Best Research Universities in New Jersey 2024

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Interested in attending a STEM school in New Jersey? Our ranking of top research universities for bachelor’s degrees displays schools that will best prepare you for STEM careers.

10 Best Research Universities in New Jersey 2024

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  1. Princeton University
  2. Seton Hall University
  3. Stevens Institute of Technology
  4. Rutgers University–Camden
  5. New Jersey Institute of Technology
  6. Rowan University
  7. Montclair State University
  8. Rutgers University–New Brunswick
  9. Rutgers University–Newark
  1. Princeton University
  2. Stevens Institute of Technology
  3. Seton Hall University
  4. Rutgers University–Camden
  5. New Jersey Institute of Technology
  6. Montclair State University
  7. Rowan University
  8. Rutgers University–Newark
  9. Rutgers University–New Brunswick
  1. Montclair State University 91%
  2. Rowan University 84%
  3. Rutgers University–Camden 79%
  4. Seton Hall University 77%
  5. Rutgers University–Newark 77%
  6. New Jersey Institute of Technology 69%
  7. Rutgers University–New Brunswick 68%
  8. Stevens Institute of Technology 53%
  9. Princeton University 4%
  1. Montclair State University 18 to 1
  2. Rowan University 17 to 1
  3. Rutgers University–New Brunswick 16 to 1
  4. New Jersey Institute of Technology 15 to 1
  5. Rutgers University–Camden 15 to 1
  6. Rutgers University–Newark 15 to 1
  7. Seton Hall University 14 to 1
  8. Stevens Institute of Technology 12 to 1
  9. Princeton University 4 to 1
  1. Stevens Institute of Technology $56,920
  2. Princeton University $56,010
  3. Seton Hall University $46,880
  4. New Jersey Institute of Technology $14,790
  5. Rutgers University–New Brunswick $12,536
  6. Rutgers University–Camden $12,536
  7. Rutgers University–Newark $12,536
  8. Montclair State University $12,323
  9. Rowan University $10,302
  1. Princeton University $56,010
  2. Stevens Institute of Technology $38,076
  3. Seton Hall University $25,218
  4. New Jersey Institute of Technology $21,342
  5. Rutgers University–New Brunswick $18,180
  6. Rutgers University–Camden $18,168
  7. Rutgers University–Newark $18,168
  8. Rowan University $13,169
  9. Montclair State University $12,978
  1. Rutgers University–Newark
  2. Rutgers University–New Brunswick
  3. Montclair State University
  4. Rowan University
  5. New Jersey Institute of Technology
  6. Rutgers University–Camden
  7. Stevens Institute of Technology
  8. Seton Hall University
  9. Princeton University
  1. Rutgers University–New Brunswick
  2. Rutgers University–Newark
  3. Rowan University
  4. Montclair State University
  5. New Jersey Institute of Technology
  6. Rutgers University–Camden
  7. Seton Hall University
  8. Stevens Institute of Technology
  9. Princeton University
  1. Princeton University 4%
  2. Stevens Institute of Technology 53%
  3. Rutgers University–New Brunswick 68%
  4. New Jersey Institute of Technology 69%
  5. Rutgers University–Newark 77%
  6. Seton Hall University 77%
  7. Rutgers University–Camden 79%
  8. Rowan University 84%
  9. Montclair State University 91%
  1. Princeton University 4 to 1
  2. Stevens Institute of Technology 12 to 1
  3. Seton Hall University 14 to 1
  4. New Jersey Institute of Technology 15 to 1
  5. Rutgers University–Camden 15 to 1
  6. Rutgers University–Newark 15 to 1
  7. Rutgers University–New Brunswick 16 to 1
  8. Rowan University 17 to 1
  9. Montclair State University 18 to 1
  1. Rowan University $10,302
  2. Montclair State University $12,323
  3. Rutgers University–New Brunswick $12,536
  4. Rutgers University–Camden $12,536
  5. Rutgers University–Newark $12,536
  6. New Jersey Institute of Technology $14,790
  7. Seton Hall University $46,880
  8. Princeton University $56,010
  9. Stevens Institute of Technology $56,920
  1. Montclair State University $12,978
  2. Rowan University $13,169
  3. Rutgers University–Camden $18,168
  4. Rutgers University–Newark $18,168
  5. Rutgers University–New Brunswick $18,180
  6. New Jersey Institute of Technology $21,342
  7. Seton Hall University $25,218
  8. Stevens Institute of Technology $38,076
  9. Princeton University $56,010

