In a state where competition for talent and economic influence is fierce, a new survey reveals that for New Jersey’s business community, there is one institution that stands above the rest: Rutgers University.
A study commissioned by the university and conducted by StimSight Research found that a staggering 94% of New Jersey businesses hold a favorable view of the state’s premier public university. Even more impressive, 58% of those surveyed described their opinion as “very favorable.”
The data highlights a deep-seated trust in the “Rutgers brand” as a primary engine for the state’s economy and a top-tier pipeline for its workforce.
For Garden State employers, the value of a Rutgers degree isn’t just academic—it’s practical. The survey found:
-
Employee excellence: 90% of businesses believe Rutgers graduates are above average or among their best employees.
-
Internship success: 83% of businesses rated Rutgers student workers and interns as above average or top-tier.
-
Economic impact: 79% of businesses credited the university with contributing directly to the state’s economic vitality.
Patrick Murray, the founder of StimSight Research and former director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, noted that Rutgers has become synonymous with higher education in the region. When asked to name a college or university, 64% of New Jerseyans named Rutgers first—easily beating out elite neighbors like Princeton (27%) and NYU (20%).
“If you’re in New Jersey, you think Rutgers,” Murray told the Board of Governors at their Wednesday meeting in Camden.
The survey arrives at a time when the national conversation around the “worth” of a college degree is shifting. While recent Gallup polls show a decline in how much Americans value higher education, Rutgers President William Tate IV believes these results show that the university is bucking that trend.
“It speaks volumes about what people think of Rutgers in this state,” Tate said. “It’s very positive, and I look forward to many more people graduating so that those numbers will keep going through the roof.”
The timing of the report is also strategic. With the state currently providing about 18% of the university’s $5.9 billion budget, Board of Governors member Gary Taffet suggested the findings should be a key talking point for the administration of Gov. Mikie Sherrill.
By demonstrating such a high “return on investment” for New Jersey’s private and non-profit sectors, Rutgers leaders hope to secure continued—and perhaps increased—support from state leaders in the coming fiscal year.
