CRANFORD — Union College of Union County, NJ (UCNJ) continues to prioritize affordability and accessibility for students: for the fifth year in a row, the college is not increasing tuition. The 20242025 tuition rates and budget were approved by the college’s board of trustees at its meeting held on February 27.
As the cost of living continues to rise, UCNJ recognizes the financial challenges that both students and their families are facing. The college believes that financial strain should not hinder students from accessing quality higher education. Union County students taking a full-time schedule of 12 to 18 credits will continue to pay a flat rate of $2,640 per semester. The flat-rate tuition helps students graduate in a timely fashion and enter the workforce faster.
“In times of economic challenges, it is with great pride that UCNJ will continue to offer our students a high-quality and affordable education. The college worked diligently to create a balanced budget that did not rely on increasing student tuition. For the past five years, including through the pandemic, UCNJ tuition has not increased. We understand the financial strain caused by inflated transportation, housing and food costs. The college does not want to add to that burden to our precious students,” stated UCNJ President Margaret M. McMenamin, Ed.D.
New Jersey residents interested in applying to UCNJ also may be eligible for other aid to further offset the cost of tuition. UCNJ students who enroll in at least six credits and have an adjusted gross income of less than $100,000 may be eligible to attend the college tuition free under New Jersey’s Community College Opportunity grant. Students who complete the FAFSA or NJ Alternative Financial Aid application are automatically considered. Additionally, the Union County College Foundation has awarded over $1 million a year in scholarships to UCNJ students for the past several years.
UCNJ is a public, comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater Union County region. It is the first of New Jersey’s 18 twoyear colleges, serving both careerminded and transfer-oriented students since 1933.
The college offers a wide variety of academic and extracurricular activities. UCNJ provides many experiential learning opportunities such as access to a Bloomberg Business Center, Innovation Center and Student Research hub. Additionally, students at UCNJ attend one of the top 25 community colleges in the country for 2023 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more, visit www.ucc.edu.
