

Monmouth University began as Monmouth Junior College in 1933 and became a university in 1995. Its evolution from a two-year college to an institution offering undergraduate and graduate degrees helps explain the range of programs available today.
The institution became Monmouth College in 1956, after expanding beyond its original junior-college role. Its campus in West Long Branch includes the Great Hall, a historic building associated with the former Shadow Lawn estate. The university's history is therefore visible not only in its name changes but also in buildings that remain part of campus life.
Monmouth University organizes its academic programs across six schools spanning the liberal arts, sciences, business, education, social work, and health professions. Students can pursue bachelor's and graduate study, with program requirements determined by the school and degree.
The schools are the Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Leon Hess Business School, School of Education, School of Science, School of Social Work, and Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing and Health Studies. Representative fields include communication, biology, computer science, business, teacher education, social work, and nursing.
Applicants comparing majors should look beyond the program name to its curriculum and any admission rules. Clinical placements, teacher preparation, and other professionally oriented programs may have progression requirements that differ from general university admission.
Monmouth University is in West Long Branch, New Jersey, near the Jersey Shore. Its suburban setting gives students access to nearby communities while making transportation an important consideration, particularly for commuters and off-campus internships.
The university is in Monmouth County, with Long Branch and other shore-area destinations nearby. Regional rail service is available through stations outside campus, but students should check the connection between a station and their classes rather than assume they can walk the entire trip. Newark Liberty International Airport is a regional air-travel option. First-year students are permitted to register a car for campus parking, subject to university parking rules.
Monmouth University describes its educational mission in terms of teaching, scholarship, and preparing students for professional and civic life. Its stated priorities emphasize learning across disciplines and engagement beyond the classroom; these are institutional goals, not measured outcomes for every student.
That approach is reflected in its mix of liberal-arts and professional programs. A prospective student can assess how the mission applies to a particular major by examining its course sequence, opportunities for research or field experience, and access to academic advising.
Name of the institution
Monmouth UniversityLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
Suburb: LargeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
1,000 - 4,999School type
UniversityMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1933Monmouth University is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of less than 1 year
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Post-master's certificate
Doctor's degree - professional practiceData last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.