At $19,407/yr net price, Rutgers University-Newark 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) | $19,407 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $77,628 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $74,479/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$40,479/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 67.6% |
| 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 | $14,840/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,252/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,388/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,608/yr |
| $110,001+ | $32,589/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $110,432 | $67,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $109,327 | $50,681 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $71,778 | $20,904 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Bachelor | $70,596 | $17,547 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $68,079 | $36,224 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Bachelor | $65,486 | $19,582 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences. | Master | $64,791 | $41,000 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $64,087 | $15,334 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $60,001 | $20,620 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $58,382 | $21,500 |
The Risk Factor
67.6% of students at Rutgers University-Newark graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 32% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Rutgers University-Newark gives you a solid financial return for a public university. You pay under $20,000 a year net, carry a median debt of $21,500, and earn about $74,479 ten years out. That gap between what you borrow and what you make is the kind of math that works in your favor, and the 84% retention rate means most people who start actually stay.
The best-paying majors here cluster in tech and health. Computer and Information Sciences leads, and Management Information Systems adds a second software path. Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science stands out for a different reason: you leave with debt around $15,000, roughly $6,000 less than the campus median, so more of that paycheck stays yours. Finance sits at the bottom of the top-five list and pairs its lower pay with the highest debt of the group, making it the weaker bet among these five.
The clearest financial risk is the income cliff in the net price tiers. If your family earns over $110,000, you pay more than double what a family under $30,000 pays. That jump hits hardest between the $48-75k and $75-110k brackets, where the price leaps by about $8,000. Middle-income families get the worst deal relative to the discount lower-income families receive.
This school fits you if you come from a lower-income household and aim for computing or health sciences, where the low net price and strong earnings compound. It fits you less well if your family earns six figures and you plan to study something outside the tech and health tracks listed here, since you pay full freight for a return that isn't guaranteed. Run your specific major against your family's price tier before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rutgers University-Newark worth the cost for the salary you'll earn?
With a net price of $19,407 per year and median earnings of $74,479 after 10 years, Rutgers-Newark offers decent value compared to many private schools. The relatively low debt load of $21,500 makes the financial risk manageable for most graduates.
Which programs at Rutgers University-Newark have the best return on investment?
Nursing programs lead with median earnings of $110,432, followed by business administration at $109,327. Computer science graduates earn $71,778, which is solid but not exceptional for tech fields.
What are the risks of attending Rutgers University-Newark financially?
The main risk is the 67% graduation rate, meaning one-third of students don't finish their degree but may still carry debt. However, the median debt of $21,500 is lower than the national average, reducing long-term financial burden.
How does Rutgers University-Newark compare to other schools for value?
As a public university with a relatively low net price, Rutgers-Newark provides better value than most private institutions. The 10-year earnings of $74,479 are reasonable for the cost, though not outstanding compared to top-tier schools.