Texas A&M University-College Station 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
Texas A&M University-College Station holds a 6-point ROI advantage over Rutgers University-New Brunswick, scoring 89/100 versus 83/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Texas A&M University-College Station comes in at $21,315 per year (net price after aid) versus $24,406 at Rutgers University-New Brunswick - a difference of $3,091 annually, or roughly $12,364 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Rutgers University-New Brunswick graduates earn a median of $74,479 compared to $72,097 at Texas A&M University-College Station. The payback period is 6.1 years at Texas A&M University-College Station versus 6 years at Rutgers University-New Brunswick.
Graduates leave Texas A&M University-College Station with a median $17,804 in debt versus $21,500 at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.33 and 0.45 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Texas A&M University-Coll... | Rutgers University-New Br... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $13,154 | $17,929 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $40,124 | $37,441 |
| Net Price (avg) | $21,315 | $24,406 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $85,260 | $97,624 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $53,600 | $48,200 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $72,097 | $74,479 |
| Graduation Rate | 83.9% | 83.6% |
| Payback Period | 6.1 yr | 6 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $17,804 | $21,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $189 | $228 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.33 | 0.45 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 88.5% | 77.9% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 85.2% | 73.8% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 57.4% | 58.1% |
| Enrollment | 59,615 | 37,751 |
| SAT Range | 1150-1400 | 1310-1500 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Texas A&M University... | Rutgers University-N... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $12,784 | $16,343 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $13,317 | $16,210 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $17,435 | $18,282 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $26,520 | $25,106 |
| $110,001+ | $30,660 | $35,016 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Texas A&M University... | Rutgers University-N... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $129,401 | $125,303 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $112,319 | $100,695 |
| Chemical Engineering | $111,073 | $100,729 |
| Electrical Engineering | $103,789 | $108,296 |
| Accounting | $103,662 | $89,087 |
| Information Science | $100,166 | $87,757 |
| Registered Nursing | $81,026 | $99,155 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $97,903 | $94,561 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $97,227 | $94,598 |
| Industrial Engineering | $95,918 | $94,382 |
| Management Information Systems | $94,724 | $89,098 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $93,305 | $89,850 |
| Physics | $92,826 | $67,544 |
| Civil Engineering | $92,433 | $87,557 |
| Economics | $81,562 | $86,120 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Texas A&M University... | Rutgers University-N... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 85 | 82 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 89 | 89 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 92 | 82 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 92 | 92 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 93 | 64 |
| Overall ROI Score | 89 | 83 |
The Verdict
Texas A&M University-College Station has a meaningfully higher ROI score (89 vs 83). Graduates earn more relative to cost, and the financial return is somewhat stronger. That said, if Rutgers University-New Brunswick offers a significantly better program in your intended major, it could still be the better financial choice for you specifically.
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Texas A&M University-College Station
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.