The plan to merge New Jersey City University into Kean University took a big step forward Monday.
Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation transferring all of New Jersey City University’s academic programs, facilities and assets to Kean University while allotting $25 million in support of the transition, among other procedural steps.
“This is a pivotal moment for students across New Jersey,” said Kean University President Lamont Repollet.
Officials have set July 1 as a target date for completing the merger, which remains subject to review by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the U.S. Department of Education.
All New Jersey City University students would become students of Kean University. New Jersey City University’s campus in Jersey City would serve as a metropolitan campus for Kean University known as Kean Jersey City.
The governing boards at both institutions approved the merger last year and it would be among the largest-ever in New Jersey.
Kean University enrolls approximately 19,000 students, including students on its China satellite campus. New Jersey City University has about 5,500 students.
The planned merger is designed to help New Jersey City University stay open. The 99-year-old institution has grappled with financial problems for years.
New Jersey City University President Andrés Acebo said the merger would strengthen its role as “a vital pathway to public higher education in Hudson County and Jersey City, rooted in a deep commitment to access, opportunity, and community.”
New Jersey City University was assigned a monitor by the state in 2023 and directed to identify a potential university partner. School officials explored a possible merger with Montclair State University before announcing plans last March to proceed with Kean.
Moody’s, one of the nation’s “big three” credit agencies, cited the proposed merger and other factors in upgrading New Jersey City University’s financial outlook from “stable” to “positive” last spring.
“Our students and our community will have access to expanded academic offerings, enhanced resources and support services, and new community-centered opportunities, all while staying rooted in the Jersey City community that we are proud and privileged to serve,” Acebo said Monday of the planned merger.
New Jersey City University awarded 1,544 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees at its 2025 commencement ceremony in May.