New Jersey City University (NJCU) and Kean University have signed a letter of intent (LOI) to begin the process of merging both institutions on May 16, 2024. The merger is scheduled for completion by June 2026, pending approval from several regulatory and accreditation agencies, including the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE), the New Jersey Legislature, and the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE).
Kean University will take full control of NJCU, which includes assuming all assets and liabilities. NJCU’s current operations will be restructured under a new campus named “Kean Jersey City.” Kean’s president will provide executive oversight. A chancellor, selected by Kean’s president, will manage day-to-day operations at the new campus. NJCU students will automatically become Kean students without changes to their academic progress. NJCU will retain some representation on Kean’s Board of Trustees.
- NJCU and Kean University have signed a letter of intent to merge by June 2026, transforming NJCU into “Kean Jersey City,” subject to state and federal approvals.
- Kean will take over NJCU’s assets, liabilities, and operations, while NJCU students will automatically transition into Kean students without disrupting their education.
- The merger is part of a state-supported recovery plan to help NJCU overcome years of financial mismanagement, enrollment decline, and institutional instability.
NJCU’s Financial Collapse and State Intervention
NJCU declared a financial emergency in 2021. In 2018, NJCU enrolled 7,991 students. By 2023, that number dropped to 5,833, a 27% decrease. Between 2022 and 2023 alone, enrollment fell 10.8%. The university had increased spending on campus development, student services, and scholarships, but those investments did not stop the enrollment decline. NJCU’s expenses grew while revenues fell.
A 2023 report from the New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller criticized NJCU leadership for failing to inform the board of trustees about the extent of the financial crisis. The report also stated that the university likely violated federal law by using pandemic relief funds for an existing scholarship program.
In response, the State of New Jersey appointed a monitor and provided emergency financial assistance: $10 million in initial relief followed by $17 million in stabilization funding. In March 2024, OSHE gave NJCU a deadline of March 31, 2025, to find a long-term financial partner. Kean University was selected as the merger partner.
Kean’s Institutional Stability and Merger Role
Kean University is based in Union County, New Jersey. In fall 2023, Kean had 13,352 enrolled students, a 5% decrease over five years. Despite the decline, Kean remains financially stable and is designated as an R2 research institution. Both Kean and NJCU are Hispanic-Serving Institutions and focus on serving first-generation, adult, and historically underserved students.
Under the terms of the merger, Kean will manage all academic, financial, and administrative operations at the Kean Jersey City campus. The merged institution will integrate athletic programs, combine administrative services, and align academic departments. NJCU students will have continued access to their programs, and Kean will offer additional academic and research opportunities.
Regulatory Plan and Implementation Timeline
The LOI outlines a multi-phase process. The first milestone is a formal change in control, targeted for June 2026. This step requires approval from the Kean Board of Trustees, MSCHE, OSHE, and the New Jersey Legislature. The final implementation of the merger is subject to approval by the U.S. Department of Education. Once approved, Kean Jersey City will operate fully under the Kean University system.
A joint integration team from both universities has already begun work. The team is coordinating with OSHE and drafting shared services agreements to reduce costs and improve student support. These agreements will cover operations, academic administration, and student services.
State Support and Institutional Goals
New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education Brian Bridges called the merger a student-centered strategy that fulfills the requirements of NJCU’s transition plan. Governor Phil Murphy also endorsed the merger, stating that it supports long-term institutional resilience.
Kean President Lamont O. Repollet said the merger strengthens public higher education in the state. NJCU Interim President Andrés Acebo said the move continues NJCU’s mission as it approaches its centennial. Both institutions emphasized maintaining their commitment to access, equity, and student success.
This is the first public university merger in New Jersey in recent years. The state and both universities view it as a structural solution to NJCU’s financial collapse and as a way to expand Kean’s role in public education.
The final agreement, due diligence, and full integration plans are in development. If the timeline proceeds as expected, Kean Jersey City will open as a fully merged campus by mid-2026.
