Rider University (RU) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Immediately after the end of the United States Civil War, two entrepreneurs who had already founded a collection of business schools decided to expand their educational reach to the state of New Jersey. The Trenton Business College was created in Trenton, New Jersey. The school’s first president, a man named Andrew Jackson Rider, helped to grow the college to accommodate the needs of the increasing student population. The college experienced many changes over the next century including the admittance of women, the introduction of a liberal arts program of study, a move to nearby Lawrenceville, New Jersey, and a name change to Rider University.

Rider University gets its name and its school colors from Andrew Jackson Rider, the first president of the school. Mr. Rider was a well-known cranberry farmer in the New England area and owned several acres of cranberry bogs. The school’s colors are cranberry and white in memory of the school’s first president.

In recent years, Rider University has continued to expand. Since the year 2000, all of the university’s expansions have been approved and endorsed with a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification. This prestigious recognition is given to buildings created with a mission to conserve energy and natural resources. A new residence hall, an expansion of the Moore Library, and an addition to the school’s large student theater have all been completed in the past decade.

Information Summary

Ranks 16th in New Jersey and 796th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	83.0
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$62,140
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	25 / 1190
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	18 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	78% / 33%
Enrollment Total (all students)	4,824

Academics

Rider University is a private liberal arts university, and all of its degree opportunities are offered with majors in the fields of liberal arts. These programs are broken down into five distinct schools of post-secondary education. The College of Business, the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Education and Science, the College of Continuing Studies, and the Westminster College of the Arts

The College of Business offers bachelor’s degree programs in business management, accounting, marketing, advertising, and other business-related ventures. Both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the School of Business are accredited by the AACSB. Two graduate degrees are offered in the business program of Rider University. Many students opt to continue their business education at Rider by pursuing a master’s degree in either accounting or administration.

The College of Education and Science at Rider University is a program designed for prospective teachers of all ages. Elementary education and secondary education degrees are offered at Rider University with the option of teacher licensure after graduation. Student’s can also pursue master’s degrees in administration, curriculum, counseling and other education-related programs.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Unique Programs

The Westminster College of the Arts at Rider University is actually broken down into two separate schools. Students can choose to complete a degree in the School of Fine and Performing Arts where they will study theater, musical theater, stage combat, stage production and other theatrical subjects. Students can also opt to major in music at the Westminster Choir College. This branch of Rider University is located nearby in the borough of Princeton, New Jersey.

Admissions

Students who wish to be admitted to Rider University are advised to begin the application process immediately following their Junior year of high school. Admittance into the university is highly competitive. Students from all over the country and the world seek out Rider University for their post-secondary education because of its extensive business, education, and music degree options.

The admissions process can be started by filling out the online application on the university’s official web page. It is important to note that an online application does not require a processing fee. However, students who choose to send their applications through the mail or by fax may have to pay a processing fee. This application gives important information regarding a student’s academic, social, extracurricular and community-involvement history.

Students who graduated in the top fifty percent of their high school class are more likely to be considered for admission to Rider University. Similarly, students with a wide array of interests and involvement such as community volunteer work, extracurricular activities, club participation, or local church involvement are more likely to be considered for admission.

Financial Aid

Rider University offers several options for offsetting the cost of university attendance. Students who have financial need may be able to secure government loans and grants to help pay for tuition. These loans and grants are awarded after a student fills out and submits the FAFSA. This form can be filled out online or by visiting the Financial Aid office on Rider University’s campus.

Rider University also offers many scholarships to its students. These scholarships are generally awarded in one of two categories: Academic or Audition-based. Academic scholarships are awarded to students who have exceeded academic standards in their high school GPA and on standardized tests. The higher a student performed in high school, the larger the scholarship he or she can be considered for. Students who receive academic scholarships must maintain a specific GPA at Rider University to continue to be eligible for that scholarship.

Because Rider University offers many courses in the performing arts, several scholarships are awarded to outstanding artists in music and theater. These scholarships are awarded based on a student’s audition at the school. Students who are interested in auditioning for a fine arts scholarship must visit the Financial Aid office or contact the Westminster College of the Arts for more information.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 432nd for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in New Jersey.

Students

Students at Rider University are very involved in the many Greek fraternities and sororities with chapters at the university. There are four fraternities and eight sororities that men and women can join and participate in. In addition to the Greek clubs, there are a variety of other social, academic, and athletic clubs available to all students.

Every year, the school hosts a large celebration known as Greek Week. During this week, students compete with their fraternities and sororities in a variety of games, tasks, and competitions. Students also serve the community by raising funds or awareness of a charity of their choice. Many students who aren’t involved in Greek clubs turn out to support and assist their favorite fraternities, sororities, or charity.

Because of the artistic nature of the university, students are always welcome to attend the many concerts, plays, musical theater productions, and choral productions put on by the students throughout the year. The quality of the productions at Rider University is unmatched in the state of New Jersey.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Bibliography

“Regional University North Rankings | Top Regional Universities North | US News Best Colleges.” US News & World Report | News & Rankings | Best Colleges, Best Hospitals, and More. US News & World Report, 2009. Web. 15 May 2011. <http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/regional-universities-north>.

Rider Homepage | Rider University. RU, 2011. Web. 22 May 2011. <http://www.rider.edu>.

Stern, Robert. “Rider University Breaks Ground.” The Times [Trenton, NJ] 9 May 2010. Print.

Rider University