Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 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
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 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, Rutgers University-New Brunswick comes in at $24,406 per year (net price after aid) versus $24,953 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University - a difference of $547 annually, or roughly $2,188 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University graduates earn a median of $81,698 compared to $74,479 at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. The payback period is 5.1 years at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University versus 6 years at Rutgers University-New Brunswick.
Graduates leave Rutgers University-New Brunswick with a median $21,500 in debt versus $21,500 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.43 and 0.45 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Virginia Polytechnic Inst... | Rutgers University-New Br... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $15,948 | $17,929 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $37,764 | $37,441 |
| Net Price (avg) | $24,953 | $24,406 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $99,812 | $97,624 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $50,400 | $48,200 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $81,698 | $74,479 |
| Graduation Rate | 86.2% | 83.6% |
| Payback Period | 5.1 yr | 6 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,500 | $21,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $228 | $228 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.43 | 0.45 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 85.9% | 77.9% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 83.5% | 73.8% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 54.8% | 58.1% |
| Enrollment | 30,923 | 37,751 |
| SAT Range | 1280-1450 | 1310-1500 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Virginia Polytechnic... | Rutgers University-N... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $11,689 | $16,343 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $11,670 | $16,210 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $17,894 | $18,282 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $25,835 | $25,106 |
| $110,001+ | $34,201 | $35,016 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Virginia Polytechnic... | Rutgers University-N... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $144,103 | $125,303 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $108,726 | $126,906 |
| Industrial Engineering | $116,641 | $94,382 |
| Electrical Engineering | $104,839 | $108,296 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $106,633 | $94,598 |
| Chemical Engineering | $106,011 | $100,729 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $102,902 | $100,695 |
| Accounting | $99,528 | $89,087 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $96,376 | $94,561 |
| Statistics | $94,300 | $80,721 |
| Physics | $92,746 | $67,544 |
| Economics | $92,653 | $86,120 |
| Agricultural Engineering | $88,315 | $64,486 |
| Civil Engineering | $88,142 | $87,557 |
| Marketing | $86,338 | $74,813 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Virginia Polytechnic... | Rutgers University-N... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 88 | 82 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 93 | 89 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 84 | 82 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 94 | 92 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 88 | 64 |
| Overall ROI Score | 89 | 83 |
The Verdict
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 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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Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
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.