Last Updated: September 08, 2021
New Jersey - The Garden State
New Jersey is a state situated in the northeastern part of the US. It is the 11th most densely populated state in the country with an estimated population of around 9 million in 2021. New Jersey is also considered to be one of the finest states in the US to live in because of its safety, healthcare services, and high-quality education. The state was named after the Isle of Jersey in the Bay of St. Malo. The nickname 'The Garden State’ was coined by the famous New Jersey politician, Abraham Browning of Camden, in the year 1876, indicating the fertile lands, and the abundance of agricultural produce from the state.
New Jersey experiences a moderate climate where summers are mostly warm and humid, and the winters are generally extremely cold. Trenton is the capital city of New Jersey. The state is an industrial, political, and economic epicenter, and is also a melting pot of various cultures. Johnson & Johnson, Prudential Financial, Merck, Beckton Dickinson, Cognizant Technology Solutions are some of the Fortune 500 companies located in the state of New Jersey. Given that the state has such industrial prominence and a great education system, New Jersey is unquestionably one of the best choices for establishing a promising career.
Major Cities in New Jersey
Newark
Newark is one of the oldest cities in the United States and was founded by the Puritans in the year 1666. This is the biggest and most populated city in the state and is popular as a well-planned city with great opportunities for entrepreneurs. The headquarters of major companies like Audible, PSEG, and Panasonic are located here. It is a major center for manufacturing various goods like leather goods, rubber, jewelry, furniture, machinery, and so on. Newark is also known for its extensive transportation system, with the Newark International Airport being one of the busiest airports in the country located here, along with major seaports.
Jersey City
Jersey City is the second-largest city in the state of New Jersey. It was first founded in the year 1609 by the English navigator Henry Hudson and was established as a city in the year 1820. It is a vibrant city known for its cultural diversity and tourist attractions. Popular tourist destinations include Liberty State Park, Mana Contemporary, Liberty Science Center, MoRA Museum of Russian Art, Empty Sky Memorial, Katyń Memorial, and a lot more. Jersey City is also a transportation and economic hub and is known as the 'Wall Street West' of the state because of its numerous financial centers.
Paterson
Paterson is the third-largest city of New Jersey and belongs to Passaic County. Paterson was founded by Alexander Hamilton in the year 1792 and was established as a city in 1851. However, it was reincorporated as a city in the year 1861. The city had numerous silk mills, and it was a major industry in the past, which is why it got its nickname 'Silk City'. The population is around 160,000 in the year 2021. It has always been a center for a large number of immigrants who would come to the city for employment and is still known to be culturally diverse. Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, Lambert Castle, Paterson Museum, American Labor Museum Inc, Passaic Falls, etc., are popular tourist destinations in this city.
Elizabeth
This is the fourth-largest city in New Jersey, and its population is estimated to be around 130,000. Elizabeth used to be the capital city of the state and was founded in the year 1664. The city was named after the wife of Sir George Carteret. Just like the other cities of the state, the city of Elizabeth is also prominent as a transportation and economic epicenter. Retail Trade, Health Care, Lodging, Food Service are some of the leading sectors in the city. The Boxwood Hall State Historic Site, Liberty Hall Museum, Warinanco Park, Branch Brook Park, South Mountain - Fairy Trail, are some of the most popular tourist destinations in the city of Elizabeth.
Economy/Job Market
- New Jersey state is known as an industrial, political, and economic epicenter, and some of the Fortune 500 companies like Johnson & Johnson, Prudential Financial, Merck, Beckton Dickinson, Cognizant Technology Solutions are located in the state of New Jersey.
- Agriculture used to be a leading sector in the state and still contributes to the economy. Major crops including potatoes, asparagus, bell peppers, eggplant, as well as blueberries, cranberries, and peaches are grown here.
- Pharmaceuticals, finance, technology, advanced manufacturing, telecommunications, and tourism are major economic sectors in the state of New Jersey.
- New Jersey was a state known for its booming economy, but after the onset of the deadly covid-19 pandemic, it suffered a major loss. Various startups and small-scale businesses were hit hard.
- With an economic growth rate of 5.6% and a 7.5% unemployment rate (according to reports by the Bureau of Labor Statistics), it is behind many other states.
Tuition Fee and Living Costs in New Jersey
- The quality of education is undoubtedly one of the best in the state of New Jersey, but it can also be slightly expensive to pursue education in some of the most reputed institutes.
- Out-of-state students should be aware of the differences in the fee structure when it comes to enrolling in public universities, as they usually charge double the amount of the in-state tuition fee.
- However, this is not the case for private universities, and even though it is on the more expensive side, the costs are the same for all.
- For instance, the tuition fee for undergraduates in Princeton University is about $56,000 for all, whereas Rutgers University-New Brunswick charges around $17,000 (for in-state students) and about $35,000 (for out-of-state students).
- The median household income in the state of New Jersey in the year 2021 is around $82,000.
- When taking into consideration the cost of living in this state, it should be known that New Jersey is quite an expensive place to live in. Prices in big cities tend to be even higher.
