Ohio State University-Main Campus vs Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
Rutgers University-New Brunswick holds a 6-point ROI advantage over Ohio State University-Main Campus, scoring 83/100 versus 77/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Ohio State University-Main Campus comes in at $17,339 per year (net price after aid) versus $24,406 at Rutgers University-New Brunswick - a difference of $7,067 annually, or roughly $28,268 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Rutgers University-New Brunswick graduates earn a median of $74,479 compared to $60,409 at Ohio State University-Main Campus. The payback period is 8.2 years at Ohio State University-Main Campus versus 6 years at Rutgers University-New Brunswick.
Graduates leave Ohio State University-Main Campus with a median $19,976 in debt versus $21,500 at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.48 and 0.45 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Ohio State University-Mai... | Rutgers University-New Br... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $13,244 | $17,929 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $40,022 | $37,441 |
| Net Price (avg) | $17,339 | $24,406 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $69,356 | $97,624 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $41,500 | $48,200 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $60,409 | $74,479 |
| Graduation Rate | 87.7% | 83.6% |
| Payback Period | 8.2 yr | 6 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $19,976 | $21,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $212 | $228 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.48 | 0.45 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 74.7% | 77.9% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 68.0% | 73.8% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 60.6% | 58.1% |
| Enrollment | 45,638 | 37,751 |
| SAT Range | 1310-1480 | 1310-1500 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Ohio State Universit... | Rutgers University-N... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $4,885 | $16,343 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $5,751 | $16,210 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $9,807 | $18,282 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $20,461 | $25,106 |
| $110,001+ | $27,359 | $35,016 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Ohio State Universit... | Rutgers University-N... |
|---|---|---|
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $111,500 | $126,906 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $118,833 | $125,303 |
| Management Information Systems | $110,192 | $89,098 |
| Electrical Engineering | $99,400 | $108,296 |
| Industrial Engineering | $106,932 | $94,382 |
| Chemical Engineering | $98,851 | $100,729 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $97,986 | $100,695 |
| Registered Nursing | $81,795 | $99,155 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $96,418 | $94,561 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $92,999 | $94,598 |
| Physics | $94,543 | $67,544 |
| Accounting | $90,850 | $89,087 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $90,065 | $89,850 |
| Civil Engineering | $85,202 | $87,557 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment | $68,942 | $87,399 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Ohio State Universit... | Rutgers University-N... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 78 | 82 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 74 | 89 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 77 | 82 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 95 | 92 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 54 | 64 |
| Overall ROI Score | 77 | 83 |
The Verdict
Rutgers University-New Brunswick has a meaningfully higher ROI score (83 vs 77). Graduates earn more relative to cost, and the financial return is somewhat stronger. That said, if Ohio State University-Main Campus offers a significantly better program in your intended major, it could still be the better financial choice for you specifically.
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Ohio State University-Main Campus
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.