Bachelor’s in communications programs in New Jersey keep flowering at 11 more MSCHE-accredited colleges across the “Garden State” for planting roots in an active media market. Generating a $568 billion GSP, New Jersey is the third-wealthiest state ranked 29th for growth prospects by Forbes. According to Nielsen, it’s located in the #1 biggest DMA, the New York Metro, with 7.348 million TV homes. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that New Jersey has 44,820 media-related jobs where average pay is $60,030. Undergraduate communications backgrounds come in handy at top 20 employers like Johnson & Johnson, CVS, Prudential, AT&T, Picatinny Arsenal, Inserra, JPMorgan, and more. Media outlets, such as the Star Ledger, Long Shot Productions, WKXW 101.5FM, First for Women, NBCUniversal, Asbury Park Press, and WJLP-TV, also hire this major. After perusing our list of Bachelor’s in Communications Programs in New Jersey (A-M), scroll through our second half of communications bachelor’s degrees (N-Z) in New Jersey for help making your storytelling talents blossom.
New Jersey Institute of Technology
College of Science & Liberal Arts
Stocking over 390,000 volumes in Robert W. Van Houten Library, the New Jersey Institute of Technology is a public, sea-grant polytechnic Atlantic Sun member founded in 1881 that’s reaping $140 million in research and training 11,400 Highlanders on its 48-acre “Brick City” campus. NJIT was declared America’s #1 most underrated college by Business Insider, 140th top university on the U.S. News & World Report, and 96th best value in Forbes. Also ranked 112th nationally on Niche, the College of Science & Liberal Arts reaps PayScale’s 27th highest ROI with one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in New Jersey costing $8,449 to $15,959 per semester.
B.A. Communication and Media
Accepting an average 1285 SAT or 26 ACT score, New Jersey Tech’s B.A. Communication and Media helps undergrads better portray narratives across diverse platforms. The 132-credit program chaired by Dr. Christopher Funkhouser, a 2005 Fulbright Scholar, integrates courses from Composing Web Documents to Oral Presentations with a senior project. Majors might also edit The Vector, pursue the Accelerated J.D., attend the HamSCI Workshop, work in the Center for Information Protection, earn Dorman Honors, join the Coptic Society, and intern at DreamPlay.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Cullimore Hall 425
323 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd.
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 596-6335
christopher.t.funkhouser@njit.edu
Pillar College
General Education Division
Bestowed the 2016 NCLC Excellence & Leadership Award, Pillar College is the state’s sole private, accredited evangelical Christian institution founded in 1908 by the Pillar of Fire Church that’s endowed for $946,918 to enroll 473 Panthers on the seventh floor of Military Park Building. Pillar was graded “B” for diversity on Niche, placed in America’s 20th best city for education by Forbes, and ranked among the 50 best Bible schools on Christian Universities Online. The General Education Division has 100 percent acceptance into one of the faith-based bachelor’s in communications programs in New Jersey that can take just 20 months for LEAD adults.
Bachelor of Arts in Intercultural Communication
Presently priced at $23,176 annually, Pillar’s Bachelor of Arts in Intercultural Communication maintains a 14:1 student-faculty ratio under Prof. Elaine Sanders to teach strategies for establishing global channels of dialogue. The 120-credit degree builds on a Biblical core with four specializations: Public Relations, Radio/TV, Community Development, or Journalism. Undergrads could also broadcast on Star 99.1FM, attend the Leadership Forum, take El Programa BLEND, venture to South Africa, add the Winning Women Certificate, and join Urban Impact.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE)
Contact
60 Park Place, Suite 701
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 242-3282
esanders@pillar.ed
Ramapo College of New Jersey
School of Contemporary Arts
Publishing 22 issues of The Ramapo News annually since 1969, Ramapo College of New Jersey is a public, civic-engaged liberal arts COPLAC member that’s budgeting $164 million to engage 6,008 Roadrunners in 539 course offerings at its 300-acre Appalachia campus in Bergen County. RCNJ was proclaimed America’s 287th hardest college on Niche, 136th best value in Money magazine, and 146th top university by the Social Mobility Index. The School of Contemporary Arts grants one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in New Jersey with 95 percent placement at Bray Entertainment, SiriusXM, Oxford University Press, Viacom, CNN, and more.
