N.J. college tops list of #8220most underrated#8221 in America

Everyone loves a good underdog story: Rocky, Rudy and even the Karate Kid. To this end, Business Insider has provided the public service of compiling a list of the country’s 50 most underrated colleges.And one of New Jersey’s very own institutions has claimed the No. 1 spot.

By comparing US News & World Report’s college rankings with PayScale’s 2013-2014 college salary report, Business Insider found NJIT to be the most underrated college in the country.

In a written statement, NJIT President Joel Bloom told NJBIZ the college’s inclusion was an appreciated recognition of the work it does in preparing its students for the workforce.

“NJIT’s ranking as one of the most ‘underrated colleges’ recognizes that the average salary of $98,000 (PayScale College Salary Report) our graduates earn after 10 years in the workplace is an exceptionally positive adjunct to our U.S. News & World Report ranking,” he said. “It speaks highly of the knowledge and skills our graduates gain in the course of studying science, technology, engineering, mathematics, design and management.”

Bloom also touched on some of the programs he perceives as having a positive impact on the success NJIT alumni find after graduation and the demand for qualified workers in STEM fields.

“To further prepare for career success, we encourage our students to take advantage of our internship and co-op programs, get involved in national competitions in their fields of study and work with our outstanding faculty on research projects,” he said. “Moreover, the PayScale ranking affirms that the demand for our students far exceeds the number of applicants needed to fill well-paying jobs.”

NJIT wasn’t alone: Several other New Jersey colleges made it to the “most underrated” list, including Rutgers (No. 19), Stevens Institute of Technology (No. 22), and Seton Hall (No. 26).

Visit Business Insider for the complete list.

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