Rutgers University-Newark
- Graduation Rate
- 66% C+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $74,479 A
- Top 6% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $19,703 C-
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 71% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 24.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $24.1 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $24.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,822,010.
What The Data Says
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A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduates earn 83% more than the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $24.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Rutgers University-Newark Matters
Rutgers University-Newark is a public research university in Newark, NJ and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base 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
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 7,709
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, Criminal Justice
Why students choose Rutgers University-Newark
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 71% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $19,703 a year after grants and scholarships — 15% 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 1.47 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With around 7,700 students, Rutgers University-Newark stands out as a welcoming environment for those pursuing degrees in practical fields like Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, Criminal Justice, and Computer Science & IT. The 71% acceptance rate indicates that a variety of students can find a place here, especially those looking for a diverse campus that emphasizes real-world application of their studies. This school is particularly well-suited for individuals who value a community-oriented atmosphere while also seeking strong academic programs.
When looking at life after graduation, graduates from Rutgers University-Newark can expect to earn an average of $74,479 within a decade of completing their degree. This figure suggests that many students move into stable, well-paying jobs after graduation. The affordability of the education here is also notable, with a net price of $19,703 after aid, making it accessible for a broad range of students, including the 59% who receive Pell Grants.
In terms of finances, the median debt load upon graduation is $21,500, which is manageable considering the potential earnings. Students who tend to thrive here often come from diverse backgrounds and value a supportive community. They appreciate the practical skills they gain, which help them navigate their career paths effectively. Overall, Rutgers University-Newark seems to be a great fit for those looking to balance affordability with strong career outcomes.
Rankings
- #15 Best Biology Colleges in New Jersey
- #15 Best MBA Programs in New Jersey
- #18 Best Business Colleges in New Jersey
- #19 Highest-Paying Colleges for Criminal Justice
- #20 Best Bachelor's Programs in New Jersey
- #20 Best Master's Programs in New Jersey
- #20 Best Psychology Colleges in New Jersey
- #20 Best MBA Programs for Leadership
Can I Get In?
How selective Rutgers University-Newark 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-Newark? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Newark, New Jersey, Rutgers University-Newark admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 71%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 25. The graduation rate is roughly 66%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 71%
- Retention Rate
- 84%
- ACT Midpoint
- 25
- Full-Time Faculty
- 59%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $16,467
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.76
- First-Gen Students
- 35%
- Applicants
- 14,935
- Admitted
- 11,043
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-Newark? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Rutgers University-Newark is $36,762, 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 $19,703. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,420 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $17,250
- Out-of-State
- $36,762
- Avg Net Price
- $19,703
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 59%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 32%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $16,420
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $16,338
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $17,806
- Family Income $110K+
- $33,018
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 Rutgers University-Newark — 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 Rutgers University-Newark Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Rutgers University-Newark 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% (345)
- 34%
- 100% (345)
- 34%
- 100% (345)
- 34%
- 100% (345)
- 34%
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-Newark Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Rutgers University-Newark delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $19,703/year ($78,812 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 $1,822,010 (24.1× your investment). The median debt is $21,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 66% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $78,812
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,900,822
- Net Return
- $1,822,010
- ROI Multiple
- 24.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $19,703
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 66%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-8,574,000
Top Programs
The fields Rutgers University-Newark 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 40% $77,810 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 13% $26,738 early-career
- Psychology 12% $37,207 early-career
- Criminal Justice 8% $39,121 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 6% $85,286 early-career
- Social Sciences 5% $56,027 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 3% $37,831 early-career
- English & Literature 1% $31,829 early-career
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 Rutgers University-Newark'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+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Rutgers University-Newark? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Newark, New Jersey, Rutgers University-Newark admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 71%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 25. The graduation rate is roughly 66%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Rutgers University-Newark? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Rutgers University-Newark is $36,762, 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 $19,703. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,420 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
Is Rutgers University-Newark Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Rutgers University-Newark earn a median of $74,479, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
How Connected Is Rutgers University-Newark? 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-Newark. Its economic connectedness score is 1.47, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.08). Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Rutgers University-Newark.
- University of Maryland-Baltimore CountyBaltimore, MD · Close peer70% grad $69,960 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Rutgers University-CamdenCamden, NJ · Close peer67% grad $74,479 earn 66% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Pace UniversityNew York, NY · Close peer61% grad $70,378 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Saint Louis UniversitySaint Louis, MO · Close peer80% grad $70,783 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of Alabama in HuntsvilleHuntsville, AL · Close peer63% grad $61,767 earn 69% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- New Jersey Institute of TechnologyNewark, NJ · Close peer73% grad $84,276 earn 65% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Rutgers University-Newark? 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-Newark. Its economic connectedness score is 1.47, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.08). Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note