Head-to-Head Comparison
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences vs Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Boston, MA
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ
- Massachusetts Pharmacy Wins
- 11
- Tied
- 8
- Rutgers University-New Wins
- 21
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Rutgers University-New Brunswick offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $24,406 vs Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's $39,545, Rutgers University-New Brunswick delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Rutgers University-New Brunswick's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
40 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Massachusetts Pharmacy
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment, 69% more than Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Rutgers University-New
- Lower cost: Average net price of $24,406, roughly $15,139 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 84% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $21,500, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 58% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Massachusetts Pharmacy graduates concentrate in Health Professions (93% of degrees); Rutgers University-New in Business & Marketing (19%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences over Rutgers University-New Brunswick. Median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment vs $74,479.
Pick Rutgers University-New Brunswick over Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Net price $24,406 vs $39,545.
Pick Rutgers University-New Brunswick over Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. 84% completion rate vs 63%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and Rutgers University-New Brunswick are close on paper, but Rutgers University-New Brunswick wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Rutgers University-New Brunswick is the harder admit. It takes 58% of applicants, while Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences takes 85%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,269 to 1,410.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Rutgers University-New Brunswick sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Rutgers University-New Brunswick comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $24,406, about $15,139 a year below Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's $39,545. Graduates of Rutgers University-New Brunswick also borrow less: median debt of $21,500, against $25,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $60,556 before any change in aid. Choosing Rutgers University-New Brunswick leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates report median earnings of $125,557, compared with $74,479 at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. That is a 69% advantage. Set against borrowing, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.2x to 0.29x.
So what: An earnings gap of 69% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Rutgers University-New Brunswick graduates a larger share of its students, 84% versus 63%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 22% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Rutgers University-New Brunswick to keep costs and debt down; pick Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Rutgers University-New Brunswick saves about $15,139 a year, yet Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates earn $51,078 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences concentrates enrollment in Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, while Rutgers University-New Brunswick leans toward Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $39,545 runs well above Rutgers University-New Brunswick's $24,406.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,000, against $21,500 at Rutgers University-New Brunswick.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's enrollment, and Rutgers University-New Brunswick is stronger here.
- Business and consulting-track students: Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has less business program depth, and Rutgers University-New Brunswick offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Rutgers University-New Brunswick's enrollment of 37,751 far exceeds Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's 3,451.
Full Data Breakdown
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Boston, MA · Private nonprofit
A full data profile for Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences — outcomes, cost, and admissions — is on its profile page.
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ · Public
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 They Appear On
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is featured on the Highest-Paying Online Bachelor's Programs ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Massachusetts Pharmacy's top program is Nursing (BSN) (93% of enrollment), while Rutgers University-New leads with Business Administration (19%).
Massachusetts Pharmacy
Rutgers University-New
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Massachusetts Pharmacy) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Rutgers University-New).
The two schools feed different job markets. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is strongest in Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, Physical Sciences, while Rutgers University-New Brunswick concentrates in Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, Engineering. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Massachusetts Pharmacy
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences or Rutgers University-New Brunswick?
Rutgers University-New Brunswick is harder to get into, admitting 58% of applicants compared with 85% at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Which is more affordable, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences or Rutgers University-New Brunswick?
Rutgers University-New Brunswick is more affordable, with an average net price of $24,406 after aid versus $39,545 at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Do Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences or Rutgers University-New Brunswick graduates earn more?
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates earn more: median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment, versus $74,479 at Rutgers University-New Brunswick.
Which has a better graduation rate, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences or Rutgers University-New Brunswick?
Rutgers University-New Brunswick has the higher graduation rate, 84% versus 63%.
Should you choose Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences or Rutgers University-New Brunswick?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Rutgers University-New Brunswick if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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