Rutgers: Camden Vs. New Brunswick

Rutgers University has three campuses: Newark, Camden, and New Brunswick. Each campus has its own unique characteristics, and prospective students often wonder which one is the best fit for them. While all three campuses offer a high-quality education, there are some key differences in terms of size, location, and student life that can help inform a student's decision.

Student experience

Rutgers University has three campuses: Newark, Camden, and New Brunswick. Each campus offers a distinct student experience.

The New Brunswick campus is the largest of the three, with a total student enrollment of 50,637, compared to Camden's 5,966. As such, it offers a wider range of academic programs and resources, and a traditional college town atmosphere. The Camden campus, on the other hand, provides a more intimate learning experience with smaller class sizes and closer interactions with professors. It has an urban feel, being situated in the city of Camden and close to Philadelphia, which offers opportunities for internships, jobs, and cultural experiences.

New Brunswick is the most well-known of the three campuses and is preferred by employers. It has a robust athletics program, competing against teams like Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State, and offers a wide range of clubs and organizations for students to join. The Camden campus, meanwhile, is known for its diverse student body, which fosters a sense of inclusiveness and rich cultural exchange.

In terms of admissions, New Brunswick is more selective, with a higher average SAT score (1225) and average high school GPA (3.3) for accepted freshmen. Camden has a higher acceptance rate of 76.5% compared to New Brunswick's 66.3%.

Both campuses have their advantages, and the best choice depends on individual preferences. Students seeking a larger, more traditional college experience with a wider range of academic and extracurricular options might prefer New Brunswick. Those who want a smaller, more intimate learning environment and an urban setting may find Camden more appealing. Visiting both campuses can help prospective students get a better sense of the overall atmosphere and make an informed decision.

Campus size

Rutgers University, New Jersey's state university, is spread across four campuses in the state: New Brunswick, Newark, Camden, and Piscataway. The New Brunswick campus is the flagship campus and is the largest of the four, with a campus size of 2,656 acres. The campus is split into five mini campuses, each with a unique setting and identity, student centre, and dining options. The campus offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, with more than 500 student clubs and organisations, including over 80 fraternities and sororities.

The Camden campus, on the other hand, is the southernmost of the three regional campuses. The campus offers a more intimate setting, with approximately 6,600 undergraduate and graduate students. The campus is located in the city of Camden and provides easy access to the cultural and recreational opportunities of Philadelphia. While the exact size of the Camden campus is not readily available, it is known for its personalised approach to education and real-world learning opportunities.

In terms of campus size, Rutgers University-New Brunswick offers a more expansive space for its students. However, it is important to consider that the Camden campus may provide a more tight-knit community feel due to its smaller size. Both campuses offer a diverse range of academic programmes, extracurricular activities, and support services to meet the varying needs and preferences of their students.

Location

When deciding between Rutgers Camden and Rutgers New Brunswick, location is a key factor to consider. Both campuses offer distinct experiences and opportunities due to their geographical settings.

Rutgers Camden is situated in the city of Camden, providing an urban environment for students. The campus has an intimate learning atmosphere with smaller class sizes, fostering closer interactions between students and professors. Being close to Philadelphia opens up various prospects for internships, jobs, and cultural exploration. The student body at Rutgers Camden is also known for its diversity, creating a culturally rich and inclusive environment.

On the other hand, Rutgers New Brunswick, the flagship campus of Rutgers University, offers a traditional college town feel. The campuses are spread across New Brunswick and Piscataway, providing a variety of academic programmes and resources. Its larger size accommodates those who prefer bigger classes and a broader range of options. One of the standout advantages of Rutgers New Brunswick's location is its proximity to New York City, granting students access to countless internships, job opportunities, and cultural events. The campus also boasts a robust athletics programme, competing against prominent teams, and offers numerous clubs and organisations for students to join.

The choice between Rutgers Camden and Rutgers New Brunswick depends on individual preferences for campus size and location. While Camden offers a more intimate, urban setting with proximity to Philadelphia, New Brunswick provides a traditional college town experience, enhanced by its nearness to New York City and its extensive academic and extracurricular offerings. Visiting both campuses can help prospective students gauge the overall atmosphere and make an informed decision.

Student life

When it comes to student life, there are several factors to consider when comparing Rutgers Camden and Rutgers New Brunswick. One notable difference is the size of the campuses. Rutgers Camden is a smaller campus, offering a more intimate learning environment with smaller class sizes and closer interactions with professors. On the other hand, Rutgers New Brunswick is the flagship campus, with a much larger student body, providing a wider range of academic programs and resources. The larger size may be preferable for those who thrive in bigger classes and desire a greater variety of options.

The locations of the campuses also contribute to their distinct student experiences. Rutgers Camden, situated in the city of Camden, has an urban feel and is in close proximity to Philadelphia. This provides ample opportunities for internships, jobs, and cultural exploration. In contrast, Rutgers New Brunswick has a more traditional college town atmosphere, with campuses spread across New Brunswick and Piscataway. Its location near New York City offers access to internships, job prospects, and a rich cultural scene.

Athletics and extracurricular activities play a significant role in student life at both campuses. Rutgers New Brunswick boasts a robust athletics program, competing against prominent teams in the Big Ten. It also offers numerous clubs and organisations for students to engage in. While there is limited information specifically about athletics at Rutgers Camden, its smaller size may foster a more tight-knit community where students can actively participate in and benefit from the available extracurricular opportunities.

The diversity of the student population is another aspect that shapes student life. Rutgers Camden is known for its diverse student body, fostering a sense of inclusiveness and providing a platform for rich cultural exchange. Rutgers New Brunswick, being the larger campus, is likely to attract a diverse range of students as well, although specific details about its demographic makeup are not readily available.

In terms of rankings, Rutgers New Brunswick is currently ranked higher than Rutgers Camden by U.S. News & World Report. However, both campuses consistently demonstrate improvement in their rankings, reflecting their commitment to academic excellence and student success.

Acceptance rate

Rutgers University–Camden has a higher acceptance rate than Rutgers University–New Brunswick. For the 2021-2022 school year, Rutgers Camden accepted 79% of applicants, while Rutgers New Brunswick accepted 66% of applicants.

Rutgers Camden is described as "somewhat selective" and a "high acceptance" school, welcoming between 51% and 100% of applicants. Rutgers New Brunswick, on the other hand, is considered ""moderately selective".

The average SAT score for accepted students at Rutgers Camden is between 1030 and 1280, while the average for Rutgers New Brunswick is between 1270 and 1480. The average ACT score for Rutgers Camden is between 25 and 30, and for Rutgers New Brunswick, it's between 28 and 33.

Rutgers New Brunswick also has a higher average GPA for admitted students, with 3.3 compared to 3.23 at Rutgers Camden.

Frequently asked questions