- The taxes in New Jersey are also among the highest in the country. After groceries and utilities, the cost of transportation and housing is the highest in New Jersey when compared to the national average. Healthcare is the only sector that costs lower than the national average.
List of major Universities/Colleges
- Princeton University This is one of the most prestigious and oldest institutions in the US and is located at Princeton. It is a private institute and also an Ivy League research university that was established in the year 1746. The tuition fee for undergraduates in this institution is around $56,000. F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jeff Bezos, Michelle Obama, Woodrow Wilson, are some of the most notable alumni of this institution. With over 1,200 faculty members and over 8,500 students, the student-to-faculty ratio is 5:1.
- Rutgers University-New Brunswick Founded in the year 1766, this public university is also one of the oldest institutes of higher learning in the country. The main campus is situated in New Brunswick. It is popular for its strong research, excellent faculty, and friendly environment that involves a diverse community. The tuition fee for undergraduates in this university is $17,000(in-state) and $35,000 (out-of-state). With around 6,800 renowned faculty members and above 57,000 students, the student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1.
- Stevens Institute of Technology This is a reputed private research institute located in Hoboken, in the state of New Jersey. The institute was established in the year 1870. It was named after the inventor Edwin A. Stevens whose family was popularly called "America's First Family of Inventors" who made groundbreaking changes in the area of engineering. The institute succeeded in keeping the family name and the legacy alive by highlighting the vision of invention and innovation. With around 300 stellar faculty members and above 7,000 students, the student-to-faculty ratio is 11:1. The institute promises strong careers for its students by emphasizing the quality of learning what they love, and loving what they learn and do. Through a strong curriculum that promotes interdisciplinary learning, the institute gives way to high research that makes students capable of creating innovative solutions for new problems using technology.
- New Jersey Institute of Technology This is a renowned public research institute that was founded in the year 1881. New Jersey Institute of Technology is located in the city of Newark and was initially called the Newark Technical School. The tuition fee in this institute for undergraduates is around $19,000 for instate students and around $36,000 for out-of-state students. With above 120 degree programs for graduates and undergraduates, outstanding education, high research, and amazing faculty, this institute sticks to its aim of preparing students to become leaders. The institute also offers a wide range of courses from STEM to Arts and Humanities, making education as interdisciplinary as possible, giving way for a well-rounded development in students. With above 13,000 students on the campus, the student-to-teacher ratio is 16:1.
Scholarships/Financial Aid for Students
While living in a state where the cost of living is high, and where pursuing quality education can be expensive, remaining burdened by debts is the last thing a student would want. To do away with such circumstances, there are various scholarship programs or gift aid offered by the state or the individual universities that will help students. Students need to be well-informed about the scholarship programs offered by their institutions through the bursar office, or regularly check the respective websites for specific grants. Before applying for any such scholarship program, students are required to apply for (FAFSA) Free Application For Federal Student Aid so that it will be easy to determine which candidate is most eligible for the award.
- Governor’s Industry Vocations Scholarship for Women & Minorities:
The Governor’s Industry Vocations Scholarship for Women & Minorities is a scholarship program initiated by the State of New Jersey HESAA. This program is to assist students who are women or who are a part of a minority (Black, Hispanic, Asian, or American Indian). To be qualified for the program, the students need to pursue any one of the majors that include architecture, engineering, electrical trade, carpentry, industrial technology, masonry, welding, plumbing, construction technology, surveying technology, etc. The candidate should be a student of any technical or vocational institution in New Jersey. They should also be a resident of the state for at least a year and demonstrate dire financial need. The award amount is $2,000 annually.
- Urban Scholars Program: This is a scholarship program for those students who will be completing high school, and are planning to attend an accredited institution in the state of New Jersey. Being a program based on need and merit, students will be evaluated based on their academic excellence, as well as the level of financial need. The candidate is required to score a GPA of 3.00 or more and be a part of the top 5.0% of the class. This is a program applicable to New Jersey residents.
- New Jersey Tuition Aid Grant (TAG): This is a grant offered to undergraduate students, and is offered by the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. The amount of award may vary from $2,700 to $13,000 every year. To be qualified for the grant, the candidate should be a citizen of the US, should be a permanent resident of the state of New Jersey or establish residency at least a year before enrolling for a program, should not pursue a program related to theology or divinity, have decent scores academically, should attend an accredited institution within the state, and demonstrate financial need.
Tourism
New Jersey is a vibrant state with rich, diverse cultures and has people from all over the world not just to live here, but also to explore and enjoy as tourists. Apart from the highly sought-after entertainment center, the Atlantic city, there are numerous amazing places to visit such as Liberty State Park, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Princeton Battlefield State Park, the Adventure Aquarium, Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Liberty Science Center, Casino Pier, and Breakwater Beach Water Park, Six Flags Great Adventure and Wild Safari, and so much more. Considering that the state experiences hot and humid summers and harshly cold winters, it is best to visit and explore the 'Garden State' at the onset of summer before July, or during September and October.
Universities & Colleges in New Jersey
*UG - Undergraduate
*G - Graduate
*in - In-state Fees
*out - Out-of-State Fees
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