Higher Education Options In Central Jersey
As you probably know, having an associate’s or bachelor’s degree can open up a lot of doors in today’s competitive job market. In fact, some might argue that a higher education degree is now a necessity. And while a degree is a good investment alone for getting a well-paying job, the college experience itself can be worth the price of admission. Luckily, there are many great options in Central New Jersey that cater to all sorts of education options. Here are some of the higher education institutes you have to choose from in Central Jersey.
Public Universities and Colleges
If you’re looking for a typical four-year degree, you’ll want to first look at state universities and colleges. Attending a publicly-funded school means that the school receives money from the government, which usually results in lower tuition fees. As far as the public universities and colleges available in Central New Jersey, you have some good options to choose from. At the top of the list is Rutgers University, which is the largest school in New Jersey. Rutgers is one of the oldest colleges in the United States and is home to some great philosophy, geology, and library science departments. Besides Rutgers, some of the other big public schools in Central Jersey are The College of New Jersey in Ewing and Thomas Edison State University in Trenton.
Private Schools
If you already have your mind made up on what you’d like to study, or you’re looking for a degree whose prestige will stand out a little more, you’ll instead want to have a look at private universities and colleges. While you can expect tuition fees to be a bit higher, this is usually a tradeoff for lower student-to-professor ratios and a more intimate social environment. Of course, the biggest private university in New Jersey is Princeton University, which has graduated some of the nation’s greatest leaders. This Ivy League school is notoriously difficult to get into, so it’s good to have some backups. Georgian Court University, Monmouth University, and Rider University are some more private schools located in Central New Jersey, each with its own perks.
Community Colleges
Community colleges sometimes catch flak for not being up to the standards you can expect from public and private four-year colleges. And while it’s true you won’t graduate with a top degree, community colleges have their merits. For one, they provide a cheaper option for getting your general education credits out of the way. And secondly, they still offer quality education, even if they don’t have quite the same level of prestige. As far as community colleges in Central New Jersey, your options include Ocean County College, Camden County College, and Brookdale Community College.
Clearly, there are a lot of options to choose from. Each school has its own advantages and disadvantages, as well as its own culture and feel to it. A higher education degree can do wonders for your employability, but you also want to be sure that you like where you’re studying. So, if you’re thinking about applying to one of these schools, do your research, visit campus, and make sure the school is the right fit for you.