Seton Hall University Earns Top Princeton Review Ranking, Giving Students and Families Another Reason to Study in New Jersey
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. — Students and families considering New Jersey for college have another reason to take a closer look at the Garden State. Seton Hall University has been ranked No. 1 in the nation for Best Student Support and Counseling Services by The Princeton Review, highlighting the university's commitment to supporting students throughout their college experience.
The recognition appears in The Princeton Review's Best 391 Colleges: 2026 Editionand places the South Orange university at the top of a category that can be especially important for students moving away from home for college.
For prospective students and families considering relocating to New Jersey for higher education, the ranking provides another measure to consider beyond academics, tuition, financial aid and campus amenities.
Student Support Takes on Greater Importance in the College Search
Choosing a college is about more than finding the right degree program.
Students must also adjust to new academic expectations, relationships, responsibilities and, in many cases, living away from home for the first time. Students relocating from another state may face the additional challenge of establishing a new support network while adapting to an unfamiliar community.
Access to counseling and student-support resources can therefore play an important role in the overall college experience.
The Princeton Review's Best Student Support and Counseling Services ranking is based on student assessments of the counseling services available at their colleges. Seton Hall's No. 1 position reflects particularly positive feedback from its students.
The Princeton Review's broader college rankings draw on surveys of students attending colleges and universities across the country, providing prospective students with a student-centered perspective on academics, campus life and other aspects of the college experience.
What Student Support Services Does Seton Hall Offer?
Seton Hall provides a range of resources designed to support students' academic, personal and emotional well-being.
Through Counseling and Psychological Services, commonly known as CAPS, students can access services that include initial assessments, brief individual therapy, group therapy, crisis and emergency assistance, psychiatric consultation, case management, referrals, workshops and self-help resources.
The university also provides additional services and programs addressing different aspects of student life and wellness, including Disability Support Services, Health Services, Residence Life and resources available through the Dean of Students Office.
Peer-based initiatives provide another layer of support. Programs and organizations on campus address subjects including mental health awareness, healthy relationships and creating a supportive campus environment.
For families evaluating colleges, these resources can be particularly relevant when considering how a university helps students navigate challenges outside the classroom.
Seton Hall Receives Additional National Recognition
Seton Hall's No. 1 ranking for student support and counseling was not its only recognition in The Princeton Review's 2026 rankings.
The university also received high rankings in several categories, including:
- No. 1 — Best College Radio Station
- No. 14 — Most Active Student Government
- No. 14 — Students Love Their School Teams
- No. 15 — Lots of Race/Class Interaction
Seton Hall was also selected for inclusion among The Princeton Review's Best 391 Colleges.
Together, the rankings offer prospective students a broader picture of campus life beyond traditional measures such as admissions statistics and academic programs.
Why Seton Hall Could Appeal to Students Moving to New Jersey
Seton Hall's location may provide another advantage for students considering studying in New Jersey.
The private university is located in South Orange in Essex County, offering a suburban campus within the New York City metropolitan area. Students can experience a traditional college community while remaining within reach of employment, internships, entertainment and cultural opportunities throughout northern New Jersey and New York City.
That combination could be especially attractive to students coming from New York, Pennsylvania and other parts of the Northeast who want access to a major metropolitan region without necessarily attending college in the center of a large city.
It may also appeal to students relocating from farther away who want to build professional connections in one of the country's largest employment markets.
What Families Should Consider When Comparing New Jersey Colleges
Seton Hall's national recognition underscores an often-overlooked part of the college selection process: determining what happens when a student needs help.
Prospective students and parents touring colleges may want to ask about counseling availability, appointment procedures, crisis services, academic assistance, disability accommodations, health services and peer-support programs.
Families should also compare academic programs, tuition and financial aid, housing costs, transportation, campus safety, internship opportunities and career services before making a final enrollment decision.
For students moving to New Jersey from another state, proximity to public transportation and major airports may also be important considerations when determining how easily they can travel home.
New Jersey Continues to Offer Diverse Higher Education Options
Seton Hall is part of a broad higher-education landscape that gives students numerous options for studying in New Jersey.
The state is home to public research universities, private universities, specialized institutions and community colleges, with campuses located everywhere from communities near New York City and Philadelphia to the Jersey Shore and more suburban and rural parts of the state.
That variety allows prospective students to compare different campus environments while considering where they might eventually want to live and work.
For families contemplating a move to New Jersey, higher education can also become part of a larger relocation decision. Access to colleges and universities may influence where families purchase homes, where students pursue internships and where graduates ultimately begin their careers.
Another Reason to Study in New Jersey
Seton Hall University's No. 1 Princeton Review ranking for Best Student Support and Counseling Services gives prospective students another reason to include New Jersey in their college search.
Academic reputation and affordability will remain major considerations when choosing a college, but the availability and quality of student-support resources can also have a meaningful impact on a student's experience.
For students preparing to leave home—and for parents wondering what support will be available after they do—Seton Hall's national recognition could make the South Orange university particularly worthy of consideration.
For students and families exploring higher education opportunities, New Jersey offers access to colleges and universities, career opportunities and communities throughout one of the Northeast's most connected regions.