NEWARK, NJ - While Rutgers University- New Brunswick has been ranked the No. 1 college in New Jersey by a national online education service, NJIT and Rutgers Newark came in No. 3 & No. 5, respectively.

The rankings released Monday by schools.com are based on an analysis of 13 different criteria.

Thirty-three 4-year schools in New Jersey were each scored on a 100-point scale using the most recent data available from government sources and based on metrics such as tuition and fees, number of degrees and certificates offered, flexibility, student services, and rates of student graduation, retention and transfer.

Sign Up for East Orange/Orange Newsletter Our newsletter delivers the local news that you can trust. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. You have successfully signed up for the TAPinto East Orange/Orange Newsletter.

The Top 10 of the Best 4-Year Colleges in New Jersey:

1. Rutgers University- New Brunswick;

2. New Jersey City University;

3. New Jersey Institute of Technology;

4. Ramapo College of New Jersey;





5. Rutgers University- Newark;

6. Stockton University;

7. Montclair State University;

8. The College of New Jersey;

9. Rutgers University – Camden;

10. Rowan University.

The complete rankings and methodology can be found online at http://www.schools.com/online-colleges/new-jersey

New Brunswick is home to the flagship campus of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. It was chartered as Queens College in 1766 and is one of the oldest 4-year institutions in the United States, with 250 years of educational experience. It is a leading research institution and encompasses 18 colleges and schools that represent every field of study.

“Rutgers University-New Brunswick has far and away the most degree programs available at any one institution in the state,” according to the online study. “In addition to ranking first for the number of programs, it also ranks second for the number of distance education options available. As one of the best online colleges for New Jersey, Rutgers Online offers a number of master's degrees as well as bachelor degree completion programs in nursing and business administration.”

The university also garnered top ten rankings for its average net price, the low median debt carried by graduates and its graduation rate.

Schools.com ranked 1,649 4-year colleges and universities in the U.S. Each school was scored on a 100-point scale, using the most recent data available from government sources. Data points included:

The in-state tuition and fees for full-time undergraduates, National Center for Education Statistics, 2015-16;

The estimated cost of books and supplies, National Center for Education Statistics, 2015-16;

The average net price for students receiving Title IV grant and scholarship aid, National Center for Education Statistics, 2014-15;

The average net price for low-income students receiving Title IV grant and scholarship aid, National Center for Education Statistics, 2014-15;

The average amount of institutional grant aid awarded to full-time, first-time undergraduate students as a percentage of in-state tuition and fees, National Center for Education Statistics, 2014-15;

Median debt of graduates, College Scorecard, 2014-15;

3-year student loan repayment rate of graduates, College Scorecard, 2014-15;

No. of degree and certificate programs offered, National Center for Education Statistics, 2015-16;

No. of degree and certificate programs offered via distance education, National Center for Education Statistics, 2015-16;

Percent of students enrolled in any distance education classes, National Center for Education Statistics, 2015-16;

Average retention rate for full-time and part-time students, National Center for Education Statistics, Fall 2015-16;

Graduation rate within six years, National Center for Education Statistics, 2015-16;

Flexibility and student services, based on whether the school offers the following services, National Center for Education Statistics, 2015-16;

Dual credit;

Credit for life experience;

Advanced Placement credit;

Programs of study that can be completed entirely on weekends or in the evening;

Remedial services;

Academic and career counseling;

Job placement services for graduates;

Guaranteed tuition plan;

Tuition payment plan;

Any other alternative tuition plan.

View the complete rankings and methodology online at http://www.schools.com/online-colleges/new-jersey

Schools.com features in-depth sections with faculty and working professional interviews, campus tours, and national education news and a source for news on higher education topics and trends.