Rider University

Rider University

Students who dream of making a difference in their careers and in the community find a perfect match in Rider University. Rider's hands-on approach to learning teaches students to think critically and communicate clearly, and to prepare them to serve as both leaders and team members. The University is located in central New Jersey with campuses in Lawrenceville and Princeton -- just an hour from New York City and Philadelphia -- and offers great opportunities for exploration, culture, leadership development, internships, and jobs.

Students are at the heart of everything that happens at Rider. The University's student-centered commitment begins with its engaged professors whose focus is on teaching and mentoring students. That commitment is shared by the entire University community, where every member is available to support students and their goals. It's a unique environment dedicated to giving students the self-confidence, skills and strong foundation essential for professional and personal success.

Students come to Rider from 37 states, three U.S. territories and 76 countries. The Lawrenceville Campus enrolls 3,800 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate students. Rider's internationally renowned Westminster Choir College enrolls 300 undergraduate and 100 graduate students on Rider's nearby Princeton Campus.

Academic Excellence

At Rider, students can choose from nearly 70 undergraduate and 35 graduate programs through five colleges/schools: College of Business Administration, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Education and Human Sciences, Westminster College of the Arts, and College of Continuing Studies. Interdisciplinary majors are plentiful, and dual majors are encouraged.

Rider's professors are passionate about their disciplines, but teaching is their top priority. They are distinguished authors, educators, scholars, scientists, performing artists and researchers; an impressive 97% hold a doctorate or the highest degree in their field. With an average class size of 21 and a 11:1 student/faculty ratio, their classes are small and collaborative. Students are encouraged to join in discussions, express opinions and be creative problem-solvers. Communication skills and teamwork become integral to learning.

Hands-on Learning

A valuable education depends on rich, hands-on experiences that expand horizons. Our students are encouraged to experience learning through impressive professional internships, student-faculty research, honors and study-abroad programs, and volunteer experiences.

Rider students do lab work, perform on stage, hold leadership roles on campus, and work at the TV station as early as freshman year. Education majors -- who are in classrooms by their sophomore year -- are guaranteed 700 hours of classroom experience through field placements. Each year, Rider students complete more than 1,000 internships, co-ops, and field placements as part of their degree studies. Rider's award-winning Model UN program, innovative Global Village class, and a wealth of study abroad and international partnership programs provide opportunities for students to experience the world in a new way.

Learning is enhanced by coursework that reflects the latest best practices and technology and guest lectures by leading experts. With plenty of real-world opportunities in nearby New York and Philadelphia, these great cities are true "learning laboratories" for our students.

By building on these experiences, achievements, credentials, and contacts, Rider students discover what they love to do most -- and stand out from the competition when they graduate.

Career Ready

Each of Rider's colleges has a career adviser who specializes in providing the support and preparation needed to move students from their majors to relevant careers. Students begin planning for the future in their first semester, using the expert resources of Career Development and Success to create a compelling professional portfolio and a targeted résumé.

Students also have opportunities to develop polished interview skills through interactive workshops and alumni videos, launch their job search through 'handshake', and shadow and network with Rider alumni. Rider also hosts career fairs attended each year by hundreds of employers who come to campus to recruit candidates.

Life Happens at Rider

Where the classroom leaves off, campus life fills in. Rider's vibrant and active campus community includes student government, more than 150 student organizations, fraternities and sororities, plus 20 NCAA Division I men's and women's teams, and 28 club and intramural sports.

Rider students are passionate about protecting the environment and volunteering in the community, too. Getting involved offers students the chance to inspire and lead others, manage budgets, plan successful events, and engage in "big picture thinking."

An Unbeatable Location

Rider's central location between two vibrant metropolitan centers offers great opportunities for adventure, exploration, culture and shopping -- plus internships and jobs. Both campuses are just minutes away from historic Princeton, incredible nature trails, shopping malls, and more. Students can head an hour in any direction to laze at the beach, downhill ski, or enjoy the sights and sounds of the big city. Whether it's for sightseeing or shows, auditions or internships, Rider's campuses are only 90 minutes by train to the heart of Manhattan or an hour to downtown Philadelphia.

Rider Results

The greatest legacy of a Rider education is measured by the success of its alumni. Rider alumni have gone on to great success at many of the country's top-ranked graduate and professional schools. They have competed for and won prestigious internships, research grants, scholarships, and fellowships -- including numerous Fulbright Scholars.

The outcomes of a Rider education are clear: over 90% of Rider graduates are employed full- or part-time, pursuing graduate study, or involved in a volunteer or fellowship position within six months of graduating. And, 273 Rider alumni are presidents, CEOs, and leaders of national or international corporations or organizations.

Private and Affordable

Rider is proud to be private and affordable. Students benefit from the many advantages of Rider's private university experience -- and generous scholarship and financial aid programs that focus on making its "bottom line" costs extremely competitive with most public colleges and universities.

Financial aid is personal and tailored to each student's needs and circumstances -- starting with the assigning of a personal financial aid advisor to each student. Ninety-nine percent of Rider students receive various forms of financial aid and 98% receive Rider-funded scholarships and gift aid. The average annual student assistance package at Rider is $34,000.