Head-to-Head Comparison
New Jersey Institute of Technology vs Washington University in St Louis
- New Jersey Wins
- 16
- Tied
- 10
- Washington St Wins
- 28
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, New Jersey Institute of Technology offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Washington University in St Louis achieves a higher graduation rate (94% vs 73%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $21,786 compared to New Jersey Institute of Technology's $16,504. Students who choose New Jersey Institute of Technology benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $84,276 at ten years.
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 $5,282 a year less
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 6.5%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Washington St
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $86,182 ten years after enrollment, 2% more than New Jersey Institute of Technology
- Higher grad rate: 94% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $17,500, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 12% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #38
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
New Jersey graduates concentrate in Computer Science & IT (33% of degrees); Washington St in Engineering (14%). 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 Washington University in St Louis over New Jersey Institute of Technology. Median earnings of $86,182 ten years after enrollment vs $84,276.
Pick New Jersey Institute of Technology over Washington University in St Louis. Net price $16,504 vs $21,786.
Pick Washington University in St Louis over New Jersey Institute of Technology. THE World Rank #38 vs #350-400.
Pick New Jersey Institute of Technology over Washington University in St Louis. 6.5% mobility rate vs 1%.
Pick Washington University in St Louis over New Jersey Institute of Technology. 94% completion rate vs 73%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
New Jersey Institute of Technology and Washington University in St Louis are close on paper, but Washington University in St Louis 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
Washington University in St Louis is the harder admit. It takes 12% of applicants, while New Jersey Institute of Technology takes 65%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,337 to 1,530.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Washington University in St Louis 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 $5,282 a year below Washington University in St Louis's $21,786. Graduates of Washington University in St Louis also borrow less: median debt of $17,500, against $21,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $21,128 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, Washington University in St Louis graduates report median earnings of $86,182, compared with $84,276 at New Jersey Institute of Technology. That is a 2% advantage. Set against borrowing, Washington University in St Louis has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.2x to 0.25x.
So what: An earnings gap of 2% 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
Washington University in St Louis graduates a larger share of its students, 94% versus 73%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 21% 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.
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 Washington University in St Louis, it is 1%. New Jersey Institute of Technology also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 10.1% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.9%.
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, Washington University in St Louis sits higher, at #38 versus #350.
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 Washington University in St Louis 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 $5,282 a year, yet Washington University in St Louis graduates earn $1,906 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Washington University in St Louis is harder to get into, with a 12% 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.
Their academic identities diverge. New Jersey Institute of Technology concentrates enrollment in Computer Science & IT, Business & Marketing, while Washington University in St Louis leans toward Biology & Biomedical, Social Sciences. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $21,000, against $17,500 at Washington University in St Louis.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $21,786 runs well above New Jersey Institute of Technology's $16,504.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Washington University in St Louis's enrollment, and New Jersey Institute of Technology is stronger here.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Washington St holds onto its admits more tightly: 48% of admitted students enroll, versus 17% at New Jersey — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Washington St 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. Test scores matter less at New Jersey, where only about 43% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
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.
Washington University in St Louis
St. Louis, MO · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 12%, Washington University in St. Louis attracts driven students looking for a rigorous academic environment. It’s a great fit for those interested in fields like engineering, biology, social sciences, computer science, and business. The graduation rate of 94% reflects a supportive community that helps students succeed and achieve their goals.
Life after graduation looks promising, with alumni reporting an average earnings of $86,182 ten years out. This figure highlights the potential for financial stability in a variety of career paths. While nearly 18% of students receive Pell Grants, the school’s commitment to affordability helps ensure that students from different economic backgrounds can thrive.
On the financial side, the net price after aid stands at $21,786, and the median debt for graduates is $17,500. This manageable debt load suggests that students here often leave school with a solid foundation for their financial futures. Those who tend to thrive are often self-motivated and eager to engage deeply with their studies and the campus community.
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 Washington St leads with Mechanical Engineering (14%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for New Jersey) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Washington St).
The two schools feed different job markets. New Jersey Institute of Technology is strongest in Computer Science & IT, while Washington University in St Louis concentrates in 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 Washington University in St Louis?
Washington University in St Louis is harder to get into, admitting 12% of applicants compared with 65% at New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Which is more affordable, New Jersey Institute of Technology or Washington University in St Louis?
New Jersey Institute of Technology is more affordable, with an average net price of $16,504 after aid versus $21,786 at Washington University in St Louis.
Do New Jersey Institute of Technology or Washington University in St Louis graduates earn more?
Washington University in St Louis graduates earn more: median earnings of $86,182 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 Washington University in St Louis?
Washington University in St Louis has the higher graduation rate, 94% versus 73%.
New Jersey Institute of Technology vs Washington University in St Louis: 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 1%.
Should you choose New Jersey Institute of Technology or Washington University in St Louis?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose New Jersey Institute of Technology if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Washington University in St Louis 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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