Rutgers University-New Brunswick
New Brunswick, New Jersey · Public · 58.1% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 83/100 · Strong Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
Rutgers University - New Brunswick is New Jersey's flagship public research university, enrolling 37,751 students in New Brunswick, and earning an overall ROI score of 83 - Strong Value. In-state tuition of $17,929 makes the sticker cost competitive, and need-based aid brings the average net price to $24,406 - below sticker for most income bands except the highest. The institution delivers strong fundamentals: an 84% graduation rate, a 6-year payback period, average six-year earnings of $48,200 growing to a median $74,479 at ten years, and an earnings premium sub-score of 82. The 28% Pell Grant rate reflects a moderately diverse income distribution, and the three-year repayment rate is 78%. Computer and Information Sciences graduates earn $125,303 at four years and Management Sciences graduates reach $126,906. Engineering programs across electrical, mechanical, chemical, and industrial disciplines produce first-year earnings above $67,000 with B+ ROI grades. The finance and accounting programs also perform strongly. The weaker end of the spectrum - linguistics, fine arts, nutrition sciences, cell biology, genetics, and kinesiology - all carry F or D grades primarily due to low early-career wages relative to debt.
Rutgers University-New Brunswick scores in the top 11% of the schools we score, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Quick 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 |
| Average 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).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $17,929/year ($37,441/year out-of-state), which covers tuition and fees only. The net price counts books, supplies, and average living costs on top of tuition and fees, then subtracts grants and scholarships. For the average student here it comes to $24,406/year, or roughly $97,624 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $16,343/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $35,016/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $21,500, which works out to about $228 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($48,200) and comes to 0.45, which in our view is comfortably manageable.
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 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Low-income students (families under $30,000) pay approximately $16,343 annually at net price - roughly $65,000 over four years. Against average six-year earnings of $48,200 and a six-year payback period, the financial case is strong. Students who enter STEM or business programs will exit the payback period well within a decade.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income students ($30,001 - $75,000) pay between $16,210 and $18,282 annually - a tight, favorable band reflecting Rutgers's strong need-based aid concentration for working- and middle-class New Jersey families. The payback period and earnings trajectory are compelling across most programs at this price.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Higher-income families ($75,001 and above) pay $25,106 - $35,016 annually. Out-of-state students paying $37,441 in tuition should model their specific program outcomes against the higher total cost - engineering, computer science, finance, and nursing graduates will recover the investment quickly, while arts, humanities, and social science graduates face longer payback horizons.
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.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer and Information Sciences
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.267 is excellent. With 684 graduates, this program has statistically robust data. New Jersey and New York metro technology sector demand for Rutgers CS graduates is exceptional, and the program's scale ensures deep employer engagement.
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
Management Sciences earns a B+ grade with four-year median earnings of $126,906 - the highest among the school's reported programs - and first-year earnings of $78,177. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.275 is very favorable. With 303 graduates, this is a high-confidence data point. The program's quantitative focus and proximity to the New York finance and consulting job market drives exceptional placement into high-wage analytical roles.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing earns a B+ grade with four-year median earnings of $99,155 and first-year earnings of $87,594 - reflecting immediate high-wage placement consistent with New Jersey's competitive nursing market. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.320 is well-controlled. The program has 333 graduates. Rutgers nursing graduates benefit from proximity to New York - New Jersey's dense hospital and health system infrastructure.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering earns a B+ grade with four-year median earnings of $108,296 and first-year earnings of $82,598. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.287 reflects well-calibrated borrowing. With 289 graduates, the cohort is statistically robust. New Jersey's telecommunications, defense, and pharmaceutical engineering sectors create strong demand for Rutgers EE graduates. This program is among the institution's clearest return-on-investment signals.
Finance and Financial Management
Finance earns a B+ grade with four-year median earnings of $100,695 and first-year earnings of $68,338. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.329 is favorable. With 468 graduates, this is one of Rutgers's highest-volume programs. The Rutgers Business School's proximity to New York City financial markets supports strong placement into investment banking, corporate finance, and financial services. The four-year earnings figure well exceeds the $97,624 estimated four-year total cost.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 72.8% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 77.9% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 73.8% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 77.7% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How Rutgers University-New Brunswick’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
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 |
Rutgers admits 58% of applicants, with SAT ranges of 650 - 730 reading and 660 - 770 math, and ACT of 28 - 33. The university is moderately selective and uses a holistic process. Strong performance in rigorous coursework, particularly in STEM subjects, is advantageous for students targeting competitive programs. New Jersey residents benefit from substantial in-state tuition advantages. Early application (by November 1) is recommended for merit scholarship consideration.
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 |
Head-to-Head ROI Comparisons
See Rutgers University-New Brunswick side by side with similar schools on ROI, cost, earnings, and debt.
Who Thrives Here
Rutgers - New Brunswick fits students who can access in-state tuition seeking a large research university experience within the New York - New Jersey metropolitan corridor. The strongest outcomes attach to STEM, quantitative business, and health professional programs. Students entering humanities, social sciences, or pre-health science tracks should model the program-specific outcomes data carefully, as the range between top and bottom performers is very wide. Out-of-state students paying the $37,441 sticker rate should perform a separate cost-benefit analysis given the higher price point.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
For most students, Rutgers University-New Brunswick pays off. You'd pay about $24,406 a year after aid ($97,624 over four years), and the typical graduate earns $74,479 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback - the time it takes for the earnings bump to cover what you spent - at roughly 6 years, a solid return.
What it has going for it: a strong earnings premium over high school graduates, its 83.6% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings.
Median debt of $21,500 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $48,200 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45, under the 1.0 point at which debt would equal a full year of those earnings. Your major matters a lot here: graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
Rutgers University-New Brunswick: Common Questions
Is Rutgers University-New Brunswick worth it?
In our view, yes - for most students Rutgers University-New Brunswick pays off. It scores 83/100 on our ROI scale. You'd pay about $24,406 a year after aid ($97,624 over four years), and the typical graduate earns $74,479 ten years after enrollment, so the cost takes roughly 6 years to earn back.
How much does Rutgers University-New Brunswick cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $24,406 a year, or roughly $97,624 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do Rutgers University-New Brunswick graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $74,479 ten years after enrolling, roughly $32,679 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off Rutgers University-New Brunswick?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 6 years for Rutgers University-New Brunswick. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do Rutgers University-New Brunswick graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $21,500, against average earnings of $48,200 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45. In our view that is reasonable, though your major matters: higher-earning fields will see the better end of it.
What is the graduation rate at Rutgers University-New Brunswick?
The six-year graduation rate is 83.6%, at or above the 64% national average for four-year schools (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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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.