Ramapo College of New Jersey (RCNJ)

Established in 1969, Ramapo College is New Jersey's Public Liberal Arts College, dedicated to providing students a strong foundation for a lifetime of achievement and preparing them to be successful leaders for a changing world.

Ramapo College offers bachelor's degrees in the arts, business, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include nursing, social work, and teacher certification at the elementary and secondary levels. Ramapo College also offers eight graduate programs, with four of the eight programs, having 4+1 accelerated completion options as well as articulated programs with other reputable institutions.

Ramapo College of New Jersey is sometimes mistaken for a private college. This is, in part, due to its unique interdisciplinary academic structure, its size of approximately 6,100 students and its pastoral setting in the foothills of the Ramapo Mountains on the New Jersey/New York border. Ramapo College students receive an elite education at the cost of a public college.

The College is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. The international mission is accomplished through a wide range of study abroad and student exchange links with institutions all over the world. Additional experiential programs include extensive internships, co-ops and service learning.

The College's interdisciplinary commitment helps students push intellectual boundaries; our commitment to experiential, hands-on learning allows students to push personal and professional boundaries as well. The devotion of our faculty to attentive teaching and mentoring empowers students to learn actively and attain the skills they will need to succeed professionally and to become lifelong learners.

Ramapo College is committed to maintaining strength and opportunity through diversity of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and economic background among faculty, staff, and students. Barrier-free, the College maintains a continuing commitment to persons with disabilities.

At Ramapo College, student clubs and organizations are recognized as important parts of the total learning experience. Students are urged to take advantage of the many opportunities available that allows for learning experiences beyond class time.

There are more than 100 groups including cultural, academic, religious, recreational, entertainment, political, social and special interest groups. Clubs and organizations at Ramapo College are run by students under the general supervision of the Center for Student Involvement. Each group operates under its own constitution, according to the interests and enthusiasm of its membership. All welcome new members, new ideas and new directions. Many groups can provide valuable experience and connections to the job market.

Ramapo College offers intramural sports, club sports, 18 NCAA Division III sport teams, 30 honor societies, and 21 fraternities and sororities.

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.� So, while a majority of the campus hails from New Jersey and is predominantly white, there is still a noticeable variation in backgrounds socially, economically, politically, and academically. And everyone on campus “works hard to share their culture with others as well as to learn from others.� One student commenting on diversity goes so far as to say, “It is truly a role model school, and its achievements should serve as a basis for other universities and colleges.� As another puts it, with so “many types of people . . . it would be difficult to not find a group to hang out with.� Here you’ll find that “the people across any and all majors … are the strength of [the] school� and provide an “extremely accepting� community.

Ramapo College may be only thirty-two miles from New York City, but it boasts a scenic campus with “quite beautiful� mountain views. Dorms get high marks and the campus “architecture is breathtaking,� but the benefits extend beyond just those who live on campus too. 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.� As for nightlife, slightly “restrictive� residence policies make house parties fairly uncommon, but those that do occur are “very low key and small in size.� Off-campus, those from all disciplines take advantage of the school’s proximity to New York City, taking day trips to The Whitney and Metropolitan Museum of Art. In sum, campus life is “very laid back most of the time�; you “get your homework done and hang out with friends�—however you choose to do that is up to you.