From what I have heard, UMDNJ has a great reputation. I've spent some time there and found the faculty to be really nice and helpful -- more importantly, the students seemed very happy there.
It is a state school.
The general area is poop but the campus and its immediate surroundings arent too bad.. There are plenty of places to live that are in nice areas which are within 20 minutes of the school.
Besides all the good, I have also heard some bad. I hear its a bit political there -- maybe even a bit cut throat. I only heard about it, never saw it for myself. Then again, I am not a student there.