Ohio State University-Main Campus vs Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Torn between these two? Here's how they stack up on what actually matters - what you'll pay, what graduates earn, and which one gives you the better return - all on U.S. Department of Education data.
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
On the numbers, Rutgers University-New Brunswick comes out ahead: 83/100 to 77/100, a 6-point edge over Ohio State University-Main Campus. That gap comes from real differences in what each one costs, what its graduates earn, and the debt they leave with.
Start with what you'd actually pay. After aid, Ohio State University-Main Campus runs $17,339 a year against $24,406 at Rutgers University-New Brunswick - $7,067 more a year, or about $28,268 across four years.
Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, Rutgers University-New Brunswick graduates earn a median $74,479 against $60,409 at Ohio State University-Main Campus. The cost earns itself back in 8.2 years at Ohio State University-Main Campus and 6 years at Rutgers University-New Brunswick.
Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave Ohio State University-Main Campus owing a median $19,976 versus $21,500 at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.48 and 0.45 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.
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 the clearly stronger ROI here (83 vs 77) - graduates earn more for what they paid, and the return is somewhat better. That said, if Ohio State University-Main Campus is the stronger school for your intended major, that can outweigh the gap 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.