Rutgers University-Newark
Rutgers University-Newark — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Rutgers University-Newark at a Glance
Rutgers University–Newark is one of three regional campuses of Rutgers University, a public land-grant research university consisting of four campuses in New Jersey. It is located in Newark. Rutgers, founded in 1766 in New Brunswick, is the eighth oldest college in the United States and a member of the Association of American Universities. In 1945, the state legislature voted to make Rutgers University, then a private liberal arts college, into the state university and the following year merged …
1766
260 years old
$1.2B
$1.22 billion (2016, system-wide)
8,517
359 undergrad · 8,158 grad
585
13:1 student:faculty
38 acres
5 residence halls
44+
Identity
How to Apply to Rutgers University-Newark
Official admissions pageFebruary 1
December 1 (Early Action)
Fee waiver
Is Rutgers University-Newark Worth It?
Rutgers University-Newark delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $19,703/year, it's priced 3% below average, while graduates go on to earn $74,479 — 38% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 66% graduation rate means roughly 34% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Rutgers University-Newark compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in NJ
Ranked #13 of 29 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | CUNY York College | 100 | $4,456 | $56,945 |
| #3 | New Jersey Institute of Technology | 93 | $16,504 | $84,276 |
| #4 | Farmingdale State College | 88 | $10,867 | $69,781 |
| #5 | Missouri University of Science and Technology | 81 | $16,298 | $82,957 |
| #6 | University of Maryland-Baltimore County | 75 | $16,467 | $69,960 |
| #13 | Rutgers University-Newark | 62 | $19,703 | $74,479 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Rutgers University-Newark's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in NJ.
Best Programs at Rutgers University-Newark
The highest-earning program at Rutgers University-Newark is Computer and Information Sciences, General at $70,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies at $21,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer and Information Sciences, General graduate from Rutgers University-Newark earns $70,300, while a Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies graduate earns $21,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates carry $21,250 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $19,703/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $70,300 | $70,300 | $21,250 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $67,900 | $67,900 | $12,500 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $63,400 | $63,400 | $23,619 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $62,100 | $62,100 | $13,108 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $59,400 | $59,400 | $23,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $57,100 | $57,100 | $21,803 |
| Mathematics | $55,300 | $55,300 | $23,382 |
| Information Science/Studies | $54,800 | $54,800 | $25,185 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $51,300 | $51,300 | $21,500 |
| Economics | $47,000 | $47,000 | $24,099 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $45,000 | $45,000 | $19,369 |
| Marketing | $43,200 | $43,200 | $21,500 |
| Chemistry | $41,100 | $41,100 | $21,500 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $36,600 | $36,600 | $21,500 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $35,000 | $35,000 | $24,140 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $33,300 | $33,300 | $23,250 |
| Sociology | $32,300 | $32,300 | $23,750 |
| Political Science and Government | $31,800 | $31,800 | $23,829 |
| Social Work | $31,700 | $31,700 | $23,611 |
| Music | $31,300 | $31,300 | $26,959 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $29,300 | $29,300 | $25,456 |
| History | $29,300 | $29,300 | $22,488 |
| Journalism | $29,200 | $29,200 | $24,774 |
| Psychology, General | $27,900 | $27,900 | $24,439 |
| Philosophy | $25,900 | $25,900 | $22,750 |
| Biology, General | $25,800 | $25,800 | $24,380 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $25,400 | $25,400 | $25,088 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $23,900 | $23,900 | $25,000 |
| Anthropology | $23,400 | $23,400 | $21,000 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $21,500 | $21,500 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in NJ
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Newark, NJ
- Student Body
- 7,709 students
- Admission Rate
- 71%
- Graduation Rate
- 66%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $19,703
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $74,479
- Median Student Debt
- $21,500