New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) maintained its No. 40 position among the nation’s top public universities in U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 Best Colleges rankings, while advancing in social mobility and undergraduate computer science and engineering.
NJIT tied for No. 85 overall among national universities, the university’s latest rankings include:
- No. 31 in Top Performers on Social Mobility — a three-spot improvement from last year
- No. 88 in Undergraduate Computer Science Programs — a 19-place jump from last year
- No. 72 in Undergraduate Engineering Programs — up five places among programs at institutions that award doctorates
- No. 90 in Best Value Schools for In-State Students — a new category introduced in the 2027 rankings.
The recognition follows NJIT’s placement as the No. 1 public university in New Jersey and No. 38 among public institutions nationwide in TIME’s inaugural America’s Best Colleges 2026–2027 ranking, which emphasizes student outcomes that include graduate earnings and return on educational investment.
“These rankings recognize the work of a university committed to expanding opportunity and helping students achieve their goals,” said Interim President John A. Pelesko. “That commitment comes to life through faculty mentorship, hands-on learning and alumni who open doors for the next generation. We are proud to see our students go on to enjoy highly successful careers and make important contributions to the world.”
Recent examples of NJIT’s impact on student success and technological innovation include:
- Kaily Peixoto ’26, whose path began with programs supporting Newark students. A graduate of the NJIT Math Success Initiative and a Newark Mayor’s Scholar, Peixoto earned her degree in construction engineering technology while serving as a tutor, peer mentor and community volunteer. Internships with the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, Newark Housing Authority and AECOM helped prepare her to join AECOM’s team as an engineer after graduation.
- Pablo Leyva, an applied mathematics and computer science double major, completed his second Apple internship this summer, contributing to projects exploring how people interact with artificial intelligence. He credits NJIT coursework, alumni mentors and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers with helping him prepare for those opportunities. As a student leader, Leyva has extended that support to others through mentoring and leadership opportunities for younger Highlanders.
- NJIT researchers are bringing similar collaboration to challenges facing New Jersey. This spring, the university launched the New Jersey PFAS Partnership Innovation Consortium, bringing together universities, industry, utilities and government to advance ways to detect, remove and replace “forever chemicals.” The initiative connects research with the needs of communities and water providers, including work at NJIT on improved filtration technologies for capturing PFAS.
- Alumni are also connecting NJIT talent with projects that will shape the state’s future. Marjorie Perry ’05, Michael Kasian ’85 and Rosana Caputo ’99 helped bring Highlanders onto the team building the Newark segment of New Jersey’s Greenway. Their efforts created opportunities for Gira Abdou ’26 and Denilson Olivera ’23 to gain engineering and construction experience while helping transform a former rail corridor into accessible public green space.
