At $23,519/yr net price, Rutgers University-New Brunswick graduates earn $74,479/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $40,479/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $23,519 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $94,076 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $74,479/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$40,479/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 85.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,885/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,532/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,578/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,020/yr |
| $110,001+ | $33,460/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences. | Certificate | $248,619 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $112,970 | $30,750 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $110,432 | $67,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $109,327 | $50,681 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $106,421 | $119,080 |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $103,237 | $53,893 |
| Dentistry. | Doctoral | $82,931 | $254,122 |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Master | $78,343 | |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $77,119 | $86,783 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $74,063 | $23,000 |
The Risk Factor
85.0% of students at Rutgers University-New Brunswick graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Rutgers-New Brunswick gives you a solid financial return. You carry a median debt of $21,500 against median earnings of $74,479 ten years out, so your debt load is well under a single year's pay. The 85% graduation rate and 92.6% retention rate mean you are likely to finish, which is the single biggest factor in whether college pays off at all.
The strongest bets are the STEM and health tracks. Electrical engineering, computer science, and nursing all clear $71,000 with debt in the low $20,000s. Allied health is the best debt-to-pay ratio on the list at $70,596 in earnings against just $17,547 in debt. Management sciences comes in lowest of the top five at $67,995, still a fair return for a New Jersey job market anchored by pharma, finance, and tech corridors near New York and Philadelphia.
The main risk is major choice. The listed payoffs are all technical or clinical. If you enroll and drift into a field outside these areas, your earnings could land well below the $74,479 median while your costs stay the same. The other risk is income-tier pricing.
Net price scales hard with family income. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $15,500 a year. Cross $75,000 and your price jumps to $24,020. above $110,000 it hits $33,460, more than double the low tier. Lower-income families get the best deal here relative to the outcomes.
This school fits you if you plan to study engineering, computing, or nursing, and it fits you especially well if your family income is under $48,000. If your income is above $110,000 and you plan a lower-earning major, run the full four-year cost before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rutgers University-New Brunswick worth the cost?
With a net price of $23,519 and graduates earning $74,479 after 10 years, Rutgers-New Brunswick offers solid value for a state university. The median debt of $21,500 is manageable relative to earning potential, though returns vary significantly by major.
What are the highest paying majors at Rutgers University-New Brunswick?
Dental programs lead with graduates earning $248,619, while nursing majors earn around $110,000-113,000 annually. Business and allied health programs also perform well with graduates earning over $100,000.
How much debt do Rutgers University-New Brunswick graduates have?
The median debt is $21,500, which is below the national average for four-year degrees. This debt level is generally manageable given the school's graduate earning potential of $74,479.
Does Rutgers University-New Brunswick have good job prospects after graduation?
The 85% graduation rate and $74,479 median earnings suggest decent job market outcomes. However, career prospects depend heavily on your chosen field, with healthcare and business programs showing the strongest earning potential.