New Jersey City University, with declining enrollment, to merge with Kean University

2-minute read

• Kean University brought forward the proposal to turn the two New Jersey colleges into one university under “Kean Jersey City.”
• “Just two years ago, New Jersey City University was on the brink of collapse,” Hudson County Executive Craig Guy said.

Two New Jersey universities took a step toward merging together on Wednesday. The New Jersey City University (NJCU) board of trustees voted to move forward with Kean University’s proposal to combine the schools, according to a statement from the Kean University President Lamont Repollet.

Kean University brought forward the proposal to turn the two New Jersey colleges into one university under “Kean Jersey City.”

Steps still need to be taken to finalize the merger, as both schools must “begin the process of memorializing the terms and conditions of a potential partnership on or before March 31, 2025,” said the NJCU Board of Trustees.

Kean University said they will work with NJCU to “negotiate a letter of intent” over the next several weeks in order to complete the combination of school.

The proposed idea came from Kean University. The school’s reasoning for the merger is included in a detailed 60-page proposal envisioning “Kean Jersey City.”

“The merger aims to build a stronger, more resilient institution that not only preserves but also significantly amplifies both universities’ core strengths and enduring missions,” said the issued statement from Kean University. “It will focus on creating robust pathways for social mobility, providing students from underserved populations with the tools, resources and opportunities they need to achieve economic success and contribute to their communities.”

The proposal outlines how faculty, athletes, enrollment management and finance will be handled in the merger, but in a very general sense. There was no mention of faculty layoffs in the 60-page proposal.

NJCU, a smaller state school compared to other universities in New Jersey, has seen a decrease in enrollment over the years as their current undergraduate enrollment for 2024 was 3,871, where it was 6,508 in 2017. The school was previously Jersey City State College.

“Just two years ago, New Jersey City University was on the brink of collapse,” Hudson County Executive Craig Guy said in a statement. “But their merger with Kean University ensures the educational institute can continue providing residents in Hudson County and Jersey City the opportunity to attend an affordable four-year college.”

Kean, located in Union, Elizabeth, and Hillside, said it achieved an enrollment of 18,000 students in 2024.