William Paterson University has once again been recognized by Forbes as one of New Jersey’s Best-In-State Employers, securing the prestigious distinction for the third consecutive year.
The annual ranking, compiled in partnership with market research firm Statista, evaluates organizations based on workplace culture, professional development opportunities, compensation, benefits, diversity, and overall employee satisfaction. William Paterson was chosen among the 90 New Jersey organizations recognized on the 2026 list, which was officially released on Aug. 13.
“Receiving this Forbes recognition for the third consecutive year is especially meaningful because it is based on independent surveys of employees, including our dedicated faculty and staff,” University President Richard Helldobler said. “All our employees share an unrelenting dedication to student success, and William Paterson is committed to empowering them in that mission by building and sustaining a strong institutional culture where they can thrive personally and professionally.”
The 2026 rankings are derived from an independent survey of more than 245,000 U.S. employees working at organizations with at least 500 personnel. The evaluation process considered over 2 million employer assessments, incorporating both direct employee feedback regarding their own workplaces and public recommendations from professionals within the same industries. William Paterson employs nearly 1,000 full-time faculty and staff.
The university’s latest accolades follow its recent designation as a “2025 Great College to Work For”—a title awarded to just 76 higher education institutions nationwide. Leadership attributes this sustained workplace satisfaction to robust internal career growth pathways (where more than half of positions are filled via internal promotions), flexible hybrid work models, a four-day summer workweek, comprehensive tuition benefits for employees and their dependents, and nationally recognized professional development programs.
“We’ve worked intentionally to create an environment where people feel supported, challenged and empowered to grow throughout their careers,” Allison Boucher-Jarvis, vice president for human resources at William Paterson University, said. “Seeing that reflected in employee feedback year after year is incredibly rewarding.”
Alongside higher education institutions like William Paterson University, several prominent New Jersey-based employers, transportation agencies, and corporations were recognized on the 2026 Forbes America’s Best-In-State Employers list for New Jersey. Notable honoress include:
- NJ TRANSIT — Ranked #1 in the Transportation and Logistics category for the fourth consecutive year and #71 overall among New Jersey employers.
- Novo Nordisk (Plainsboro) — A prominent leader in the state’s pharmaceutical and life sciences sector, recognized high among state employers (ranking around #42 nationally in broader companion lists).
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Various other health care systems, utility providers, and public institutions across the Garden State also met Statista and Forbes’ rigorous employee recommendation thresholds – The full list can be viewed here.
