Office of the Secretary of Higher Education

Start, Stay, Succeed

December 11, 2025

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A retrospective on New Jersey’s progress toward a student-centered vision for higher education, through strategic collaboration between the state and its institutions

Today's college students are increasingly older, more diverse, and more likely to balance work while attending school. Many are also first in their family to attend college, may be parents or caregivers themselves, or are facing challenges such as food, housing or financial insecurity.

Recognizing these realities alongside the evolving workforce needs of the state, New Jersey's 2019 State Plan for Higher Education, "Where Opportunity Meets Innovation," asserted a vision for higher education where every New Jerseyan, regardless of life circumstances, has the opportunity to obtain a high-quality college degree or credential that prepares them for life after college.

To bring this vision to life, the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE), has led a coordinated effort between the state, institutions and our partners, to align strategies and investments that expand access to higher education, improve outcomes and promote upward mobility for all residents.

Our bold actions have measurable results:

Under the Murphy Administration, New Jersey has invested more in higher education than the last prior six administrations combined.
The state ranked 2nd in the nation for providing the most need-based aid per student, according to a 2023 analysis.
Students and families are benefitting from stronger investment in state financial aid, with the student share of college costs just 40% in 2024, down from a high of 58% in 2017.
New Jersey topped the nation in the percentage of community college students who transfer to four-year colleges and graduate with a bachelor’s degree.
Bachelor's degree holders in New Jersey earn 68% more than high school graduates and $2 million more in lifetime earnings. Associate degree holders can expect $1 million more.
Eight New Jersey colleges and universities were ranked in the national top 100 for social mobility by U.S. News and World Report based on strong enrollment and graduation rates of Pell Grant recipients.

In this 'Start, Stay, Succeed' retrospective series, OSHE experts reflect on major higher education policy accomplishments under the Murphy Administration and the critical role that collaboration between OSHE and institutional stakeholders has played to advance a more coordinated, student-centered ecosystem. The series also offers forward-looking recommendations to guide the next phase of progress for higher education in New Jersey.