New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) has earned the highest rating awarded to a public university in New Jersey in Money’s 2026 Best Colleges guide. NJIT earned 4.5 out of 5 stars, the highest rating awarded to a New Jersey public university and trailing only five-star Princeton University among institutions statewide.
The recognition reflects NJIT’s combination of an accessible public-university education, strong academic programs and career outcomes. Money describes NJIT as a “launchpad for future engineers and architects” and highlights its technical education, small classes, hands-on career preparation and programs in engineering, computing, business and architecture. The publication reports median alumni earnings of nearly $92,000 four years after students leave the university.
4.5 out of 5 stars
“Money’s recognition affirms NJIT’s commitment to delivering an exceptional education that prepares students for robust career opportunities and professional success,” said NJIT President Teik C. Lim. “Our students graduate and thrive in high-demand fields while contributing to the innovation economy. That combination of affordability, academic quality and strong career outcomes is central to our mission as a public polytechnic university.”
Money evaluated 735 four-year public and private nonprofit colleges using 25 factors across three categories: affordability, which accounted for 40% of the rating; quality of education, 30%; and student outcomes, 30%. Measures included the net cost of earning a degree, financial aid, student borrowing, graduation rates, alumni earnings, employment and economic mobility.
The publication also uses value-added measures that compare colleges’ graduation and earnings results with outcomes expected for institutions serving similar students. Its earnings analysis adjusts for differences in colleges’ academic program offerings, helping distinguish institutional performance from the effects of enrolling large numbers of students in traditionally high-paying majors.
