Rutgers University-New Brunswick vs Rowan University
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 17-point ROI advantage over Rowan University, scoring 83/100 versus 66/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Rowan University comes in at $22,408 per year (net price after aid) versus $24,406 at Rutgers University-New Brunswick - a difference of $1,998 annually, or roughly $7,992 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Rutgers University-New Brunswick graduates earn a median of $74,479 compared to $59,988 at Rowan University. The payback period is 6 years at Rutgers University-New Brunswick versus 9.2 years at Rowan University.
Graduates leave Rowan University with a median $20,500 in debt versus $21,500 at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.45 and 0.52 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Rutgers University-New Br... | Rowan University |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $17,929 | $16,574 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $37,441 | $26,932 |
| Net Price (avg) | $24,406 | $22,408 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $97,624 | $89,632 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $48,200 | $39,800 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $74,479 | $59,988 |
| Graduation Rate | 83.6% | 67.4% |
| Payback Period | 6 yr | 9.2 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,500 | $20,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $228 | $217 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.45 | 0.52 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 77.9% | 76.8% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 73.8% | 70.6% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 58.1% | 77.7% |
| Enrollment | 37,751 | 15,841 |
| SAT Range | 1310-1500 | 1110-1310 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Rutgers University-N... | Rowan University |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $16,343 | $15,305 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $16,210 | $15,264 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $18,282 | $19,245 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $25,106 | $27,580 |
| $110,001+ | $35,016 | $30,378 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Rutgers University-N... | Rowan University |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $125,303 | $86,475 |
| Electrical Engineering | $108,296 | $104,215 |
| Chemical Engineering | $100,729 | $95,769 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $100,695 | $75,697 |
| Registered Nursing | $99,155 | $97,116 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $94,561 | $90,084 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $89,850 | $84,059 |
| Accounting | $89,087 | $76,524 |
| Civil Engineering | $87,557 | $78,834 |
| Economics | $86,120 | $70,614 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $83,606 | $73,631 |
| Mathematics | $81,845 | $63,146 |
| Chemistry | $73,245 | $79,695 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | $79,510 | $67,702 |
| Human Resources Management | $75,850 | $73,035 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Rutgers University-N... | Rowan University |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 82 | 62 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 89 | 66 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 82 | 70 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 92 | 73 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 64 | 60 |
| Overall ROI Score | 83 | 66 |
The Verdict
Rutgers University-New Brunswick significantly outperforms Rowan University on financial ROI (83 vs 66). The 17-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Rowan University offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors Rutgers University-New Brunswick.
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Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Rowan University
Fair 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.