Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 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, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University comes out ahead: 89/100 to 83/100, a 6-point edge over Rutgers University-New Brunswick. 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, Rutgers University-New Brunswick runs $24,406 a year against $24,953 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University - $547 more a year, or about $2,188 across four years.
Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University graduates earn a median $81,698 against $74,479 at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. The cost earns itself back in 5.1 years at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and 6 years at Rutgers University-New Brunswick.
Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave Rutgers University-New Brunswick owing a median $21,500 versus $21,500 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.43 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 | 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 the clearly stronger ROI here (89 vs 83) - graduates earn more for what they paid, and the return is somewhat better. That said, if Rutgers University-New Brunswick is the stronger school for your intended major, that can outweigh the gap 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.