NJ University Named Best Place To Work In Garden State, Ranking Says

WAYNE, NJ — William Paterson University has once again been named one of New Jersey's best employers, earning a spot on Forbes' annual list for the third consecutive year.

The university was among 90 New Jersey organizations recognized on Forbes' 2026 Best-In-State Employers list, which was released Thursday, Aug. 13.

Forbes and market research firm Statista compile the annual rankings based on employee feedback about workplace culture, professional development, compensation and benefits, advancement opportunities, diversity and overall satisfaction.

“Receiving this Forbes recognition for the third consecutive year is especially meaningful because it is based on independent surveys of employees, including our dedicated faculty and staff,” William Paterson President Richard J. Helldobler said in a statement.

“All our employees share an unrelenting dedication to student success, and William Paterson is committed to empowering them in that mission by building and sustaining a strong institutional culture, where they can thrive personally and professionally,” Helldobler added.

The 2026 rankings were based on an independent survey of more than 245,000 employees across the United States who work for organizations with at least 500 employees. More than 2 million employer evaluations were considered, including assessments from employees about their own workplaces and recommendations from others working in the same industries.

William Paterson, located in Wayne, employs nearly 1,000 full-time faculty and staff members.

University officials pointed to several programs and benefits they said have helped foster employee growth and retention. More than half of positions at William Paterson are filled through internal promotions, according to the university.

Employees also have access to flexible work arrangements, including a hybrid work environment and a four-day summer workweek, as well as retirement and financial planning programs, tuition benefits for employees and their dependents, tax-advantaged savings opportunities and an annual professional development series.

The Forbes ranking follows another recent workplace honor for William Paterson. The university was named a “2025 Great College to Work For,” a distinction awarded to 76 higher education institutions nationwide.

William Paterson also holds several employee-focused events and campus traditions throughout the year, including Communiversity Day, Bring Your Child to Work Day and Wellness Day.

“We've worked intentionally to create an environment where people feel supported, challenged and empowered to grow throughout their careers,” Allison Boucher-Jarvis, the university's vice president for human resources, said in a statement.

“Our Forbes survey results, as well as other engagement surveys, have consistently demonstrated employees’ sense of belonging in the organization,” Boucher-Jarvis added. “Seeing that reflected in employee feedback year after year is incredibly rewarding.”

The complete 2026 Best-In-State Employers ranking is available on Forbes' website.