Communication Arts Major
Coordinated by Dr. Peter Campbell, the 2011 Henry Bischoff Award recipient, Ramapo’s Communication Arts Major introduces the multimedia methods to produce creative messages. The 128-credit B.A. currently charges $14,080 to $23,214 per year for five tracks: Digital Filmmaking, Global Communication, Journalism, Writing, or Visual Communication Design. Students can exchange to Anglia Ruskin University, practice at the Les Paul Sound Studio, perform in Sharp Theater, join Lambda Pi Eta, deejay on WRPR 90.3FM, and compete for the Design Derby too.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Berrie Center 236
505 Ramapo Valley Road
Mahwah, NJ 07430
(201) 684-6254
pcampbel@ramapo.edu
Rider University
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Hosting the BRONCast Sports Media Academy each July, Rider University is an independent, nonsectarian CIC member opened by Henry Beadman Bryant in 1865 that’s endowed for $56 million to attract 5,150 Broncos from 41 states to 99 majors at its 43-building Lawrence Township campus. Rider was applauded for America’s 15th best college radio by The Princeton Review, 255th best buck in Washington Monthly, and 313rd happiest alums on Forbes. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences prioritizes $50 applications received by February 15th for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in New Jersey that ranked 178th nationally on College Factual.
Communication Studies Major
Starting the freshman year, Rider’s Communication Studies Major headed by Dr. Shawn Kildea has 80 percent retention in high-tech media preparation that polishes reporting skills for good audience reception. The 48-credit CLAS major now costs $42,120 per year for a Bachelor of Arts with two emphases: Organizational Communication or Communication & Culture. Learners may also semester in LA, intern at Condé Nast, receive the Jeff Cope Memorial Scholarship, run WRRC 107.7FM shows, publish The Shadow, practice in Bart Luedeke Center, and join the PRSSA.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Fine Arts Building 232
2083 Lawrence Road
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
(609) 895-5458
skildea@rider.edu
Rowan University
College of Communication & Creative Arts
Planning the 2018 Film and Media History Conference in September, Rowan University is a public, four-year research NJAC member and EPA “Top Green Power Purchaser” that’s gifting $37 million to 18,484 Profs from 34 nations at its 200-acre Gloucester County campus. Rowan was judged America’s 322nd top university by Times Higher Education, 74th best test-optional school on Niche, and 85th best public value in Kiplinger’s. The College of Communication & Creative Arts directed by Dr. Sanford Tweedie, the 2004 Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award, confers two bachelor’s in communications programs in New Jersey ranked #9 on PayScale for a $93,100 mid-career salary.
B.A. in Communication Studies
In the fast-growing Eds & Meds Corridor, Rowan’s B.A. in Communication Studies admits freshmen with an average 3.46 GPA to develop versatile skills and healthy intellectual curiosity about the ways humans connect. The 120-credit curriculum mapped in 2014 allows 36 free elective credits beyond the Rhetoric & Cultural Criticism or International & Organizational Communication specialization. Other opportunities include writing for The Whit, joining Ad Club, engaging with the Anthony J. Fulginiti Chapter, earning the Medallion Award, and producing RTN Channel 5.
B.A. in Sports Communication and Media
Launched in 2017, the B.A. in Sports Communication and Media is among Rowan’s youngest interdisciplinary majors firmly centered on practicing the language of contemporary games for hitting professional home runs. The 120-credit sequence currently bills $9,660 to $18,128 yearly within four concentrations: Sports Journalism, Public Relations & Advertising, RTF Production, or Communication Studies. Majors might also intern with the New Jersey Devils, talk sports on WGLS 89.7FM, televise from Esbjornson Gymnasium, join Quidditch Club, and study abroad in Athens.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
6 High Street East
Glassboro, NJ 08028
(856) 256-4340
tweedie@rowan.edu
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
School of Communication and Information
Home to the Sharon A. Fordham Multimedia Lab, Rutgers University-New Brunswick is the flagship public, land-grant Big Ten state school chartered by William Franklin in 1766 that’s generating $3.5 billion by training 50,146 Scarlet Knights from six continents at the 640-building Piscataway campus. Rutgers was picked America’s 147th top university by Times Higher Education, 27th best college in The New York Times, and 80th best buy on Forbes. The School of Communication and Information is an iSchool Consortium founder with 216 faculty who’ve taught 22,000+ alumni in another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in New Jersey that ranked 93rd nationally on Niche.
