Cost & ROI · 2026
Is Rutgers University-Newark worth it?
Pay $19,703/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $74,479 ten years out — about 3.8× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: B.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
Rutgers University-Newark vs New Jersey avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical New Jersey college and the typical US college.
| Metric | Rutgers University-Newark | New Jersey avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▼ $19,703 | $17,812 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▲ $74,479 | $55,389 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▼ $21,500 | $18,125 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 63.8% | 48.8% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▼ 71.4% | 74.4% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $142,616 over four years. Most students get $15,951/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $21,500 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 29% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median Rutgers University-Newark grad earns about $1,179,160 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about Rutgers University-Newark
The average student at Rutgers University-Newark pays $19,703 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $35,654 published sticker price. That is above the NJ average net price of $17,812.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $74,479 — above the NJ median of $55,389. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $21,500, roughly $233 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a manageable load at about 29% of one year's median earnings.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper New Jersey colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of Rutgers University-Newark.
Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at Rutgers University-Newark?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $19,703 per year. That's $15,951/yr in financial aid against the $35,654 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $78,812.
How much do Rutgers University-Newark graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, Rutgers University-Newark graduates earn a median of $74,479 per year — above the national average of $50,834. That's about 3.8× the annual net cost.
How much debt do Rutgers University-Newark graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $21,500 — about $233/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 31.8% of students take federal loans.
Is Rutgers University-Newark worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns Rutgers University-Newark a value grade of B — top 32% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $19,703/yr, earn $74,479/yr ten years out, ROI score of 9.45. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at Rutgers University-Newark?
58.8% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 31.8% take federal student loans. On average, students get $15,951 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at Rutgers University-Newark?
In-state tuition is $17,250 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $36,762 per year — a difference of $19,512/yr or $78,048 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at Rutgers University-Newark?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $16,420. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $33,018. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →