Rutgers University-New Brunswick
New Brunswick, New Jersey · Public · 58.1% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 83/100 · Strong Value
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Strong ValueQuick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $17,929/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $37,441/yr |
| Average net price | $24,406/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $97,624 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $74,479 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $48,200 |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $228 |
| Estimated payback period | 6 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 83.6% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 37,751 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $16,343 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,210 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,282 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,106 |
| $110,001+ | $35,016 |
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Rutgers University-New Brunswick with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $125,303 | B+ |
| Psychology | $56,479 | D |
| Finance and Financial Management | $100,695 | B+ |
| Biology | $68,306 | D |
| Public Health | $74,633 | C |
| Human Resources Management | $75,850 | C+ |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $83,606 | B |
| Registered Nursing | $99,155 | B+ |
| Information Science | $87,757 | B |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $71,844 | D |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Rutgers University-New Brunswick is $17,929/year ($37,441/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $24,406/year, or roughly $97,624 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $16,343/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $35,016/year.
The median graduate leaves with $21,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $228 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $74,479 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.45 - well within manageable territory.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 72.8% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 77.9% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 73.8% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 77.7% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 58.1% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 660-770 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 650-730 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 28-33 |
| Enrollment | 37,751 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 27.9% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $14,593 |
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rutgers University-New Brunswick (this school) | 83 | $24,406 | $74,479 |
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst | 83 | $22,383 | $71,631 |
| Florida International University | 81 | $9,288 | $60,249 |
| Ohio State University-Main Campus | 77 | $17,339 | $60,409 |
| Rowan University | 66 | $22,408 | $59,988 |
| Bloomfield College of Montclair State University | 50 | $28,014 | $61,415 |
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
Rutgers University-New Brunswick delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $24,406 per year ($97,624 over four years), graduates earn a median of $74,479 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 6 years - a solid return on the investment.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 83.6% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings.
Median debt of $21,500 is very manageable against $74,479 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.