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Newark, NJpublicnjit.edu
Admit rate has ranged 66%–73% over the last 5 years. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is a public research university in Newark that punches above its weight in STEM fields, particularly engineering and computer science. With a 65% acceptance rate and strong industry ties, NJIT delivers high-value outcomes—its graduates earn median salaries of $76,000 right out of school, well above national averages. The campus vibe is no-frills and academically intense, with weekends described as 'empty' but weekdays buzzing with research and co-op opportunities.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
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Outcomes & value
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
NJIT is somewhat selective, with a 65% acceptance rate (2023-24 cycle). The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1210-1460 on the SAT or 25-31 on the ACT, with average enrolled scores at 1285 SAT and 26 ACT. Applications are due by March 1 for regular decision, and deferred admission is available for those postponing enrollment. Notably, 68.6% of students receive financial aid, softening the sticker price for many.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
NJIT is STEM-centric, with engineering, computer science, and architecture dominating its academic profile. The university offers 125+ degree programs, including NAAB-accredited architecture degrees and a top-10-ranked engineering program (per Money magazine). The curriculum is notoriously rigorous, especially in math and core STEM requirements. Hands-on learning is emphasized: students frequently engage in research projects, co-ops, and industry partnerships—key reasons why graduates are so employable.
Life at NJIT leans commuter-heavy and academically focused, with students noting that weekends are quiet (many go home). Still, there are 140+ student clubs, including robotics teams and hackathons, plus Division I athletics. The Campus Center serves as a hub for meals, meetings, and films. Greek life exists but isn’t dominant. Newark’s urban setting provides internships and cultural outlets, though some lament the limited traditional college vibe. As one Reddit user put it: 'Good academics, but don’t expect Big Ten football Saturdays.'
NJIT’s ROI is stellar: 80% graduation rate (well above peer public schools) and median starting salaries of $76,000 for undergrads—climbing to $96,767 mid-career. Over 73% of graduates secure employment quickly, often in tech and engineering roles. The strong outcomes reflect NJIT’s industry-aligned programs and Newark’s proximity to NYC job markets. Notably, earnings 10 years post-graduation average $84,000, outperforming many pricier private schools.
NJIT’s net price averages $16,736/year after aid, with 87% of students receiving some form of assistance. Grants average $13,545, and 71% get grant money (not loans). The official COA (tuition + fees + housing) is $28,929 for in-state students, but aid packages often include work-study and private scholarships. For context, NJIT’s Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. is half the national average for 4-year public universities, making it a budget-friendly option for STEM students.
NJIT is a blue-collar Ivy for STEM: affordable, unpretentious, and laser-focused on turning out employable engineers and tech professionals. Its top-10 engineering program (per Money) and $76K starting salaries defy its public-school price tag. The trade-offs? A sparse social scene and grueling workload. But for students seeking high ROI in tech-heavy fields, NJIT delivers like few others—especially with NYC’s job market just a PATH train away.