Ramapo College of New Jersey: A Comprehensive Overview

Ramapo College of New Jersey (RCNJ), located in Mahwah, New Jersey, stands as the state’s premier public liberal arts college. Established in 1969, Ramapo combines academic excellence, mentoring, hands-on learning, and affordability to help students thrive from day one. The college is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. It emphasizes teaching and individual attention to all students.

History and Location

Ramapo College's origins are rooted in the late 1960s when the New Jersey Department of Higher Education authorized the establishment of a new state college in Bergen County. The criteria for the new college's location were sufficient land for the construction of current needs and future expansion, and proximity to at least one major highway. The former Birch Estate in Mahwah was chosen for its proximity to Route 17 and mountainous surroundings.

The Ramapo Valley, where the college is located, has a rich history. In the late 19th century, the Ramapo Valley was developed for large estates by many wealthy families. The valley is named after the Ramapough, a band of the Lenape Indians. Theodore Havemeyer, a founder of the American Sugar Company, purchased and renovated a home in the area in the 1870s and developed more than 1,000 acres surrounding the mansion into a farm.

Academics

Ramapo College offers bachelor's degrees in the arts, business, the social and natural sciences, and the humanities, as well as in professional studies programs such as nursing and social work. Undergraduate students may choose to concentrate their studies in one of five schools with more than 40 academic programs. Eleven programs are offered leading to a master's degree: M.S. in Accounting (MSAC), M.F.A in Creative Music Technology, M.S. in Data Science, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Social Work (MSW), Master of Arts in Educational Leadership (MAEL), M.S. in Applied Mathematics (MSAM), Master of Science in Educational Technology (MSET), Master of Arts in Special Education (MASE), M.S. in Nursing (MSN), and a Master of Science in Accounting (MSAC). The college also offers a physician assistant (B.S./M.S.) and physical therapy (B.S./D.P.T.) with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey; a B.A./Master's degree program in Art Therapy with Caldwell University; a B.S./Doctor of Chiropractic with New York Chiropractic College; a B.S./D.D.S. and a B.S./D.M.D.

With more than 40 academic majors in the arts, sciences, business, and social sciences, students explore big ideas while gaining the flexibility to shape their future. The most popular majors are business, nursing, and communications. Small class sizes and a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio mean professors know students by name, mentor them personally, and challenge them to think in bold new ways.

Ramapo College received accreditation from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools in 1975. Individual programs also received accreditation. In 2021, the educator preparation provider (EPP) at Ramapo received full accreditation by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). In 2020, a team from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) visited campus. After reviewing the College’s self-study and its corresponding evidence, the MSCHE visiting team determined that Ramapo College met all of the Commission’s Standards for Accreditation. In addition, the team did not give the College any recommendations or requirements. The College joins an elite group of institutions with less than five percent of business schools worldwide earning the accreditation distinction of its business degree program by the Board of Directors of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). In 2023, the Council on Social Work Education reaffirmed accreditation, with no recommendations for change, for both the undergraduate and graduate programs in Social Work.

Faculty Mentorship

At Ramapo, professors are more than teachers; they’re guides who invest in student success. Whether collaborating on a research project, mapping out career goals, or preparing for graduate school, professors support students every step of the way.

Hands-On Learning

Learning here is interactive and practical. With over 500 internships, co-ops, and study-abroad programs, Ramapo prepares graduates to succeed in today’s job market. From interning in New York City to conducting research in labs and exploring cultures abroad, students develop the skills and confidence that distinguish them.

Campus Environment

Ramapo College's 300-acre campus is located approximately 32 miles from New York City, offering a blend of natural beauty and accessibility to urban opportunities. The campus includes dozens of modern academic buildings, offices, eating facilities, and athletic playing fields and gyms. It also features an array of theaters and art galleries. Named one of the “50 most beautiful campuses in the nation,” Ramapo offers mountain views, top-ranked residence halls, and a lively campus life with student clubs, organizations, and Division III athletics. Beyond campus, adventure is close; hike and ski nearby or travel just 35 miles to New York City for internships, culture, and entertainment.

