Ten years ago — long before the pandemic showed online learning should be a major part of any school’s offering — Kean University launched the Kean Online unit of Kean Global.
Designed to foster a comfortable and engaging learning environment, Kean Online programs are well suited for both students new to online education and experienced online learners. The unit now offers 15 majors and nine minors, along with nine graduate programs and various certificate programs.
On Tuesday, Kean and many other New Jersey schools were honored by U.S. News & World Report in its 2026 Best Online Programs rankings.
“This recognition speaks to Kean’s mission of expanding access to high-quality education,” Kean President Lamont Repollet said. “Our growing online programs empower students to pursue and complete their degrees on their own schedule, from wherever they are. It’s about removing barriers and supporting success, whether students are balancing work, family or other commitments.”
The rankings evaluate online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs at regionally accredited institutions.
The Best Online Programs include rankings of bachelor’s programs as well as the following master’s-level disciplines: MBA, business (non-MBA), computer science information technology (including computer science), criminal justice/criminology, education, engineering and nursing.
U.S. News said that, while the methodologies are different for each discipline, they all incorporate metrics specific to online learning.
“Most of the undergraduate programs in the Best Online Programs rankings are degree completion programs, meaning the vast majority of their students already have some college credit,” Eric Brooks, principal data analyst at U.S. News, said. “The methodology is developed with those students in mind, setting these rankings apart from those that are focused on recent high school graduates pursuing higher education for the first time.”
Here’s a look at how New Jersey schools ranked in certain categories (some are tied for their spots):
Bachelor’s Degree:
No. 29: Rutgers University – Camden, Camden
No. 56: Montclair State University, Montclair
No. 63: William Paterson University, Wayne
No. 77: Rowan University, Glassboro
No. 169: Berkeley College, Woodland Park
No. 169: Kean University, Union
MBA:
No. 71: Rutgers University–Camden, Rutgers School of Business Camden, Camden
No. 78: Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken
No. 107: Montclair State University, Montclair
No. 107: Rowan University (Rohrer), Glassboro
No. 136: New Jersey Institute of Technology (Tuchman), Newark
No. 178: William Paterson University (Cotsakos), Wayne
Graduate Business:
No. 12: Rutgers University–New Brunswick and Newark, Newark
No. 45: Rutgers University–Camden, Rutgers School of Business Camden, Camden
No. 53: Montclair State University, Montclair
No. 53: Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken
No. 96: New Jersey Institute of Technology (Tuchman), Newark
No. 96: Rider University (Brodsky), Lawrenceville
No. 125: Rowan University (Rohrer), Glassboro
No. 141: William Paterson University (Cotsakos), Wayne
Graduate Education:
No. 5: Montclair State University, Montclair
No. 64: Seton Hall University, South Orange
No. 97: Rowan University, Glassboro
No. 97: Rutgers University, New Brunswick
No. 133: Monmouth University, West Long Branch
No. 145: Rider University, Lawrenceville
No. 157: William Paterson University, Wayne
Graduate Engineering:
No. 38: Stevens Institute of Technology (Schaefer), Hoboken
No. 58: Rowan University (Rowan), Glassboro
No. 67: New Jersey Institute of Technology (Wu), Newark
Graduation Information Technology:
No. 22: Stevens Institute of Technology (Schaefer), Hoboken
No 38: New Jersey Institute of Technology (Wu), Newark
Graduate Criminal Justice:
No. 10: Saint Elizabeth University, Morristown
No. 59: Rowan University, Glassboro
Graduate Nursing:
No. 35: Seton Hall University, Nutley
No. 62: Montclair State University, Montclair
No. 105: Rowan University, Glassboro
No. 109: Felician University, Lodi
No. 114: Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck
No. 114: William Paterson University, Wayne
No. 135: Ramapo College of New Jersey, Mahwah
