Ramapo College of New Jersey: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Mahwah, New Jersey · Public · Moderately selective · CDS 2025-2026
Admission at a glance
Common Data Set 2025-2026
- Test-optional
- Early Decision
- Early Action
- 9,784
- Applicants
- 6,874
- Admitted70%
- 1,042
- Enrolled
- 15%
- Yield rate
Selectivity
Moderately selective70% admittedRanked #25 (tie) in Regional Universities North; Business Programs #390 (tie), Computer Science #350 (tie), Nursing #243 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2025-2026 Common Data Set published by Ramapo College of New Jersey (see the source), read on 2026-09-18.
Is Ramapo College of New Jersey a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places Ramapo College of New Jersey against it in about a minute. No account needed.
Ramapo College of New Jersey is a public university in Mahwah, New Jersey that admits about 70% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $18,173 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Communication and Media Studies and Biology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 68% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 0.6 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Ramapo College of New Jersey is a public institution located in Mahwah, New Jersey with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Ramapo College of New Jersey admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 70%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1210 and an ACT composite around 26. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $18,173 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Ramapo College of New Jersey?
58% of enrolled students at Ramapo College of New Jersey had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.48, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
Compare Ramapo College of New Jersey with the other schools on your list
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What does Ramapo College of New Jersey weight in admissions?
Ramapo College of New Jersey reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
Very Important
2- Rigor of secondary school record
- Academic GPA
Important
5- Standardized test scores
- Application essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent/ability
Considered
10- Class rank
- Interview
- Character/personal qualities
- First generation status
- Alumni/ae relation
- Geographical residence
- State residency
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Level of applicant's interest
Not Considered
1- Religious affiliation/commitment
SAT and ACT scores Ramapo College of New Jersey typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 550–650, with an EBRW midpoint near 595. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 22–30. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 1145 |
| 50th percentile | 1210 |
| 75th percentile | 1280 |
| % submitting SAT | 21.2% |
| 25th percentile | 21 |
| 50th percentile | 26 |
| 75th percentile | 28 |
| % submitting ACT | 1.5% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • As reported in the 2025-2026 Common Data Set: Considered if submitted
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort, often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 15.7% |
| Top 25% of class | 42.9% |
| Top 50% of class | 79.6% |
| % submitting class rank | 32.9% |
How much does Ramapo College of New Jersey actually cost?
Published tuition is $16,777 for in-state students and $27,708 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $17,102 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $18,173 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 28% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | — |
| Out-of-state tuition | $29,093 |
| Room and board | $16,902 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $18,173 |
| Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need | 59% |
| Average need-based grant | $12,652 |
| Average merit award, no financial need213 first-year students received one | $7,098 |
| Graduates who borrowed | 55% |
| Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed | $32,370 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
| Application fee | $65 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Ramapo College of New Jersey
| Regular deadline | 2/1 |
| Notification date | 3/1 |
| Reply deadline | 5/1 |
| Offers Early Decision | Yes |
| ED deadline | November 1 |
| ED acceptance rate | 83% |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | December 15 |
Will my child graduate from Ramapo College of New Jersey?
These predict outcomes at Ramapo College of New Jersey better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Ramapo College of New Jersey
The most popular undergraduate programs at Ramapo College of New Jersey, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Communication and Media Studies and Biology, General. Across all programs, Ramapo College of New Jersey confers roughly 663 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program report a median income of about $101,973 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 121 | $101,973 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 98 | $56,765 |
| Biology, General | 98 | $73,412 |
| Psychology, General | 95 | $56,873 |
| Marketing | 72 | n/a |
| Social Sciences, General | 66 | n/a |
| Social Work | 57 | $58,059 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 56 | n/a |
Is Ramapo College of New Jersey safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Ramapo College of New Jersey disclosed 3 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 0.6 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 1 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Ramapo College of New Jersey?
About 37% of undergraduates at Ramapo College of New Jersey live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in New Jersey parents ask about
- Drew University68% acceptance
- Princeton University5% acceptance
- Rutgers University-New Brunswick58% acceptance
- Seton Hall University73% acceptance
- Stevens Institute of Technology48% acceptance
- New Jersey Institute of Technology65% acceptance
- Montclair State University88% acceptance
- College of New Jersey62% acceptance
Next steps for Ramapo College of New Jersey
Common questions parents ask about Ramapo College of New Jersey
What GPA do I need for Ramapo College of New Jersey?
58% of enrolled students at Ramapo College of New Jersey had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.48, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Ramapo College of New Jersey typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 550–650, with an EBRW midpoint near 595. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 22–30.
How much does Ramapo College of New Jersey actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Ramapo College of New Jersey after grants and scholarships is $18,173 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $16,777 and $27,708 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is Ramapo College of New Jersey realistic for my child?
Ramapo College of New Jersey admits 70% of applicants, so 550–650 SAT Math is target range and below 550 is a reach. Then check the $18,173 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Ramapo College of New Jersey?
Ramapo College of New Jersey accepts about 70% of applicants out of roughly 9,784 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.
Is Ramapo College of New Jersey test-optional?
Yes. Ramapo College of New Jersey is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at Ramapo College of New Jersey?
About 68% of students at Ramapo College of New Jersey graduate within six years, and 52% finish in four years. 85% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at Ramapo College of New Jersey?
Ramapo College of New Jersey's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 83%, compared with its overall rate of 70%. Applying ED can meaningfully improve admission odds, but it is a binding commitment to enroll if accepted.
What does Ramapo College of New Jersey look for in applicants?
Ramapo College of New Jersey rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Ramapo College of New Jersey a public or private school, and where is it located?
Ramapo College of New Jersey is a public institution located in Mahwah, New Jersey.
What are the most popular majors at Ramapo College of New Jersey?
The largest undergraduate majors at Ramapo College of New Jersey by annual graduates are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Communication and Media Studies and Biology, General. The school awards about 663 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Ramapo College of New Jersey safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Ramapo College of New Jersey reported 3 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 0.6 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Ramapo College of New Jersey?
At Ramapo College of New Jersey, 37% of undergraduates live on campus, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Ramapo College of New Jersey, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers