Want a Post-Grad Job? Go to State School

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It’s not just Ivy Leaguers who are in high demand after college.

According to a study conducted by the Wall Street Journal, the largest public and private companies prefer to recruit at large state schools rather than smaller, more prestigious universities. Top choices included Penn State, Texas A&M and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Only one Ivy League School, Cornell, made recruiters’ most-wanted list.

Many companies reported that they look for practical skills like engineering and business analysis rather than “soft” ones like critical thinking and communication. And for these real-world skills, recruiters skip more liberal arts-minded institutions.

Turns out state schools may provide the most bang for your buck for students and employers alike.