Rutgers Course Equivalency: Newark Vs. New Brunswick

Rutgers University is a public research university and the largest institution for undergraduate and graduate students in New Jersey. It has campuses in New Brunswick/Piscataway, Camden, and Newark. While the curriculum is the same at Rutgers University Newark (RU N) and Rutgers University New Brunswick (RU NB), there are some differences between the two. RU N has smaller class sizes, fewer academic departments, and a smaller campus than RU NB. RU NB, on the other hand, has a wider range of academic programs, more campus life, and offers study abroad opportunities.

Transferring credits between Rutgers New Brunswick and Newark

Transferring credits between Rutgers New Brunswick and Rutgers Newark is possible. Students who are currently enrolled at Rutgers University and want to transfer between campuses can submit an online school-to-school transfer application. The transfer application is only open to matriculated students at Rutgers University.

Transferring from a New Jersey Community College

Students transferring from a New Jersey Community College can use the NJ Transfer website to learn how courses may transfer to Rutgers University–Newark. Per the NJ statewide transfer agreement, students transferring from a community college with a completed and verified AA or AS degree will have completed 60 out of the 120 credits and will be in junior standing. Rutgers University–Newark can accept up to 65 credits from NJ County Colleges and 90 credits from other four-year universities or colleges. The university accepts a minimum grade of "C".

Transferring from a College or University Outside of New Jersey

Students transferring from a college or university outside of New Jersey should complete the admission application and work directly with the transfer staff in each of the schools/colleges regarding transfer credits.

Transferring from Within Rutgers

Students transferring from within Rutgers must submit an online application through the Rutgers Admissions School-to-School Transfer Application. The application is open during the following periods:

• Fall School-to-School Application Timeline: Opens: February 1, Closes: August 17, Notification of admission decision on or before: August 28
• Spring School-to-School Application Timeline: Opens: October 1, Closes: January 9, Notification of admission decision on or before: January 12

Transferring to Rutgers from Another College or University

In general, credit is granted for courses taken at accredited colleges and institutions if they are the equivalent of Rutgers courses and a grade of at least a C has been earned. United States colleges must be accredited by one of the major regional accrediting authorities recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) for coursework to transfer to Rutgers.

Differences in campus size and student population

Rutgers University is spread across three campuses in New Jersey: New Brunswick/Piscataway, Camden, and Newark. The New Brunswick campus is the flagship location of the university and is much larger in terms of campus size and student population.

The New Brunswick campus is approximately 2,656 acres in size, while the Newark campus is only 38 acres. New Brunswick is divided into five mini campuses, each with a distinct identity and setting: Busch, College Avenue, Douglass, George H. Cook, and Livingston. The Raritan River runs through the large campus, and a free inter-campus bus service connects the various locations.

In terms of student population, New Brunswick enrols approximately 40,7020 students, while Newark enrols around 11,314. New Brunswick's student body comprises 36,344 undergraduate students, while Newark has 6,335. New Brunswick also has a more diverse student population, with 54% women and 46% men, and a wide range of ethnicities represented.

The class sizes in Newark are much smaller than in New Brunswick, making it easier for students to develop relationships with their professors. Newark is considered more of a commuter campus, while New Brunswick offers more campus life and on-campus living options.

Course equivalency for transfer students

Rutgers University welcomes transfer students who have graduated high school and completed 12 or more college credits at an accredited postsecondary institution. The university aims to ensure that students' hard work at their previous colleges will transfer to Rutgers.

Transfer Credit Evaluation

In general, credit is granted for courses taken at accredited colleges and institutions if they are deemed equivalent to Rutgers courses and a grade of at least a C has been earned. For US colleges, accreditation must be from one of the major regional accrediting authorities recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). These include Middle States (MSCHE), New England (NEASC-CIHE), North Central (NCA-HLC), Southern (SACS), and Western (ACCJW-WASC).

Students transferring from two-year institutions may receive a maximum of 60 credits, while those transferring from four-year institutions may receive a maximum of 90 credits.

Transferring from a New Jersey Community College

Transferring to Rutgers University from a New Jersey community college is seamless, thanks to comprehensive articulation agreements with every county and community college in the state. New Jersey community college students can consult NJtransfer.org for a preliminary unofficial transcript evaluation.

