Rutgers University

Originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766, Rutgers University is one of the nine oldest "colonial" colleges founded prior to America's independence from Britain. Although once affiliated with the Dutch Reformed Church, Rutgers was designated a public land-grant college under the Morrill Act of 1862. Today, Rutgers stands as an academic and research powerhouse generating over $700 million annually in R&D expenditures. Rutgers University is headquartered on a 2,688-acre urban campus in New Brunswick, but has satellite locations in Newark and Camden. In over 175 academic departments, Rutgers enrolls around 45,000 undergraduates and 20,000 post-graduates as New Jersey's largest college.

According to the U.S. News, Rutgers is ranked the 72nd best national university and 28th top public school for 2016. In particular, Rutgers University is noted for America's 56th best engineering school, 49th top earth sciences programs, and 68th best biology programs. Forbes lauded Rutgers as the 68th best college in the Northeast. Business Insider crowned Rutgers the 43rd smartest public college. Rutgers University produces the 10th most Fortune 500 CEOs nationally. Payscale lauded Rutgers as the 17th best public research school for salary potential. The Times Higher Education also dubbed Rutgers the 123rd top global university.

Rutgers University Accreditation Details

Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, is institutionally accredited through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). This is one of six regionally accrediting agencies for the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Engineering programs, including those at Rutgers Energy Institute, are approved via the Accreditation Council for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Management degrees meet the standards of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Certain science programs are aligned with the American Chemical Society (ACS), National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), and American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

Rutgers University Application Requirements

With an acceptance rate of 60 percent, Rutgers University has a more selective admissions process. First-year applicants must be graduating or have graduated with a state-approved high school diploma. Homeschooled students can submit a Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR). Acquiring the General Educational Development (GED) is also acceptable. Rutgers requires 16 prerequisites, including four years English, three years math, two years science, two years foreign language, and five other academic courses. Admitted students have an average high school GPA of 3.63. On average, freshmen have scored 1808 on the SAT and 30 on the ACT.

Students who have completed 12 or more credits at another regionally accredited college could qualify for transfer. Incoming transfers must carry a minimum collegiate GPA of 2.0. Those with an associate's degree from a New Jersey community college should consult the NJTransfer program. International applicants must score at least 80 on the Internet-based TOEFL or 6.5 on the IELTS exam. Graduate students applying to Rutgers must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited university. Most master's and PhD programs require a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of undergraduate studies. Taking the GRE, MAT, or GMAT may be required.

Prior to the February 15th final deadline, students wishing to attend Rutgers University and learn at the Rutgers Energy Institute should submit:

• Completed online admissions form
• $65 non-refundable application fee
• One official transcript from each school attended
• Two to three letters of recommendation
• Official college entrance exam scores
• English proficiency test reports (if applicable)
• Personal statement of career objectives

Tuition and Financial Aid

Full-time undergraduates living in New Jersey will pay $11,217 each year. Non-resident undergrad students are charged $26,607 for full-time tuition annually. Undergraduate fees are estimated at $2,914 each year. Annual room and board is $12,054. Total cost of full-time attendance is $26,185 (in-state) or $41,575 (out-of-state) at Rutgers. At the graduate level, New Jersey residents are billed $678 per credit or $8,136 each full-time semester. Out-of-state graduate students must afford $1,152 per credit or $13,824 for every full-time semester. Grad students should also budget for the $157 computer fee, $798 campus fee, and $82 school fee.

Around 71 percent of beginning full-time Rutgers students receive financial aid. Institutional packages often include borrowing Federal Perkins, Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized, or Grad PLUS loans. Alternative/private loans are accepted. Federal Work-Study (FWS) and graduate assistantships provide funding for employment. Some students qualify for the Pell Grant, FSEOG Grant, SMART Grant, or Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant. New Jersey residents should apply for the Tuition Aid Grant and Educational Opportunity Fund. Fellowships are granted via Rutgers University's Graduate School. Scholarships are also numerous, including the Freshman Merit Scholarship, Kirsch Scholarship, Transfer Student Scholarship, and L'Hommedieu Scholarship.

Rutgers Energy Institute

Located in New Brunswick, the Rutgers Energy Institute (REI) was founded in 2006 to engage in cutting-edge research pertaining to advanced solar and wind energy technologies. The REI strives to help the United States reduce its carbon footprint and find alternatives to fossil fuels. Faculty members in the REI come from various disciplines, including public policy, marine science, physics, chemistry, engineering, and economics. The Rutgers Energy Institute operates the EcoComplex, part of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. The Rutgers Climate Institute is also included within the REI to battle global warming.

Celebrating 10 years, the Annual Energy Symposium is held every spring to draw in notable industry experts for addressing topics related to energy science. Students are able to learn about new methods and initiatives being developed by international energy thinkers. There's an Energy Policy Seminar Series that hosts weekly lectures when school's in session. Rutgers University also offers a yearly Energy Innovation Contest through the REI. Undergraduates compete for three awards valued at $2,500, $1,500, and $1,000 by submitting original energy reduction plans. Winning ideas will be applied by the Rutgers Energy Institute to help make the campus carbon neutral by the goal year of 2030.

The Rutgers Energy Institute offers New Jersey's only Graduate Certificate in Energy for master's or Ph.D. students in any academic major. For the certificate, students engage in classes on climate change, sustainability, industrial ecology, environmental planning, energy policy, natural resources management, and alternate energy systems. During the summer, undergraduates at Rutgers can complete a 12-week REI Internship. The full-time internship provides a $5,000 stipend for carrying out research on energy challenges. Students from any major can apply by submitting two recommendations and a two-page research plan. The REI at Rutgers University provides the perfect backdrop for finding breakthroughs on energy use.