BA in Communication
Led by Dr. Brian Householder, a 2003 ICA Excellence in Teaching Award winner, Rutgers’ BA in Communication gives New Brunswick undergrads “big picture” insights into how people comprehend discourse in various contexts. The 36-credit, flexible major presently costs $14,638 to $30,579 annually in four options: Health & Wellness, Relationship & Family, Organization & Community, or Strategic Public Communication. Students could also edit The Daily Targum, stream on WRSU 88.7FM, attend the Hugh N. Boyd Workshop, pursue the Dual BA-MCM, and join Speech Society.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
SC&I Building 215
4 Huntington Street
Newark, NJ 08901
(848) 932-7500
sci-info@comminfo.rutgers.edu
Rutgers University-Newark
Department of Arts, Culture & Media
Given the 2017 NEH Community Conversations Grant of $310,000, Rutgers University-Newark is a public, coed doctoral-granting branch that’s celebrating its 72nd year by enrolling 12,321 Scarlet Raiders and employing 585 full-time faculty in 90 majors at a 33-building campus near Audible headquarters. Rutgers-Newark was deemed America’s 133rd best college by the U.S. News & World Report, 82nd most diverse school on Niche, and 46th top public pick in The Wall Street Journal. The Department of Arts, Culture & Media stands in the Tech Talent Scorecard’s 13th best city for one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in New Jersey with 64.6 percent acceptance.
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies
Adhering to ACEJMC standards, Rutgers’ Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies hones the captivating storytelling abilities of Newark students called to report well-resourced knowledge in the free press. The 39-credit, cross-training major chaired by Dr. Ian Watson presently costs $11,619 to $27,560 yearly for courses like News Writing, Convergence, Photography, and Audio Production. Undergrads may practice in the Dana Digital Media Lab, publish The Observer, intern at MSNBC, minor in Theatre, join RBS Toastmasters, and visit Finland too.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Bradley Hall 4th Floor
110 Warren Street
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 353-3732
idwatson@newark.rutgers.edu
Saint Peter’s University
College of Arts and Sciences
Linked to 20,047 LinkedIn alumni, including media greats John Henning and Vincent Scuro, Saint Peter’s University is a private, Jesuit NAICU member of the Metro Atlantic Conference founded in 1872 that’s endowed for $31.1 million at its 30-acre Journal Square campus in “Wall Street West.” SPU was named America’s 367th safest college on Niche, 266th top value in Money magazine, and eighth best university by the Equality of Opportunity Project. Ranked 203rd on College Factual, the College of Arts and Sciences maintains a 13:1 Peacock-professor ratio for two bachelor’s in communications programs in New Jersey that are 12-minute PATH train rides from Manhattan.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Requiring a minimum 550 TOEFL pBT score or equivalent, Saint Peter’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication admits thrice per year for undergrads exploring media culture interests to vocalize their thoughts creatively. The 48-credit major managed by Dr. Cynthia Walker traverses courses like Broadcast Newsroom, Black Films, Corporate Branding, and Editing Workshop. Students could also publish The Pauw Wow, practice in Mahon Center, minor in Social Justice, take the Deusto Exchange, join the Gannon Debating Society, and win the Joseph Sullivan Award.
Accelerated BS/BSBA to MA in Communication and Public Relations
Saving up to one year’s tuition of $36,386, the Accelerated BS/BSBA to MA in Communication and Public Relations lets ambitious seniors fast forward any major toward advanced knowledge of how organizations speak to consumers. Undergrads add the 33-credit, non-thesis master’s that has trimester courses like Social Networking and New Media in Jersey City during evenings or online via Blackboard. Other opportunities include running WSPR Radio, joining Kappa Pi, attending the Magis Leadership Conference, being graduate assistants, and interning at Thomson Reuters.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Hilsdorf Hall 202
2641 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
Jersey City, NJ 07306
(201) 761-6330
cwalker1@saintpeters.edu
Seton Hall University
College of Communication and the Arts
Prized the 2016 NAB Marconi Radio Award for WSOU 89.5FM, Seton Hall University is the oldest private, diocesan Catholic institution founded over 160 years ago that’s renovated its 58-acre, Roman-style South Orange campus for $100 million to better teach 10,300 Pirates from 43 countries. SHU was chosen America’s 24th most underrated college by Business Insider, 233rd top university in Washington Monthly, and 265th most selective school on WalletHub. The College of Communication and the Arts has 67 percent admission after February 1st into 15 majors, including one of the bachelor’s in communications programs in New Jersey that ranked 170th nationally on Niche.
