Rutgers University-New Brunswick
- Graduation Rate
- 84% A
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $74,479 A
- Top 6% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $24,406 D
- 42% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 58% B
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A B overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 19.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $19.5 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $19.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,803,198.
What The Data Says
-
A B overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
-
Graduates earn 83% more than the national college median.
-
A 84% graduation rate — 48% above the national average.
-
Every $1 invested returns $19.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Rutgers University-New Brunswick Matters
Rutgers University-New Brunswick is a public research university in New Brunswick, NJ and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 6% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 37,751
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, Engineering, Health Professions
Why students choose Rutgers University-New Brunswick
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 58% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1310–1500. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $24,406 a year after grants and scholarships — 42% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $74,479 ten years after enrolling — 83% above the typical college, against $21,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.76 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of over 37,000 students, Rutgers University-New Brunswick is a great fit for those who thrive in a vibrant, diverse environment. The school stands out for its strong programs in Business and Marketing, Computer Science, Engineering, Health Professions, and Biology. If you're looking to dive into a field with solid job prospects and a supportive academic community, this could be your place.
When we look at what happens after graduation, the numbers tell a promising story. Graduates earn an average of $74,479 within a decade of finishing their degrees. That’s a solid return on investment, especially when you consider the affordability of Rutgers. The net price after financial aid is $24,406, which is reasonable given the earning potential. This environment supports students not just in their studies, but in launching successful careers.
Now, let’s talk about the practical side of things. With a median debt of $21,500, students often leave with manageable loans, especially if they utilize financial aid options. The blend of affordability and strong career outcomes suggests that students who put in the effort here tend to thrive, especially those who are driven and engaged. If you're ready to take on challenges and make the most of your education, Rutgers can be a great stepping stone to your future.
Rankings
- #12 Best Communications Colleges in New Jersey
- #15 Best Computer Science Colleges in New Jersey
- #15 Best Data Science Colleges in New Jersey
- #16 Best MBA Programs in New Jersey
- #19 Best Bachelor's Programs in New Jersey
- #19 Best Master's Programs in New Jersey
- #19 Best Psychology Colleges in New Jersey
- #20 Best Biology Colleges in New Jersey
Can I Get In?
How selective Rutgers University-New Brunswick 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 Rutgers University-New Brunswick? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Rutgers University-New Brunswick, located in New Brunswick, New Jersey, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 58% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,410. The graduation rate is roughly 84%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 58%
- Retention Rate
- 93%
- SAT Average
- 1410
- ACT Midpoint
- 30
- SAT Range
- 1310–1500
- ACT Range
- 28–33
- Full-Time Faculty
- 53%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $14,593
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.76
- First-Gen Students
- 35%
- Applicants
- 41,654
- Admitted
- 27,612
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 Rutgers University-New Brunswick? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Rutgers University-New Brunswick is $37,441, 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 $24,406. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,343 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $17,929
- Out-of-State
- $37,441
- Avg Net Price
- $24,406
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 28%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 35%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $16,343
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $16,210
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $18,282
- Family Income $110K+
- $35,016
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Rutgers University-New Brunswick Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Rutgers University-New Brunswick earn a median of $74,479, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $61,263
- 8 Years
- $67,665
- 10 Years
- $74,479
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.29x
- Earning > $25K
- 76%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (4,132)
- 67%
- 100% (4,132)
- 67%
- 100% (4,132)
- 67%
- 100% (4,132)
- 67%
How Rutgers Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Rutgers University-New Brunswick Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Rutgers University-New Brunswick delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $24,406/year ($97,624 total). Graduates earn $74,479 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,900,822 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,803,198 (19.5× your investment). The median debt is $21,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 84% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $97,624
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,900,822
- Net Return
- $1,803,198
- ROI Multiple
- 19.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $24,406
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 84%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-62,431,000
Top Programs
The fields Rutgers University-New Brunswick awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 21%
- Computer Science & IT 13%
- Engineering 10%
- Health Professions 9%
- Biology & Biomedical 9%
- Psychology 7%
- Social Sciences 6%
- Communications 5%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Rutgers University-New Brunswick'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 Rutgers University-New Brunswick? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Rutgers University-New Brunswick, located in New Brunswick, New Jersey, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 58% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,410. The graduation rate is roughly 84%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Rutgers University-New Brunswick? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Rutgers University-New Brunswick is $37,441, 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 $24,406. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,343 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
Is Rutgers University-New Brunswick Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Rutgers University-New Brunswick earn a median of $74,479, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
How Connected Is Rutgers University-New Brunswick? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. Its economic connectedness score is 1.76, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
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Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Rutgers University-New Brunswick.
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg, VA · Close peer86% grad $81,698 earn 55% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of ConnecticutStorrs, CT · Close peer84% grad $73,997 earn 52% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst, MA · Close peer83% grad $71,631 earn 60% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station, TX · Close peer84% grad $72,097 earn 57% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, WI · Close peer89% grad $73,792 earn 45% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusUniversity Park, PA · Close peer86% grad $63,435 earn 61% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Rutgers University-New Brunswick? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. Its economic connectedness score is 1.76, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note