Education & Workforce in New Jersey

Kean University, New Jersey’s urban research university, is a national institution of higher education recognized for its diversity, innovation, and the social mobility of its graduates. Founded in 1855, Kean collaborates with a wide range of industries to address issues across the globe.

The university has three campuses in New Jersey, a virtual campus through Kean Online, and is the only public American university with a campus in China at Wenzhou-Kean University, serving more than 17,000 undergraduate and graduate students worldwide.

Montclair State University is at the forefront of academic excellence and research innovation. With 10 degree-granting schools and colleges, Montclair State offers more than 300 programs spanning doctoral, master’s, and baccalaureate levels.

At the heart of Montclair’s research prowess are its centers and institutes, which include the Clean Energy and Sustainability Analytics Center, the Sokol Institute for Pharmaceutical Life Sciences, the PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies, and the Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. These centers exemplify the university’s commitment to pioneering research that addresses crucial global challenges, from clean energy and sustainability to pharmaceutical innovation and entrepreneurship.

New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is an excellent institution for cultivating technological talent in New Jersey. The New York Times’ college ranking tool rates NJIT No. 1 nationally among all public universities when you prioritize high alumni earnings, economic mobility, and academic profile. And, the Wall Street Journal rates NJIT No. 2 among public universities in the United States.

The university cemented its commitment to cutting-edge research by establishing the New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII), which operates as a dynamic corporate entity, fostering industry-led innovation through practical solutions, technical assistance, and the commercialization of technology. NJII divisions span healthcare, defense, biopharma, and more.

Consistently ranked the #1 university in the nation, Princeton University boasts more than 50 Nobel Prize winners among its faculty, staff, and alumni.

The scope of research ranges from robust engagement with the major challenges of our time — energy, the environment, health, and security — to probing the origin of the universe. Princeton, for instance, is creating an Artificial Intelligence hub in collaboration with the NJEDA, and leads the Google AI Lab, a space dedicated to improving computational algorithms. Collaborating across disciplines, Princeton researchers expand the confines of knowledge and explore potential advances in emerging fields like bioengineering, quantum science, and more.

Nationally recognized for innovation, high-quality affordable education, and its public-private partnerships, Rowan’s mission to solve real-world problems sets it apart as a dynamic research institution. One of two public universities in the nation to offer M.D. and D.O. degree programs, Rowan is also developing New Jersey’s first veterinary medical school.

Rowan’s commitment to collaboration is evident in its extensive partnerships with government entities, businesses, and industry leaders worldwide. These collaborations position Rowan as a pivotal R&D resource, bridging academic research and industry needs.

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is the only public institution in the state to be included in the esteemed Association of American Universities. Rutgers is also a leading national research university and New Jersey’s largest public institution of higher education.

In 2023, Rutgers demonstrated its research prowess with externally sponsored research grants and sponsored programs totaling nearly $1 billion dollars. It also collaborated through research activities with 570 companies in 2020. These achievements reflect the university’s engagement with industry partners. Rutgers is also home to the Rutgers Food Innovation Center (FIC), the world’s only “soft landings” incubator for food companies seeking to establish a presence in the United States.

Stevens Institute of Technology is a premier private research university in Hoboken, New Jersey. Stevens prepares its more than 8,500 students for an increasingly complex and technology-centric world. Students collaborate closely with world-class faculty in an interdisciplinary, student-centric, entrepreneurial environment. Academic and research programs span business, computing, engineering, and the arts.

Stevens is home to two National Centers of Excellence — the Center for the Advancement of Secure Systems and Information Assurance (CASSIA) and the Systems Engineering Research Center (SERC) — as well as research centers in disciplines such as AI. Stevens is consistently ranked among the nation’s leaders in ROI and career services.