Colleges and Universities in New Jersey

Nearly half of the colleges and universities in this state are private, and tuition rates range from $6,000 to $52,000. With a graduation rate of 97% and a student population of just over 7,000, Princeton University is the state’s most esteemed institution. Narrowing in on the sciences and arts, this Ivy League school offers unique areas of study, including robotics, intelligent systems, and public life. The remaining 31 public colleges and universities range in tuition from $4,000 to $17,000.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

The state’s largest and top-ranked public research institution is Rutgers University. With campuses in New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden as well as smaller locations across the state, Rutgers awards degrees in physics, economics, criminal justice, and psychology. New Jersey also has 11 religiously affiliated colleges and universities, including the oldest diocesan university in the United States, Seton Hall University. This Roman Catholic university has a tuition rate of $42,000 and a student population of over 8,000.

New Jersey, known for its sandy shores and busy expressways, also has more diners than any other state in the U.S., as well as the world’s longest boardwalk, located in Atlantic City. Many influential people, including Buzz Aldrin, Frank Sinatra, and Thomas Edison, have called The Garden State home. Visitors can even peek at some of Edison’s early light bulbs at the Menlo Park Museum. And with 50 higher learning institutions to choose from, students can find a school that suits their career path and budget.

Learn more about earning your degree from one of New Jersey’s highly regarded colleges and universities.


What are New Jersey’s Colleges & Universities?

New Jersey’s Best Overall

Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges

New Jersey's Best Research Universities Badge
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A research university is a great option for students interested in obtaining STEM degrees. Research universities invest heavily in research, which consequently provides meaningful and extensive opportunities for its students and faculty to participate in research. We’ve identified 9 research universities in New Jersey. To be included in our ranking, schools must be a fully accredited universities and must must offer doctoral degrees across the range of STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).

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Best Research Universities in New Jersey 2023

  1. #1

    Princeton University

    Princeton , NJ
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    98%

    Student body

    8K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1510/33

    Career Outlook for degree at Princeton University

    Cost of Degree: $57,410
    Expenses: $23,005
    Starting Salary: $116,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $16K

    Acceptance

    79%

    Graduation

    71%

    Student body

    8K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1075/20

    Career Outlook for degree at Rutgers University–Camden

    Cost of Degree: $16,112
    Expenses: $18,517
    Starting Salary: $68,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Rutgers University–Camden known for?

    Rutgers University–Camden’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Rutgers University–Camden’s Online Degrees

    BA in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Nursing: RN to BSN
    • Required Credits: 121
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  3. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $18K

    Acceptance

    69%

    Graduation

    74%

    Student body

    14K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1295/28

    Career Outlook for degree at New Jersey Institute of Technology

    Cost of Degree: $18,512
    Expenses: $21,650
    Starting Salary: $70,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    New Jersey Institute of Technology’s Online Degrees

    BS in Business
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  4. Tuition + fees

    $16K

    Acceptance

    68%

    Graduation

    84%

    Student body

    57K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1295/28

    Career Outlook for degree at Rutgers University–New Brunswick

    Cost of Degree: $16,263
    Expenses: $19,503
    Starting Salary: $68,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  5. Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    77%

    Graduation

    65%

    Student body

    15K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1090/20

    Career Outlook for degree at Rutgers University–Newark

    Cost of Degree: $15,648
    Expenses: $19,937
    Starting Salary: $68,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Rutgers University–Newark known for?

    Rutgers University–Newark’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

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Find the Best Research Universities in New Jersey for Your Area of Interest

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

  1. Princeton University
  2. Stevens Institute of Technology
  3. New Jersey Institute of Technology
  4. Seton Hall University
  5. Montclair State University
  6. Rutgers University–Camden
  7. Rutgers University–Newark
  8. Rowan University
  9. Rutgers University–New Brunswick

Check out our directory of research universities throughout the U.S. for a look at the top research institutions in every state.

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