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Stevens Institute of Technology climbed 21 spots to No. 59 in U.S. News’ 2027 rankings, while Princeton University fell to No. 2 nationally.
Princeton University’s 15-year run at the top of the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings has ended, with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology taking the No. 1 position in the 2027 rankings released Tuesday.
MIT moved ahead of Princeton after receiving particularly strong scores for graduate earnings and faculty research, according to U.S. News. Harvard University retained the No. 3 position, the same ranking it held last year.
Several universities in New Jersey also appeared among the nation’s top 100 national universities.
Stevens Institute of Technology recorded the largest improvement among New Jersey schools, rising 21 positions to No. 59. The New Jersey Institute of Technology, meanwhile, dropped five places to No. 85.
Rutgers University-New Brunswick ranked No. 44, down two positions from last year. Rutgers-Newark rose two places to No. 73, while Rutgers-Camden also moved up two spots to No. 95.
Montclair State University and Seton Hall University were tied at No. 156, with both institutions improving by two positions.
Monmouth University entered the national universities ranking for the first time after U.S. News changed its eligibility criteria. It ranked No. 169 nationally.
Rowan University recorded the largest decline among the listed New Jersey institutions, falling 22 places to No. 191. Kean University moved up one position to No. 317.
U.S. News introduced a new ranking metric this year measuring graduates’ earnings four years after college. The measure focuses on graduates who received federal financial aid, which U.S. News said is intended to reduce the influence of family wealth and personal connections on the rankings.
LaMont Jones, managing editor for education at U.S. News & World Report, said the rankings should be viewed as a starting point rather than the sole basis for choosing a college.
Jones encouraged students and families to consider factors including affordability, student outcomes and career prospects when evaluating universities.
New Jersey Universities in the 2027 U.S. News Rankings
- Princeton University — No. 2
- Rutgers University-New Brunswick — No. 44
- Stevens Institute of Technology — No. 59
- Rutgers-Newark — No. 73
- New Jersey Institute of Technology — No. 85
- Rutgers-Camden — No. 95
- Montclair State University — No. 156
- Seton Hall University — No. 156
- Monmouth University — No. 169
- Rowan University — No. 191
- Kean University — No. 317
