Rutgers University is a public land-grant research university founded in 1766, with a current undergraduate enrollment of roughly 35,000. The university is the second-oldest institution of higher education in New Jersey and, with campuses in New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden, is the largest university in the state. Rutgers’ tuition and fees for in-state students are less than half the cost of those for out-of-state students, making it an affordable option for NJ residents. 

Rutgers has a variety of extracurricular opportunities for students including a study abroad office that offers programs in over 50 different countries. Beyond academics, Rutgers’ Scarlet Knights athletic teams compete in the BIG10, and enjoys a local football rivalry with Princeton. Rutgers University is made up of 175 academic departments including competitive medical, dental, and English programs. 

The main university campus is in a suburban setting and sprawls over 2,500 acres. Classes follow a semester-based academic calendar and the current student-faculty ratio at Rutgers is 16:1, which is low for a large state institution. Rutgers students get to enjoy a vibrant food and bar scene in New Brunswick and are only a train ride away from both New York City and Philadelphia. Notable alumni include U.S. Women’s National Team player Carli Lloyd, actor James Gandolfini, and American economist, Milton Friedman