NJ Colleges Ranking — Is It Vital?

Alright folks, a question that's been bugging me for a while: how much weight should be given to college rankings within New Jersey? Is it fundamental in deciding where to apply? Open to hearing experiences and opinions!

College rankings can be a useful tool to get an overall sense of a school and its strengths, but they're far from the only aspect you should consider. In fact, some may say it should not be the driving force behind your college choices. The way colleges are ranked often depends on things like average SAT/ACT scores, acceptance rates, and sometimes even alumni giving rates—factors that don't necessarily reflect the features that might make a college the right (or wrong) fit for you.

You may want to consider other factors when choosing where to apply. For example, do you want to attend a big school or a small one? Are you interested in a specific major, and does the school you're considering have a strong program in that field? How about the campus culture—do you prefer a competitive, laid-back, or collaborative environment? And don't forget about financial considerations. What does the college's financial aid look like and is it sustainable for you and your family?

While looking at rankings can be a good starting point, take the time to dig deeper. Many students find it helpful to use resources like virtual college visits, talking to current students or alumni, and college planning platforms like CollegeVine. These can give you more detailed information about a given school and help you determine whether that institution is a good fit for you.

To give an example, say you’re interested in engineering and two schools in NJ that you're looking at are Princeton University (ranked amongst the top in the nation) and New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT, ranked a bit lower). While Princeton does indeed have a great engineering program, NJIT also has a reputable engineering department that may in fact offer more specialized courses in the exact area of engineering that you're interested in. In this case, base your decision on program specifics rather than relying solely on the ranking order.

In the end, college rankings offer valuable information, but they don't tell the whole story, especially when it comes down to what you need from your college experience. Remember to do your own research and assessments as well.