In 1934, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, established University College as an evening college offering programs of study leading to a bachelor's degree. Major branches of University College were established in Camden, Newark, and New Brunswick. In 1981, each of these branches became a separate college within the university. In 2007, University College-New Brunswick was merged into the School of Arts and Sciences with the other liberal arts colleges on that campus.

Today, University College-Newark is a college designed for the nontraditional student who has work and family obligations during the day and who attends class in the evening or on Saturday. The college is served by the distinguished School of Arts and Sciences-Newark and supported by co-adjutant faculty who bring to the classroom their special expertise in their respective areas of research and professional work experience. Students in University College enjoy a wide variety of course offerings and can choose from majors in nearly 40 fields.