Head-to-Head Comparison
Rutgers University-New Brunswick vs Santa Clara University
- Rutgers University-New Wins
- 17
- Tied
- 14
- Santa Clara Wins
- 19
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Rutgers University-New Brunswick offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Santa Clara University achieves a higher graduation rate (88% vs 84%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $50,062 compared to Rutgers University-New Brunswick's $24,406. Students who choose Rutgers University-New Brunswick benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $74,479 at ten years.
50 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Rutgers University-New
- Lower cost: Average net price of $24,406, roughly $25,656 a year less
Santa Clara
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $109,183 ten years after enrollment, 47% more than Rutgers University-New Brunswick
- Higher grad rate: 88% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $19,162, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 48% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Rutgers University-New graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (19% of degrees); Santa Clara in Business & Marketing (27%). 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 Santa Clara University over Rutgers University-New Brunswick. Median earnings of $109,183 ten years after enrollment vs $74,479.
Pick Rutgers University-New Brunswick over Santa Clara University. Net price $24,406 vs $50,062.
Pick Santa Clara University over Rutgers University-New Brunswick. 88% completion rate vs 84%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Rutgers University-New Brunswick and Santa Clara University are close on paper, but Santa Clara University 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
Santa Clara University is the harder admit. It takes 48% of applicants, while Rutgers University-New Brunswick takes 58%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,410 to 1,426.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Santa Clara University 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 $25,656 a year below Santa Clara University's $50,062. Graduates of Santa Clara University also borrow less: median debt of $19,162, against $21,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $102,624 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, Santa Clara University graduates report median earnings of $109,183, compared with $74,479 at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. That is a 47% advantage. Set against borrowing, Santa Clara University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.18x to 0.29x.
So what: An earnings gap of 47% 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
Santa Clara University graduates a larger share of its students, 88% versus 84%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 4% 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 Santa Clara University 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 $25,656 a year, yet Santa Clara University graduates earn $34,704 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. Rutgers University-New Brunswick concentrates enrollment in Computer Science & IT, Health Professions, while Santa Clara University leans toward Engineering, Social Sciences. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Engineering-focused students: Santa Clara University has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Rutgers University-New Brunswick's enrollment of 37,751 far exceeds Santa Clara University's 6,552.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $50,062 runs well above Rutgers University-New Brunswick's $24,406.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Santa Clara University's enrollment, and Rutgers University-New Brunswick is stronger here.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Santa Clara offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Rutgers University-New 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
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
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.
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA · Private nonprofit
Santa Clara University has a graduation rate of 88%, indicating strong student success and support. This high rate suggests that students are not only enrolling but also completing their degrees in a timely manner, which is crucial for their future careers.
The earnings data for graduates is impressive. Ten years after graduation, alumni earn a median salary of $109,183. This figure highlights the potential return on investment for students considering their financial futures. However, with a net price of $50,062 and median debt at $19,162, students should weigh the cost of attendance against their anticipated earnings.
Students who thrive at Santa Clara typically pursue majors in Business & Marketing, Engineering, Social Sciences, Communications, or Psychology. The campus environment supports those who are motivated and engaged in their studies. With a moderate acceptance rate of 48%, the university attracts a diverse group of students ready to take advantage of the academic opportunities available.
Rankings They Appear On
Santa Clara University is featured on the Highest-Paying Colleges for Communications ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Business Administration as their top enrolled program field, comprising 19% of Rutgers University-New's student body and 27% of Santa Clara's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Rutgers University-New) and Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Santa Clara).
The two schools feed different job markets. Rutgers University-New Brunswick is strongest in Computer Science & IT, Health Professions, while Santa Clara University concentrates in Social Sciences, Communications. 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 Rutgers University-New Brunswick or Santa Clara University?
Santa Clara University is harder to get into, admitting 48% of applicants compared with 58% at Rutgers University-New Brunswick.
Which is more affordable, Rutgers University-New Brunswick or Santa Clara University?
Rutgers University-New Brunswick is more affordable, with an average net price of $24,406 after aid versus $50,062 at Santa Clara University.
Do Rutgers University-New Brunswick or Santa Clara University graduates earn more?
Santa Clara University graduates earn more: median earnings of $109,183 ten years after enrollment, versus $74,479 at Rutgers University-New Brunswick.
Which has a better graduation rate, Rutgers University-New Brunswick or Santa Clara University?
Santa Clara University has the higher graduation rate, 88% versus 84%.
Should you choose Rutgers University-New Brunswick or Santa Clara University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Rutgers University-New Brunswick if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Santa Clara University 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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