New Jersey Institute of Technology

The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is a public research university located in Newark, New Jersey, United States, with an additional campus in Jersey City. It was founded in 1881 and opened its doors in 1885 as Newark Technical School with just 88 students. Today, NJIT has grown into a large and diverse community, enrolling around 12,332 students from 92 different countries as of fall 2022, with many living on its main campus in Newark's University Heights district.

NJIT offers a wide range of educational programs, including 51 undergraduate majors and 71 graduate programs. Through its Honors College, the university also provides special professional programs in Healthcare and Law, working together with nearby institutions such as Rutgers Medical School and Seton Hall Law School. Students can also take classes at Rutgers University-Newark, which is right next door.

As a leading research university, NJIT is known for its strong focus on science and technology. It belongs to important research groups like the Sea grant and Space grant consortia and is recognized for its high level of research activity. The university also operates special research facilities around the world, including the Big Bear Solar Observatory in California, home to the Goode Solar Telescope, and observatories in places like Antarctica and South America.

History

The New Jersey Institute of Technology began in the 1800s. In 1881, New Jersey decided it needed a technical school and held a contest. The city that offered the most money could host the school. Newark worked hard to raise money and won the contest.

Newark Technical School opened in 1885 with 88 students. Over the years, the school grew. It changed its name to Newark College of Engineering in 1930. In 1973, it added a school of architecture and became a full university. In 1975, it changed its name to New Jersey Institute of Technology.

The school kept growing. It built new buildings, added new subjects to study, and welcomed students from all over the world. Today, it is a big university with many students and teachers working together.

Academics

New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is known for its strong academic programs. In recent years, it has been recognized for offering good value and helping students succeed. For example, in 2025, U.S. News ranked NJIT tied for 80th among national universities. In 2024, the Princeton Review placed it 23rd among the best public colleges that give students great value for their money.

NJIT has also been praised for helping students move up in income levels after graduation. In 2018, Forbes ranked NJIT first in the country for upward mobility, meaning it helps students from lower-income families reach higher earning levels. The university continues to be valued for its contributions to research and public service.

Colleges and schools

The New Jersey Institute of Technology has five colleges and one school, with 21 departments in total. Three of these departments—Biological Sciences, History, and Theater Arts—are shared with Rutgers-Newark, which is located next door.

The university is very diverse, with students from many different countries and backgrounds. It also offers many chances to study in other countries, as well as opportunities to work with companies and serve the community.

Newark College of Engineering (NCE)

Established in 1919, Newark College of Engineering is one of the oldest and largest engineering schools in the United States. It offers 13 programs for students starting their studies, 16 programs for those continuing, and 10 advanced programs. Over 2,500 students are studying there, with more than 1,100 working on advanced degrees. Many famous engineers and scholars teach there, and many engineers in New Jersey graduated from this college.

Jordan Hu College of Science and Liberal Arts (JHCSLA)

The College of Science and Liberal Arts began in 1982. It started as the Third College before getting its current name. It grew over time and helped create two other colleges at NJIT. Today, it has six main areas of study and also includes special programs and research centers.

J. Robert and Barbara A. Hillier College of Architecture and Design (HCAD)

This college includes the School of Architecture and the School of Art and Design. Students can earn degrees in architecture, digital design, industrial design, and interior design, as well as advanced degrees. HCAD is the only college at NJIT with its own special library, which has many books, drawings, and other materials for students.

The college also offers a special summer program for high school students.

Albert Dorman Honors College (ADHC)

Ying Wu College of Computing Sciences (YWCC)

The Computer Science department is the largest at NJIT, with over one-fifth of all students. It offers many different programs, including computer science, telecommunication, bioinformatics, and computing and business. In 2019, the college opened a new location in Jersey City to help people working in financial technology in the Wall Street area.

Martin Tuchman School of Management (MTSM)

Started in 1988, this school offers programs in finance, accounting, marketing, management information systems, international business, technological entrepreneurship, and corporate communications. Students can earn different levels of degrees, including a four-year Bachelor’s program, a Master’s program, and two types of MBA programs. The school also has special programs to help local entrepreneurs and businesses.

Research

NJIT spends a lot of money on research and development. In 2017, it spent $142 million, and in 2018, it spent $162 million. The university focuses on areas like applied mathematics, materials science, biomedical engineering, cybersecurity, and solar-terrestrial physics. NJIT also has a business incubator called VentureLink and the New Jersey Innovation Institute to help new businesses grow.

The university does research in nanotechnology, solar-terrestrial physics, polymer science, and smart gun technology. It has many research centers, including the National Center for Transportation and Industrial Productivity and SmartCampus. NJIT also has a research center called the Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research, which owns the Big Bear Solar Observatory in California.

In the past, NJIT had a research center called the Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center, which developed the first e-learning platform called the "Virtual Classroom." The university also has special cleanrooms for research, including work on safety against harmful activities. It has a powerful computer system for research in the Mathematics Department and does important work in cybersecurity.

Libraries and archives supporting research

NJIT has a main library called The Robert W. Van Houten Library, which has quiet study areas and many computers for students. There is also a special library for architecture and design in Weston Hall, with many books, models, and images. The university also keeps historical items from Edward Weston, one of its founding members, in the Van Houten Library for scholars to study.

Residence life

Most students at NJIT travel to campus instead of living there. However, about 2,500 students live in campus housing.

There are six buildings where students can live on campus. Redwood Hall was the first, built in 1978, followed by Cypress, Oak, and Laurel. Cypress and Redwood are mainly for first-year students, while Laurel and Oak are for older students. The fifth building, John Martinson Residence Hall, opened in 2013 and houses special college students and some groups. The sixth building, Maple Hall, opened in 2022 and can hold 500 students.

There is also a housing building very close to campus called University Centre, which opened in 2007. It is run by American Campus Communities and is near NJIT's Guttenberg Information Technologies Center. Students from NJIT, Rutgers–Newark, Rutgers Medical School, and Seton Hall University can live there. Many students also live in nearby areas such as Harrison, Kearny, Fairmount, and East Orange.

Student newspaper

The Vector is a weekly student newspaper made by students at NJIT. It started in 1924 and comes out both online and in print. Many students read it, and it has won several awards for its work.

Athletics

Main article: NJIT Highlanders

NJIT has many sports teams that compete at high levels. They have 19 teams that compete in NCAA Division I, and one team that competes in ACHA Division II. There are also two club sports teams. The teams are called the Highlanders, and their colors are red, white, and blue. Most of the teams play in the America East Conference, but some teams play in different groups.

In 2014, NJIT’s basketball team surprised everyone by beating a very good team from Michigan.

In 2017, NJIT opened a big new building called the Wellness and Events Center. It has a large space for basketball and volleyball games that can also be used for other events. In 2019, they also opened a new field for soccer and lacrosse.

Notable faculty and alumni

Since it began in 1881, NJIT has helped nearly 80,000 students graduate and start important careers. Some famous alumni and teachers include Judea Pearl, who won a Turing Award in 2011, and Wally Schirra, who studied there before moving on to the USNA.

By 2025, 27 teachers at NJIT were recognized by the National Academy of Inventors. Students have also won many awards, such as 7 Fulbright scholarships and 23 Goldwater Scholarships.