New Jersey may be one of the smaller states in the union but it packs a big punch when considering quality college education. The state is home to more than 25 independent and public institutions of higher learning. Among the state's roster of colleges is an Ivy League school with a world-wide reputation for excellence. No matter what your criteria for choosing the perfect college, there is little doubt these top NJ universities could be contenders to ensure educational and professional advancement.

Princeton University

Princeton University is one of the nation's eight Ivy League schools. It's located in Princeton, N.J. and was the fourth college established in the U.S. More than 8,000 students were enrolled in Princeton for the 2012 academic year. The school earned the No. 1 spot among all national universities in rankings published by U.S. News and World Report. Getting into Princeton is tough and prospective students really must set themselves apart from the pack. The school's admissions rate is less than 9 percent each year. The school received more than 27,000 applications for the 2011 academic year and accepted only 2,300 students for its freshman class.

Rutgers

Rutgers is considered New Jersey's state university. It's located in Piscataway, N.J. and is a large school with more than 58,000 students enrolled. The school system operates on three campuses referred to as the New Brunswick campus, Camden campus, and the Newark campus. The school ranked No. 68 among all national universities in rankings published by U.S. News and World Report. A large portion, roughly 87 percent of Rutgers students are residents of New Jersey. The school offers enrolled students 100 undergraduate programs and 180 graduate programs for write my college essay from which to choose for their education.

Montclair State University

Montclair State University is located in Montclair, N.J. It was established in 1908 and has more than 18,000 students enrolled in its degree programs. It earned the No. 61 spot of all universities located in the north based on rankings published by U.S. News and World Report. About half of all applicants are accepted to Montclair. The school received more than 12,000 applications for the 2012 academic year and accepted 55 percent of those prospective students.

New Jersey Institute of Technology

The New Jersey Institute of Technology is located in Newark, N.J. It's considered a solid educational choice in the state for students interested in pursuing degree programs in science, math, or technology. The school ranked No. 139 among all national universities by U.S. News and World Report. Its student population totals more than 9,900 with the majority of students classified as undergraduates. One interesting fact about the institute is that 76 percent of its student population is male. Its admissions are considered selective but about 68 percent of all prospective students who apply are accepted.

The College of New Jersey

The College of New Jersey is located in Ewing, N.J. and is considered a top liberal arts school in the U.S. The school earned the No. 6 spot among all regional universities located in the northern portion of the U.S. It's a small school compared to some of the state's other top colleges with a student population of a little more than 6,500 students. The school describes its admissions process as "highly selective." A little more than 46 percent of applicants are invited to enroll in the college each year.

No matter what your objectives are when considering planning for college, schools in New Jersey present quality options for consideration. The state is home to an Ivy League institution that is the best in the country. There also are several smaller schools with less intensely selective admissions than an Ivy League school normally has. These five top universities in NJ are worth a close look when considering your post-secondary option in the Garden State.

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