New Jersey City University

What New Jersey City University does

New Jersey City University is a public, state-supported comprehensive university founded in 1927 in Jersey City, New Jersey, operating as the oldest minority-serving and Hispanic-serving institution in New Jersey. It serves approximately 8,000 students (pre-merger) through 59 undergraduate programs, 36 graduate degrees, two doctoral programs, and numerous certificate programs delivered across a main campus on Kennedy Boulevard, a Harborside School of Business location, and a Wall Township site at Brookdale Community College. Its core technology infrastructure is standard for higher education — Blackboard LMS for online and distance learning, supplemented by a Uwill teletherapy partnership for mental health services and Cisco/SHI cybersecurity tooling for the Department of Professional Security Studies.

The university's revenue model is multi-stream: recurring tuition and fees (one of the most affordable rates in New Jersey), state stabilization funding ($17 million over two fiscal years), state-backed capital facilities grants ($250 million via bond programs), federal financial aid distribution (Pell Grants, federal loans, work-study), and partnership-driven grant funding (e.g., $1 million USDA grant). Its go-to-market is community-led and event-driven: articulation agreements with Hudson County, Essex County, and Mercer County Community Colleges for transfer pathways; dual-enrollment and partnership programs with Jersey City Public Schools; community organization partnerships (BLOC Foundation, GLACO consulates); and direct admissions via open houses, campus visits, and recruitment events.

NJCU serves a highly diverse, economically disadvantaged student population (54% first-generation, 45% Latino, 21% Black, median household income $42,000), and has been ranked No. 1 public university in New Jersey by Washington Monthly (2025) and Top 20 nationally on CollegeNET's Social Mobility Index for two consecutive years. The institution is undergoing a historic merger with Kean University, scheduled to close July 1, 2026, creating "Kean Jersey City" with approximately 24,500 combined students. Pre-merger restructuring includes at least 151 layoffs driven by a $25 million annual budget gap, partially offset by a Moody's upgrade to Baa3 investment-grade status in March 2026 and approximately $35 million in recent debt reduction.

Name

New Jersey City University

Legal name

New Jersey City University

Website

https://njcu.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1927

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

New Jersey City University is a public comprehensive university in Jersey City, NJ, founded in 1927, serving approximately 8,000 students — 54% first-generation, 45% Latino — through 59 undergraduate and 36 graduate programs, and undergoing a merger with Kean University closing July 1, 2026.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Research Universities with Comprehensive Graduate & Professional Schools (EDAHAAAF)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Graduate degree programs
• Online distance learning
• Workforce training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Jersey City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue from undergraduate and graduate tuition, with one of the most affordable tuition rates in New Jersey state.
2. State Funding and Grants: $17 million in state stabilization funding over two fiscal years, $250 million capital facilities grant funding through state-backed revolving bond programs.
3. Financial Aid Programs: Distribution of federal and state financial aid including Pell Grants, Federal Loans, Federal Work Study, and institutional scholarships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

New Jersey City University is a comprehensive public university offering 59 undergraduate programs, 36 graduate degrees, two doctoral programs, and numerous certificate programs across disciplines including business, education, arts and sciences, cybersecurity, and nursing. The university serves approximately 8,000 students across its Jersey City main campus, Harborside, and Wall Township locations, supplemented by online learning and workforce training programs targeting underrepresented populations.

Product overview

New Jersey City University is a comprehensive public university offering a unified academic portfolio of 59 undergraduate programs, 36 graduate degrees, two doctoral programs, and numerous certificate programs. The university operates through distinct colleges including the Deborah Cannon Partridge Wolfe College of Education, School of Business, and William Maxwell College of Arts and Sciences. Specialized programs include cybersecurity training (Department of Professional Security Studies with Cisco/SHI partnerships), nursing education, and educational technology doctorates. Supporting services encompass 24/7 mental health counseling (via Uwill partnership), financial aid programs, TheDream.US scholarship, study abroad opportunities, and graduate assistantships. The university is undergoing a historic merger with Kean University scheduled to complete July 1, 2026, forming 'Kean Jersey City' serving approximately 24,500 students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• A. Harry Moore Laboratory School: Laboratory school providing educational services and programs
• Kean Jersey City

