Rutgers University had its best U.S. News & World Report showing in school history Monday — and it wasn’t the only New Jersey institution with something to celebrate.
Rutgers-New Brunswick came in at No. 44 among all National Universities, one of six New Jersey schools to crack the Top 100, including all three Rutgers campuses.
Rutgers-Camden was No. 73; Rutgers-Newark was No. 95. All three were among the Top 50 for public universities.
“These rankings reflect Rutgers’ sustained investment in academic excellence and social mobility,” Rutgers President William Tate IV said.
The Rutgers numbers landed the same day U.S. News released its full 2027 Best Colleges rankings — the annual exercise that reshuffles where New Jersey’s colleges and universities stand nationally, and one that always generates plenty of both celebration and anxiety on campuses.
This year’s edition carried a headline of its own: Princeton fell to No. 2 among national universities, ending a 15-year run at No. 1, edged out by M.I.T.
Stevens (No. 59); NJIT (No. 85) also were in the Top 100.
Amid that backdrop, several other schools flagged notable movement of their own Monday, from a first-time appearance in the top-tier national rankings to steady gains in social mobility measures.
Here’s a rundown of what schools around the state are saying about their numbers:
Monmouth University: It debuted in the National Universities category for the first time, landing at No. 169 and No. 83 among Top Private National Universities, a ranking U.S. News introduced this year. The school also placed No. 68 for social mobility.
“Being recognized as a National University confirms that our efforts and our achievements resonate well beyond our region,” President Patrick Leahy said.
Seton Hall University: It rose two spots to No. 156 among National Universities and ranked No. 21 among Catholic National Universities. The school also placed No. 56 nationally in U.S. News’ new “Earnings by Major” measure.
“This and other recent confirmations of the University’s excellence are a testament to the vibrancy of our Catholic mission,” Monsignor Joseph Reilly, Seton Hall’s president, said.
Stockton University: It placed No. 8 among 48 public regional universities in the North and No. 1 in New Jersey for both social mobility and support of veterans in that category. The school’s Pell Grant recipients graduate at a 72% six-year rate, nearly double the 39.1% national average.
“I’m especially proud of our commitment to veterans and to first-generation and low-income students,” said President Joe Bertolino.
Kean University: It rose to No. 68 among national universities for social mobility, up from No. 81 the previous year.
“Where a student begins should never determine how high they can climb,” President Lamont Repollet said.
Here is a look at all the rankings:
New Jersey among national schools:
- Princeton: No. 2
- Rutgers-New Brunswick: No. 44
- Stevens: No. 59
- Rutgers-Newark: No. 73
- NJIT: No. 85
- Rutgers-Camden: No. 95
- Montclair State: No. 156
- Seton Hall: No. 156
- Monmouth: No. 169
- Rowan: No.191
- Kean: No. 317
New Jersey also placed 10 schools among the top regional universities in the North. Regional universities essentially are those that do not have Ph.D programs. The list:
- TCNJ: No. 5
- Stockton: No. 19
- Ramapo: No. 25
- FDU-Florham: No. 32
- St. Peter’s: No. 37
- Rider: No. 45
- FDU-Metro (Teaneck): No. 62
- Caldwell: No. 81
- William Paterson: No. 89
- College of St. Elizabeth: No. 98
