Stevens Institute of Technology: School of Business welcomes largest and most diverse class in school history
As one of the fastest growing schools in the United States, the School of Business at Stevens Institute of Technology welcomed its largest incoming class in the school’s history, with 201 new students enrolling in the school this fall.
This first-year class is also one of the most diverse, with 40% percent of students being women. Fifty-seven students are also athletes across multiple sports teams.
First-year students at a Stevens welcome event
Tanya Avadia ’26, a business and technology major, chose Stevens because of the high number of job placement rates, starting salaries, and paid internships.
School of Business Dean Gregory Prastacos credits the strong interest in the business programs to the top faculty, up-to-date curriculum, excellent student placements, and unique location of the university. “The size and diversity of our incoming class show that students and families recognize the value of an education at the School of Business,” he said. “We are excited to welcome these new students to our campus, and we are committed to educating and inspiring the leaders of today’s technology-centric world.”
The School of Business continues to see growth in its most popular undergraduate programs: business and technology and quantitative finance. Tanya Avadia ’26, a business and technology major, chose to attend Stevens because of the unique programs and resources that would set her apart from her peers in her career. Referring to the recent undergraduates’ average starting salary of $78,000, she said, “The reason why I chose Stevens, and specifically the School of Business, is because of their ROI–the high job placement rates, high starting salaries, high number of paid internships.” She was also pleased to learn that Stevens graduates experience one of the lowest gender gap in pay.
Avadia continued, “I also like how the Stevens School of Business doesn’t just focus on teaching in a traditional manner and, instead, opts to ensure that students are ready for the real world. I really like how they offer a program that integrates Business and Technology, which are my two passions. This major set Stevens apart from other schools. What I hope to gain as a School of Business student is real world experience that I could apply to my job in the future and be able to network with professionals in the industry I hope to work in.”
Akbar Pathan
Akbar Pathan decided to come to Stevens because it offers a quantitative finance major that many other universities don’t.
Akbar Pathan, a first-year student from central New Jersey, was initially interested in majoring in computer science, but decided to come to Stevens after learning about the quantitative finance major, which is offered only as a graduate program in most other universities. “To me, Stevens is more than ‘the school with the view,'” said Pathan. “I see the value in my education. Quantitative Finance, a major not taught at the undergraduate level by the outstanding majority of universities in America, is taught at Stevens, and it’s taught well. Whether it’s the incredible return on investment, opportunities, or culture, Stevens has it for me,” he said.
Dr. George Calhoun, who teaches the introductory QF101 class, knows first-hand that quantitative finance is a unique major for undergraduates. He helped shape the program by talking to executives from 25 companies in the finance industry, asking them, “What do you need?” He found that Python, Excel, C++, data analysis and AI were skills in high demand, and incorporated those classes into the quantitative finance curriculum.
Kevin Pfundstein ’26, an accounting and analytics major, said his college search ended when he found Stevens. “The curriculum is unique because it has been updated to match the needs of the modern business world. I felt the focus on technology skills, data visualization and analysis tools will prepare me for the business world of today and tomorrow,” Pfundstein said. “The traditional accounting programs offered at most colleges fail to give the technology-focused education that is offered here at Stevens. I was also intrigued by the unique opportunity to minor in quantitative finance, which is a perfect fit for my interests.”
Pfundstein said he has always been passionate about economics and mathematics, and he felt Stevens could help advance his career. “Stevens’ business curriculum allows me to turn my interests into marketable skills. As an added bonus my dorm view provides me with an inspiring view of the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline,” he said. “The City of Hoboken and the close proximity to New York City provides a campus life that is never boring.”
Recently, the School of Business was recognized as a top-15 business school for economic return by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce.
“The School of Business has always attracted top students who are bright and motivated,” said Joelle Saad-Lessler, Associate Dean of Undergraduates at the School of Business. “Our program educates students in the business disciplines while developing their technical, analytical, communication and leadership skills. I can’t wait to witness the successes of this new cohort as they take on college and then the world!”
“The School of Business continues to advance the university’s commitment to providing a technological, cross-disciplinary approach to education that creates incredible opportunities for our students,” said Stevens President Nariman Farvardin. “Many of our business school graduates go on to long, successful careers in top-tier companies, re-confirming the value of a Stevens degree.”