Students who have earned an A.A. or A.S. degree from a New Jersey community college will enter Rutgers as a junior with 60 credits and half the credits remaining to complete a bachelor's degree. Students who have earned at least 12 credits at a community college but have not earned a two-year degree are still eligible to apply as transfer students.

Transferring from a School Outside of Rutgers

Students from other colleges or universities outside of Rutgers University who are interested in transferring to the Rutgers Business School-New Brunswick (RBSNB) may apply to transfer directly into the RBSNB for the fall semester. To be eligible, students must have completed a four-credit Rutgers-New Brunswick equivalent to pre-calculus and the equivalent of two of the six pre-business courses by the end of the spring semester.

The pre-business courses are:

• Introduction to Financial Accounting
• Computer Applications for Business
• Introduction to Microeconomics
• Introduction to Macroeconomics
• Calculus I
• Introductory Statistics for Business

Transferring within Rutgers

Students from Rutgers - New Brunswick or Camden who wish to transfer to the Rutgers Business School in Newark should use the online School-to-School transfer application.

For New Brunswick students, the minimum cumulative GPA requirement is 2.5, and the following pre-requisite or equivalent courses must be completed with a grade of at least a "C" in each course:

• Expository Writing I
• Calculus I
• Introduction to Statistics for Business
• Introduction to Financial Accounting

Additionally, New Brunswick students are encouraged to complete the following courses:

• Introduction to Microeconomics
• Introduction to Macroeconomics
• Introduction to Managerial Accounting

Differences in campus culture and student life

Rutgers University–New Brunswick is a bustling and vibrant community of diverse individuals spread across 2,685 sprawling acres. The university offers a robust range of extracurricular activities, including New Jersey's largest student-run philanthropic event, and is a member of the Big Ten Athletic Conference. With more than 750 student organisations, over 80 fraternities and sororities, and students from all 50 states and over 100 countries, Rutgers University–New Brunswick holds the diversity, charm, and surprise of a small city. Its five campuses—Busch, College Avenue, Cook, Douglass, and Livingston—each have a distinct vibe. The university's proximity to New York and Philadelphia also provides endless opportunities for students to explore the world of work and gain experience.

Rutgers University-Newark, on the other hand, is a campus in the city, with the benefits of living in New Jersey's largest and most dynamic city. The campus is big enough that there's always something happening and small enough that faces feel familiar. The university is deeply connected with Newark, and students can discover this diverse city through various opportunities to make a difference locally. There are more than 100 groups, including professional clubs, honour societies, and cultural organisations. Students can enjoy global eats, a thriving nightlife, and art and activism in the revitalised Hahne Building. The university is also a catalyst for arts and culture in the metropolitan region, curating art exhibitions, presenting concerts and theatre productions, and hosting author readings and scholarly lectures right on campus.

Differences in academic departments and course offerings

Rutgers University has campuses in New Brunswick/Piscataway, Camden, and Newark. While the curriculum is the same on both the New Brunswick and Newark campuses, there are some differences in academic departments and course offerings.

Rutgers University–New Brunswick offers more than 120 undergraduate majors through its schools and colleges. The New Brunswick campus has 18 schools and colleges, while the Newark campus has fewer academic departments. The New Brunswick campus offers schools and colleges in every field, from business to engineering to medicine and public policy.

The Rutgers Business School offers undergraduate programs in both New Brunswick and Newark. The New Brunswick campus offers six majors leading to a Bachelor of Science degree: accounting, business analytics and information technology, finance, leadership and management, marketing, and supply chain management.

The Rutgers Business School at Rutgers University–Newark and New Brunswick offers the following departments and concentrations: accounting, entrepreneurship, finance, general management, international business, leadership, marketing, management information systems, real estate, and supply chain management/logistics.

The New Brunswick campus also offers the following schools:

• Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
• Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology
• Graduate School of Education
• Mason Gross School of the Arts
• School of Communication and Information
• School of Engineering
• School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
• School of Management and Labor Relations
• School of Social Work

The Newark campus offers the following schools:

• Graduate School–Newark
• School of Criminal Justice
• School of Public Affairs and Administration
• School of Arts and Sciences–Newark

Frequently asked questions