Chartered in 1766 as Queen's College, Rutgers University–New Brunswick is the flagship public land-grant research university of New Jersey and one of the nine colonial colleges founded before the American Revolution. Spanning five distinct sub-campuses along the Raritan River in New Brunswick and Piscataway, Rutgers combines biotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences, philosophy, high-performance computing, and Big Ten athletic traditions. You can examine its founding charter, colonial origins, and campus development through the Rutgers University Wikipedia historical entry.
When you join the student body at Rutgers, you step into a historic public research enterprise situated at the midpoint of the Northeast megacity corridor. Living in New Brunswick places you 40 miles south of New York City and 60 miles north of Philadelphia, giving you direct access to corporate pharmaceutical hubs, financial networks, and active student organizations.
Premier Academic Programs
Rutgers hosts 17 specialized schools and colleges holding top national reputations across diverse disciplines:
- Rutgers Business School: AACSB-accredited business school famous for supply chain management, corporate finance, pharmaceutical management, and accounting. Explore degree options on the Rutgers Business School portal.
- School of Engineering: Global leader in biomedical engineering, mechanical systems, civil infrastructure, and packaging engineering.
- Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy: Top-tier pharmacy research institute preparing clinical pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists.
- Mason Gross School of the Arts: Renowned professional arts conservatory delivering instruction in theater performance, visual arts, and music.
- School of Arts and Sciences: Serves as the academic core across biological sciences, world-leading philosophy, history, and computer science.
"Sun of Righteousness, Shine Upon the West, translated from Latin as Sol Iustitiae Illustra Nos, serves as Rutgers' official motto."
Campus Culture and Mascot
Your daily undergraduate student experience centers on Vorhees Mall, the Busch Campus Student Center, and Passion Puddle. School spirit revolves around Sir Henry the Scarlet Knight, the energetic costumed mascot who leads student cheers during NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference athletic events. You can read about spirit traditions and athletic programs on the official Rutgers Scarlet Knights Athletics portal. Cheering inside SHI Stadium for football games, attending basketball games in the Jersey Mike's Arena, and joining over 500 student clubs creates an extraordinary campus culture.
Research Infrastructure and Biotechnology
Rutgers operates a multi-billion-dollar research enterprise credited with discovering streptomycin and advancing cell genomics:
- Waksman Institute of Microbiology: World-class research center pioneering antibiotic discovery, plant molecular biology, and gene regulation.
- Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT): Federal UTC research lab evaluating bridge safety, pavement longevity, and port logistics. Learn more via Rutgers Research Operations.
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey: State's only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center driving clinical oncology trials.
Notable Alumni Legacy
You walk in the footsteps of Nobel laureates, civil rights leaders, Supreme Court advocates, and cultural icons, including:
- Paul Robeson: Renowned actor, singer, lawyer, and civil rights advocate who earned Valedictorian honors while starring in football at Rutgers.
- Milton Friedman: Nobel laureate in Economic Sciences who earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at Rutgers University.
- David Stern: Longtime NBA Commissioner who oversaw global league expansion after earning his undergraduate degree at Rutgers.
- Carli Lloyd: Two-time FIFA Women's World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist who set collegiate soccer records at Rutgers.
Rutgers provides full tuition coverage for eligible New Jersey undergraduate families through the Garden State Guarantee financial aid program. Review complete application steps and deadlines on the official Rutgers Undergraduate Admissions portal.