Rutgers University-New Brunswick vs University of Massachusetts-Amherst
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 and University of Massachusetts-Amherst are closely matched on financial return. Rutgers University-New Brunswick scores 83/100 while University of Massachusetts-Amherst scores 83/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, University of Massachusetts-Amherst comes in at $22,383 per year (net price after aid) versus $24,406 at Rutgers University-New Brunswick - a difference of $2,023 annually, or roughly $8,092 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Rutgers University-New Brunswick graduates earn a median of $74,479 compared to $71,631 at University of Massachusetts-Amherst. The payback period is 6 years at Rutgers University-New Brunswick versus 6.3 years at University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
Graduates leave Rutgers University-New Brunswick with a median $21,500 in debt versus $22,763 at University of Massachusetts-Amherst. 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... | University of Massachuset... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $17,929 | $17,772 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $37,441 | $40,449 |
| Net Price (avg) | $24,406 | $22,383 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $97,624 | $89,532 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $48,200 | $44,200 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $74,479 | $71,631 |
| Graduation Rate | 83.6% | 83.3% |
| Payback Period | 6 yr | 6.3 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,500 | $22,763 |
| Monthly Payment | $228 | $241 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.45 | 0.52 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 77.9% | 83.5% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 73.8% | 78.7% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 58.1% | 59.7% |
| Enrollment | 37,751 | 23,671 |
| SAT Range | 1310-1500 | 1310-1500 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Rutgers University-N... | University of Massac... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $16,343 | $10,164 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $16,210 | $10,456 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $18,282 | $12,932 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $25,106 | $18,964 |
| $110,001+ | $35,016 | $30,793 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Rutgers University-N... | University of Massac... |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Engineering | $108,296 | $101,091 |
| Chemical Engineering | $100,729 | $97,990 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $100,695 | $96,995 |
| Accounting | $89,087 | $100,516 |
| Registered Nursing | $99,155 | $90,309 |
| Industrial Engineering | $94,382 | $97,791 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $94,561 | $96,999 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $83,606 | $92,623 |
| Civil Engineering | $87,557 | $88,076 |
| Marketing | $74,813 | $86,299 |
| Economics | $86,120 | $80,434 |
| Mathematics | $81,845 | $83,338 |
| Food Science and Technology | $80,979 | $77,771 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | $79,510 | $77,853 |
| Chemistry | $73,245 | $78,373 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Rutgers University-N... | University of Massac... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 82 | 83 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 89 | 88 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 82 | 70 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 92 | 92 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 64 | 81 |
| Overall ROI Score | 83 | 83 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. Rutgers University-New Brunswick edges out University of Massachusetts-Amherst by 0 points (83 vs 83), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
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.