Products and services

• Undergraduate Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• No. 1 public university in New Jersey, No. 54 nationally in Washington Monthly 2025 Master's University Rankings
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kean UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Historic merger integrating NJCU into Kean University, creating Kean Jersey City. Merger closing July 1, 2026, with final regulatory review by U.S. Department of Education in August 2026. Advanced by Middle States Commission on Higher Education approval. Designed to address NJCU's fiscal challenges while ensuring long-term access to public higher education in Jersey City.
• Fundación Universidad de las Américas, PueblaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 November 2025MOU signed during Governor Phil Murphy's mission to Mexico City, facilitated by Choose New Jersey, strengthening higher education collaboration.
• Caucasus UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 September 2025Comprehensive agreement expanding academic partnership to include five new dual degree programs, strengthening international education connections.
• The BLOC FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Conversion of underused campus space into workforce training hub offering 16-week construction training programs to underrepresented women and marginalized groups. Each cohort serving 25-30 participants with wraparound support including child care, stipends, and job placement services. Targeting 150-200 certifications annually. Effective Fall 2025, continuing after merger with Kean.
• Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Faculty exchange program established spring 2025 with support from Guarini Institute, marking dynamic collaboration in international education.
• Jersey City Board of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 November 2024Academic articulation agreement to enhance Visual and Performing Arts Program. JCPS will lease space in NJCU's Grossnickle Hall and gain access to university facilities including Margaret Williams Theatre, along with dual-credit programming. NJCU provides 20% tuition discount for JCPS employees and their families.
• A. Harry Moore Laboratory SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 October 2024Launch of A. Harry Moore School Life Independence and Future Transitions (LIFT) program on NJCU campus in Grossnickle Hall. Joint partnership supporting students with disabilities through transition programming.
• GLACO (Grupo Latinoamericano de Cónsules en Nueva Jersey)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2023Partnership with Latin American consulates to provide consular services and launch new portal for first-generation college students. Continued partnership in 2026 for FIFA World Cup consular services.
• Hudson County Building and Construction Trades CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2023Historic Project Labor Agreement providing internships to NJCU students and ensuring all university construction projects exceeding $5 million be completed by union labor. Extended in March 2025.
• UwillcoreTechnology or IntegrationTeletherapy partnership providing 24/7 mental health support to approximately 5,500 NJCU students. Resulted in 30% increase in student engagement during evenings, weekends and breaks with nearly 150 students seeking support every two weeks.
• TheDream.USminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with nation's largest college and career success program for undocumented immigrant students. Provides scholarships up to $33,000 total for bachelor's degree for Dreamers with or without DACA or TPS.
• New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to advance New Jersey's leadership in emerging technologies through FinTech and Sports Wagering Innovation Center.
• Jersey City Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnhanced partnership including the President's Community Advisory Council established August 2024. Multiple MOUs with NJEA, Jersey City POBA, Boys & Girls Clubs of Hudson County.
• Hudson County Community CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGroundbreaking Hudson Connect Program enabling seamless transfer pathways. Similar agreements with Essex County College and Mercer County Community College.
• Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (SHCCNJ)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU to enhance educational and professional opportunities and expand Hispanic business hub activities.
• Hudson County Latin American Chamber of Commerce (HCLACC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGroundbreaking partnership to forge collaborative initiatives supporting business and educational community.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Kean University: Public New Jersey state university and NJCU's merger partner (forming Kean Jersey City in July 2026). Comparable size, mission, and governance as a public NJ four-year institution serving diverse student populations in the NY metro area.
• Montclair State University: Large public NJ state university serving a similarly diverse, commuter-heavy student body in the NY metropolitan area. Comparable scale, public mission, and graduate program portfolio.
• Rowan University: Public NJ state university with comparable comprehensive undergraduate and graduate program offerings and similar enrollment scale. Both institutions compete for the same regional talent pool in southern/northern New Jersey.
• William Paterson University: Public NJ state university with similar enrollment size and a comparable mix of undergraduate and graduate programs. Overlap with NJCU in serving diverse, first-generation, and transfer students in the NY metro area.
• New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT): Public NJ research university located in Newark with comparable STEM and professional programs. Both institutions compete for the same urban, diverse student population in the NY metro region.
• Stockton University: Public NJ state university with comparable size and program mix. Both institutions operate as regional comprehensive public universities serving New Jersey's diverse student populations.
• Ramapo College of New Jersey: Public NJ state college with comparable enrollment scale and a similar mission serving diverse student populations. Both institutions emphasize affordability, transfer-friendliness, and social mobility.
• Rutgers University-Newark: Urban public research university campus located minutes from NJCU in Newark. Comparable minority-serving mission, urban commuter student base, and graduate program offerings in the NY metro area.

Broad incumbents

• CUNY City College: Historic urban public college within CUNY system serving a similarly diverse, minority-majority student population in New York City. Comparable Hispanic/minority-serving mission and commuter urban student base, with CUNYAC athletic conference overlap following NJCU's conference realignment.

Regional players

• University of Massachusetts Boston: Urban public research university with a comparable mission serving diverse, first-generation, and commuter students in a major Northeast metropolitan area. Comparable scale, minority-serving profile, and public comprehensive university model, though operating in a different geographic market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NJCUniversity
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/NJCUTUBE
• Facebookfacebook.com/NewJerseyCityUniversity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/new-jersey-city-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/njcuniversity

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about New Jersey City University