Communication Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Boasting 100 percent grad school acceptance, Seton Hall’s Communication Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) currently attracts 602 majors for $19,950 per semester with generalist career prep that makes speaking and writing well a priority. The 48-credit, self-designed major headed by Dr. James Kimble, the 2006 NCA Karl R. Wallace Award winner, integrates classes from History of Rhetoric to Persuasion. Students may also intern at Saturday Night Live, pledge Lambda Pi Eta, join the Brownson Debate Team, publish The Setonian, tour Nanjing, and attend SOMA Film Festival.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Fahy Hall 25B
400 South Orange Avenue
South Orange, NJ 07079
(973) 275-2776
james.kimble@shu.edu
Stockton University
School of Arts & Humanities
Operating the Sara and Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center since 1999, Stockton University is a public, coed NJAC member and “College of Distinction” worth $28.9 million that’s educating 9,216 Ospreys in 54 majors at its 2,000-acre, LEED-certified Galloway home near Atlantic City. Stockton was labeled America’s 257th best Common App college on Niche, 475th top university by The Wall Street Journal, and 156th best campus on WalletHub. Part of Washington Monthly’s 152nd most affordable elite, the School of Arts & Humanities presently bills $8,862 to $15,989 yearly for another of the bachelor’s in communications programs in New Jersey with 80 percent retention.
B.A. in Communication Studies
Ranked 291st nationally by College Factual, Stockton’s B.A. in Communication Studies fosters interactive dialogue where undergrads critically interrogate mixed media messages and creatively craft their own. The 120-credit curriculum administered by Dr. Lisa Honaker mandates 2.0 GPAs throughout three tracks: General Media Studies, Public Relations, or Broadcast Production. Students might intern at Suasion Group, deejay for WLFR 91.7FM, attend the Paul Lyons Memorial Lecture, televise on SSTV Channel 14, write The Argo, and join Speech & Hearing Club too.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Lower K-Wing 150
101 Vera King Farris Drive
Galloway, NJ 08205
(609) 652-4505
ARHU@stockton.edu
William Paterson University
College of the Arts and Communication
Gifted the 2018 IBS Best Variety Program Award for WPTV-6’s Press Start, William Paterson University is a public, metropolitan Hispanic-serving doctoral institution with $517 million in assets that inspires 10,252 Pioneers in 79 degrees at the 370-acre campus along High Mountain Preserve. WPUNJ was highlighted America’s 214th most liberal school on Niche, 305th best college for service in Washington Monthly, and 451st best value by PayScale. The College of the Arts and Communication published a 49.7 percent graduation rate for one of the generalist bachelor’s in communications programs in New Jersey that ranked 208th nationally on College Factual.
BA in Communication
Currently costing $6,468 to $10,568 per term full-time, William Paterson’s BA in Communication studies oral and nonverbal modes of human interaction to further relationship building practices. The 39-credit, customizable major directed by Dr. Rob Quicke, the 2013 IBS Outstanding Service Award recipient, offers daytime courses from Speechwriting to Managing Interpersonal Conflict. Undergrads could also join the Film Association, broadcast on WPSC 88.7FM, compete at the Comedy Festival, edit The Pioneer Times, intern at MWW Group, and travel to London.
Accreditation
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Hobart Hall 302
300 Pompton Road
Wayne, NJ 07470
(973) 720-3669
quicker@wpunj.edu
In July 2017, the Census Bureau stated that 37.5 percent of New Jerseyites age 25 and older hold a baccalaureate or higher. Attending university courses has proven positive effects on your body, mind, spirit, and wallet. The Lumina Foundation found that bachelor’s grads are 2.2 times less likely to be unemployed and have asset income 4.9 times greater. Picking from the bachelor’s in communications programs in New Jersey is extra wise to sharpen one of corporate recruiters’ most desired skills.