careers in non-licensed roles in early childhood education, after-school care, and related areas. The credits earned from an accredited associate degree program can also typically be transferred toward a bachelor’s degree. The 14 New Jersey schools below offer associate degrees in education.3 Schools with an asterisk (*) also offer four-year teaching programs and/or alternative route to certification programs.
- Atlantic Cape Community College
- Bergen Community College
- Brookdale Community College*
- Camden County College*
- County College of Morris
- Essex County College*
- Middlesex College*
- Passaic County Community College
- Raritan Valley Community College
- Rowan College of South Jersey
- Rowan College of South Jersey Cumberland Campus
- Salem Community College
- Sussex County Community College
- Warren Community College
References:
1. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
2. US Department of Education 2024 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
3. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/