Head-to-Head Comparison
New Jersey Institute of Technology vs University of San Francisco
- New Jersey Wins
- 30
- Tied
- 10
- San Francisco Wins
- 14
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, New Jersey Institute of Technology offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $16,504 vs University of San Francisco's $41,431, New Jersey Institute of Technology delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, New Jersey Institute of Technology's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
New Jersey
- Lower cost: Average net price of $16,504, roughly $24,927 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 73% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $21,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 6.5%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #350-400
San Francisco
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $89,812 ten years after enrollment, 7% more than New Jersey Institute of Technology
- More selective: Admits 62% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
New Jersey graduates concentrate in Computer Science & IT (33% of degrees); San Francisco in Business & Marketing (18%). 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 University of San Francisco over New Jersey Institute of Technology. Median earnings of $89,812 ten years after enrollment vs $84,276.
Pick New Jersey Institute of Technology over University of San Francisco. Net price $16,504 vs $41,431.
Pick New Jersey Institute of Technology over University of San Francisco. THE World Rank #350-400 vs #401-500.
Pick New Jersey Institute of Technology over University of San Francisco. 6.5% mobility rate vs 2.7%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
New Jersey Institute of Technology and University of San Francisco are close on paper, but New Jersey Institute of Technology 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
University of San Francisco is the harder admit. It takes 62% of applicants, while New Jersey Institute of Technology takes 65%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,337 to 1,295.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, University of San Francisco 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, New Jersey Institute of Technology comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $16,504, about $24,927 a year below University of San Francisco's $41,431. Graduates of New Jersey Institute of Technology also borrow less: median debt of $21,000, against $23,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $99,708 before any change in aid. Choosing New Jersey Institute of Technology leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, University of San Francisco graduates report median earnings of $89,812, compared with $84,276 at New Jersey Institute of Technology. That is a 7% advantage. Set against borrowing, New Jersey Institute of Technology has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.25x to 0.26x.
So what: An earnings gap of 7% 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.
Moving people up
New Jersey Institute of Technology does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 6.5%; at University of San Francisco, it is 2.7%. New Jersey Institute of Technology also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 10.1% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 5.9%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, New Jersey Institute of Technology offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Research standing
In the Times Higher Education world table, New Jersey Institute of Technology sits higher, at #350 versus #401.
So what: Research rank matters most for students headed to graduate school or hoping to work in faculty labs. For undergraduates going straight into the job market, it is a weak predictor of earnings.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick New Jersey Institute of Technology to keep costs and debt down; pick University of San Francisco for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. New Jersey Institute of Technology saves about $24,927 a year, yet University of San Francisco graduates earn $5,536 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
University of San Francisco is harder to get into, with a 62% admit rate, but New Jersey Institute of Technology posts the higher mobility rate, at 6.5%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Research prestige does not track graduate pay in this pairing. New Jersey Institute of Technology ranks higher globally (#350-400 vs #401-500), but University of San Francisco alumni out-earn theirs ten years after enrollment. For undergraduates outside research careers, the rank is the weaker guide.
Their academic identities diverge. New Jersey Institute of Technology concentrates enrollment in Computer Science & IT, Engineering, while University of San Francisco leans toward Health Professions, Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Business and consulting-track students: New Jersey Institute of Technology has less business program depth, and University of San Francisco offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: New Jersey Institute of Technology's enrollment of 9,019 far exceeds University of San Francisco's 5,287.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $41,431 runs well above New Jersey Institute of Technology's $16,504.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of University of San Francisco's enrollment, and New Jersey Institute of Technology is stronger here.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
New Jersey holds onto its admits more tightly: 17% of admitted students enroll, versus 6% at San Francisco — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. San Francisco offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; New Jersey does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Newark, NJ · Public
With nearly 9,020 students, New Jersey Institute of Technology is a great fit for those pursuing careers in fields like engineering, computer science, business, and the arts. The 65% acceptance rate means there's a decent chance of getting in, especially for students who are dedicated to their studies and have a solid application. What stands out here is the strong emphasis on practical skills and real-world applications, making it a solid option for anyone looking to dive straight into a career after graduation.
When it comes to life after graduation, the numbers tell a promising story. Graduates can expect to earn around $84,276 within ten years of completing their degree. This level of earning potential is significant, especially when you consider how affordable this school is compared to others. With a median debt of $21,000, students graduate with a manageable financial load, allowing many to move up in their careers without being bogged down by excessive loans.
In terms of the practical bottom line, the net price after aid is about $16,504, which is reasonable for a public institution. This affordability, combined with the strong earning potential, means that students who tend to thrive here are typically those committed to their fields and eager to apply their learning in practical settings. With a diverse range of programs and a supportive environment, NJIT is well-suited for students ready to take the next step in their educational journey.
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA · Private nonprofit
Students at the University of San Francisco can expect to earn an average of $89,812 within ten years of graduation. This strong earning potential reflects the university's focus on practical skills and career readiness. With an acceptance rate of 62%, the university maintains a balance of accessibility and selectivity.
The Chetty/Opportunity Insights data is not available for this institution, but the outcomes for graduates suggest a solid return on investment. The graduation rate stands at 71%, indicating that a significant majority of students complete their degrees. This completion rate, combined with the potential earnings, points to a pathway for upward mobility.
Tuition at the University of San Francisco has a net price of $41,431, which is a notable consideration for prospective students. Graduates carry a median debt of $23,000, which is relatively manageable compared to national averages. Students who thrive here often pursue programs in Business, Health Professions, and Social Sciences, aligning their education with market demand and job opportunities.
Rankings They Appear On
New Jersey Institute of Technology is featured on the Best Online Colleges in New Jersey ranking.
Top Degree Programs
New Jersey's top program is Computer Science (33% of enrollment), while San Francisco leads with Business Administration (18%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for New Jersey) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for San Francisco).
The two schools feed different job markets. New Jersey Institute of Technology is strongest in Computer Science & IT, Engineering, Biology & Biomedical, while University of San Francisco concentrates in Health Professions, Psychology, Social Sciences. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into New Jersey Institute of Technology or University of San Francisco?
University of San Francisco is harder to get into, admitting 62% of applicants compared with 65% at New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Which is more affordable, New Jersey Institute of Technology or University of San Francisco?
New Jersey Institute of Technology is more affordable, with an average net price of $16,504 after aid versus $41,431 at University of San Francisco.
Do New Jersey Institute of Technology or University of San Francisco graduates earn more?
University of San Francisco graduates earn more: median earnings of $89,812 ten years after enrollment, versus $84,276 at New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Which has a better graduation rate, New Jersey Institute of Technology or University of San Francisco?
New Jersey Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, 73% versus 71%.
New Jersey Institute of Technology vs University of San Francisco: which is better for social mobility?
New Jersey Institute of Technology is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 6.5% versus 2.7%.
Should you choose New Jersey Institute of Technology or University of San Francisco?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose New Jersey Institute of Technology if affordability and lower debt come first; choose University of San Francisco 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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