

New Jersey City University (NJCU) traces its origins to a teacher-training school established in Jersey City in 1927. Its progression from a normal school to a teachers college, then Jersey City State College, reflects an expansion beyond teacher preparation. It adopted the New Jersey City University name in 1998.
That history helps explain the university's mix of education programs and other undergraduate and graduate fields, including business, nursing, the arts and sciences. NJCU has long served students in an urban part of New Jersey where commuting and transfer enrollment are important parts of college life. Because institutional arrangements can change, applicants should confirm the current institution administering their intended program and the name that will appear on their degree before enrolling.
NJCU organizes its academic programs across the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, College of Professional Studies, and School of Business. Prospective students can explore bachelor's and graduate study in fields ranging from biology, psychology and the arts to teacher preparation, nursing, criminal justice, accounting and management.
The academic unit matters because requirements differ substantially by major. A prospective teacher, for example, needs to consider certification requirements and field placements as well as the degree itself; a nursing applicant should examine clinical requirements and the particular admissions route. Some programs also have prerequisites or separate progression standards. The university's current academic catalog is the appropriate place to compare required courses, available concentrations and the credential awarded, especially for students planning to transfer.
NJCU is based in Jersey City, New Jersey, with its main campus along John F. Kennedy Boulevard. Its urban location gives students access to the wider Jersey City area and New York City, but commuting time and transportation costs can be significant parts of an individual schedule and budget.
Most students commute rather than live on campus. Applicants who expect to use public transportation should check the route to their actual classes, not simply the route to the main campus: university activities and programs may use other Jersey City locations. Students who drive should review current parking rules and costs. Newark Liberty International Airport is the nearest major airport, a practical consideration chiefly for students traveling from farther away.
NJCU describes its educational purpose in terms of accessible public higher education, academic opportunity and service to a diverse urban community. Its stated priorities include helping students develop disciplinary knowledge, professional skills and the capacity to participate in civic life.
These are institutional aims, not measures of what every student experiences. Applicants can assess how they translate into practice by looking at the curriculum in their major, advising access, required experiential learning and the support available for their particular circumstances. NJCU is a public university, not a religiously affiliated institution.
Name of the institution
New Jersey City UniversityLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PublicSetting type
City: LargeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
5,000 - 9,999School type
UniversityMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1927New Jersey City 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.
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Post-master's certificate
Doctor's degree - research/scholarshipData last updated on November 2, 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.