Rider University
#5 Best Business Colleges in New Jersey- Graduation Rate
- 62% C+
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $62,208 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $24,792 D
- 45% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 79% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 16.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $16.0 over 20 years. Ranked #5 in Best Business Colleges in New Jersey.
Every $1 spent returns $16.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,483,022.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduates earn 53% more than the national college median.
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Social mobility rate of 2.19% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $16.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Rider University Matters
Rider University is a private university in Lawrenceville, NJ and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 3,106
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts, Psychology, Education
Why students choose Rider University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 79% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1100–1320. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $24,792 a year after grants and scholarships — 45% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $62,208 ten years after enrolling — 53% above the typical college, against $26,130 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.2% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 23% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.80 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 79%, Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ, is a welcoming choice for students looking for a supportive academic environment. The school attracts those interested in fields like Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts, Education, Psychology, and Computer Science & IT. This diverse range of programs means students can find their passion while preparing for various career paths.
Looking at life after graduation, graduates from Rider earn a median income of $62,208 within ten years of completing their degree. That’s a significant figure that highlights the potential return on investment. For many students, affordability is key, and Rider’s net price after aid sits at $24,792, making it relatively accessible for those who qualify for financial assistance. With 35% of students receiving Pell Grants, there’s a commitment to helping those from lower-income backgrounds succeed.
When we consider the financial side of attending Rider, it's important to note that the median debt for graduates is $26,130. While this is a manageable amount for many, it’s crucial for prospective students to weigh it against their potential earnings. Students who thrive here often appreciate a close-knit community and a balance between academic rigor and personal support, making Rider a great choice for those seeking both a quality education and a friendly atmosphere.
Rankings
- #5 Best Business Colleges in New Jersey
- #9 Best Communications Colleges in New Jersey
- #10 Best Education Colleges in New Jersey
- #12 Best MBA Programs in New Jersey
- #13 Best Psychology Colleges in New Jersey
- #15 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in New Jersey
- #16 Best Computer Science Colleges in New Jersey
- #16 Best Data Science Colleges in New Jersey
Can I Get In?
How selective Rider University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Rider University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, Rider University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 79%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,227. The graduation rate is roughly 62%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 79%
- Retention Rate
- 78%
- SAT Average
- 1227
- ACT Midpoint
- 30
- SAT Range
- 1100–1320
- ACT Range
- 27–31
- Full-Time Faculty
- 46%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,615
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.67
- First-Gen Students
- 29%
- Applicants
- 9,340
- Admitted
- 7,858
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Rider University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Rider University is $41,120, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $24,792. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,824 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,130 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $41,120
- Out-of-State
- $41,120
- Avg Net Price
- $24,792
- Median Debt
- $26,130
- Pell Grant Rate
- 35%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 58%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $15,824
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $18,090
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $22,119
- Family Income $110K+
- $31,574
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Rider University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Rider University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Rider University earn a median of $62,208, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $51,289
- 8 Years
- $57,671
- 10 Years
- $62,208
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.42x
- Earning > $25K
- 73%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (574)
- 57%
- 100% (574)
- 57%
- 100% (574)
- 57%
- 100% (574)
- 57%
How Rider Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Rider University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Rider University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $24,792/year ($99,168 total). Graduates earn $62,208 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,582,190 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,483,022 (16.0× your investment). The median debt is $26,130, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 62% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $99,168
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,582,190
- Net Return
- $1,483,022
- ROI Multiple
- 16.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $24,792
- Median Debt
- $26,130
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 62%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Rider University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Rider University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.19%, among the highest in the country. About 5.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 37.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $102,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.19%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 37.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 5.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $138,718
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-6,215,000
Top Programs
The fields Rider University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 31% $70,299 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 14% $33,550 early-career
- Psychology 10% $43,697 early-career
- Education 7% $58,060 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 7% $56,154 early-career
- Criminal Justice 6% $31,312 early-career
- Communications 5% $45,495 early-career
- Health Professions 4%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Rider University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Rider University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, Rider University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 79%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,227. The graduation rate is roughly 62%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Rider University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Rider University is $41,120, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $24,792. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,824 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,130 in federal student loans.
Is Rider University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Rider University earn a median of $62,208, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Rider University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Rider University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.19%, among the highest in the country. About 5.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 37.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $102,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Rider University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Rider University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.80, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Rider University.
- Stevenson UniversityOwings Mills, MD · Close peer67% grad $62,079 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Elmhurst UniversityElmhurst, IL · Close peer68% grad $61,462 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- York College of PennsylvaniaYork, PA · Close peer62% grad $61,012 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- St. Joseph's University-New YorkBrooklyn, NY · Close peer67% grad $63,905 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Robert Morris UniversityMoon Township, PA · Close peer66% grad $62,105 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Saint Edward's UniversityAustin, TX · Close peer63% grad $58,826 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Rider University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Rider University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.80, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note