The campus maintains impressive facilities including the Anisfield School of Business Building; the Adler Center for Nursing Excellence; the Academic Complex which consists of updated classroom, research and simulation laboratory space; the Sharp Sustainability Education Center; the Angelica and Russ Berrie Center for Performing and Visual Arts; the Les Paul Music Studio, and the Peter P. Mercer Learning Commons. The Peter P. Mercer Learning Commons is the most recent addition to our 300+ acre campus, and is home to the George T. Potter Library. The facility includes the Library collection, ample meeting spaces, study space, classrooms, state-of-the-art research capabilities, and can refuel at Common Grounds, which serves Starbucks coffee. The Spiritual Center, located next to Kameron Pond, opened in the spring of 2010.

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Student Life

With a community of 6,000 students, Ramapo is the perfect size-large enough for opportunities but small enough to feel personal. Ramapo isn’t just a college; it’s a place where creativity and individuality are celebrated, ambitions are supported, and bold ideas shape the future. From traditions like the Arching Ceremony to strong friendships and faculty mentorships, students create experiences that last a lifetime. The “welcoming and engaged” student body creates the feeling of a “home away from home.” It’s hard not to feel that way when surrounded by “supportive and positive students who want to learn and succeed” together. Plus, the inclusivity helps: “The college not only amplifies diversity with culture, but with race, age, and acceptance of the LGBTQ community.”

There are “endless events offered to commuter and resident students” as well as “so many amazing activities-free of charge!” There’s trivia, karaoke, concerts, and sporting events, as well as a robust Greek life that draws many students. On the other hand, for those looking for time to themselves, there are “many quiet areas if you want to be alone to study.” In the warm weather, students can hike in the nearby nature reserve and many are found “sitting outside on the benches or in the grassy areas.”

Athletics

Ramapo College teams are named the Roadrunners. The university has 8 men's teams and 12 women's teams, and participates in NCAA Division III sports. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country running, soccer, swimming, track and field, and volleyball. Women's athletic teams at Ramapo College consist of basketball, cheerleading, cross country running, dance, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, track and field, and volleyball. The men's basketball team won the 2017 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) championship and advanced to the NCAA Division III playoffs.

Scholarships and Affordability

Affordability is a key part of the Ramapo experience. Generous aid packages include:

Border State Scholarship: $10,000 for students from NY, PA, CT, and DE
Housing Scholarship: An Additional $4,000 for students living on campus
Additional Support: FAFSA, merit-based awards, and flexible payment plans

The quality and value of a Ramapo College education is consistently acknowledged through numerous rankings, awards and accolades. Ramapo has been named among the top three (after Princeton and Stevens Institute of Technology) and #1 among the public institutions in New Jersey in College Choice’s ranking. Ramapo is recognized as a “Military Friendly School” by Viqtory Media, in the Guide to Military Friendly Schools and ranked as one of the nation’s Best Bachelor’s in Social Work by College Choice. Ramapo also is recognized as a Top 10 ranked college for highest return on investment by Affordable Colleges Online. Niche.com has again named Ramapo’s campus housing Number One in New Jersey and ranked the College campus third best in the state.

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Accreditation and Rankings

Ramapo College has received numerous awards and accolades. Ramapo College of New Jersey was recently ranked by College Choice as #1 among the nine public NJ colleges and #3 overall in the state. News & World Report and, for the 13th consecutive year, is ranked among the 100 Best Values in Public Colleges by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine, an accolade that only three public institutions in NJ received. Ramapo is recognized as a “Military Friendly School” by Victory Media in the Guide to Military Friendly Schools and ranked as one of the nation’s Best Bachelor’s in Social Work by College Choice. Ramapo College joins an elite group of institutions with less than five percent of business schools worldwide earning the accreditation distinction of its business degree program by the Board of Directors of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International).

Notable Alumni

Ramapo College has produced a number of successful alumni in various fields, including:

Ron Cephas Jones (1957-2023), Emmy Award-winning actor known for This is Us, Mr.
Lauren H. Carson, Rhode Island General Assembly.
Jeff Bradley, sports journalist.
Tim Eustace, New Jersey Assemblyman.
Don La Greca, ESPN New York 98.7FM host.
Grace Helbig, YouTube comedian.
Mark Leiter, former Major League Baseball pitcher.
Todd Lowber, former NFL player.
Joshua Orwa Ojode, Kenyan politician.
Kevin J. Rooney, New Jersey Assemblyman.
Jay Seals, actor.
Dave Brock, college football coach.
Laura McCullough, poet.
Murray Sabrin, economist.
Rick Stickles, musician.

Leadership

Dr. Cindy R. Jebb became the College’s fifth president on July 6, 2021. A Board of Trustees appointed by the Governor of the State governs the College. The chair of the board is Susan A.

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