Stevens Named Among America’s Best Colleges in TIME’s Inaugural Ranking
Ranked No. 30 among 500 institutions nationwide
Stevens Institute of Technology has been named one of America’s best colleges by TIME, earning the No. 30 spot among 500 institutions nationwide in TIME’s inaugural America’s Best Colleges of 2026–2027 ranking.
The recognition places Stevens in the top 6% of colleges nationwide evaluated by TIME and data research firm Statista — and makes Stevens one of only two New Jersey institutions to rank among the nation’s top 30.
TIME’s inaugural ranking takes a data-driven look to highlight U.S. institutions that provide the best value for their students. The methodology evaluates institutions across three pillars: student outcomes, learning environment and attractiveness. Scores across each pillar are combined to determine a final ranking.
The methodology places particular emphasis on student outcomes and the value students gain from their college education relative to its cost, while also considering factors such as the instructional environment and institutional resources. Student outcomes account for 75% of the overall ranking, underscoring the importance TIME places on the results students achieve as students and graduates.
“Our responsibility as a university is to prepare students not simply for the world as it exists today, but for the world they will help create tomorrow,” said Stevens President Nariman Farvardin. “This recognition by TIME affirms the value of a Stevens education — grounded in technology, enriched by mentorship and experiential learning and focused on turning knowledge into impact.”
TIME’s recognition comes as higher education increasingly responds to a workforce transformed by technology. The publication notes that the U.S. STEM workforce grew 26% from 2013 to 2023, compared with 9% growth in the non-STEM workforce, with STEM employment projected to continue growing faster than non-STEM fields.
The TIME recognition adds to a growing list of national acknowledgments of Stevens’ value and career outcomes. The university is ranked No. 9 nationally by U.S. News & World Report among “Colleges With the Best Return on Investment,” placed in the top 20 for ROI after 40 years by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce and is among the top 30 U.S. colleges with the highest-paid graduates, according to Business Insider. In addition, Stevens was recently named to The Princeton Review’s 2027 Best Colleges list and earned 4.5 of 5 stars by Money Magazine.
