Rutgers University-New Brunswick admits approximately 65.3% of applicants, meaning roughly 2 in 3 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places Rutgers in the moderately selective category, making it more accessible than highly competitive institutions while maintaining academic standards above open-access universities. The peer median admission rate of 78.1% shows that Rutgers is notably more selective than typical four-year institutions, admitting 12.7 percentage points fewer applicants than comparable schools. This selectivity level means qualified students have reasonable prospects for admission, though strong academic preparation remains important for competitive consideration. Students should view Rutgers as a target school if their academic credentials align with admitted student profiles, rather than a safety or reach option. The moderately selective admissions process allows Rutgers to maintain quality while serving a diverse student population, including significant shares of Pell-eligible, first-generation, and transfer students. For students building comprehensive college lists, Rutgers represents an excellent middle-ground option between highly competitive research universities and more accessible state institutions. Applicants should prepare strong applications emphasizing academic achievement, but can approach the process with reasonable confidence if their qualifications match admitted student ranges.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at Rutgers typically score between 1270-1480 on the SAT, with a median of 1383, placing most enrolled students well above national averages. The middle 50% range shows that 25% of students score below 1270 while 25% score above 1480, indicating meaningful variation in academic preparation among successful applicants. SAT Math scores range from 640-760, while SAT Verbal scores span 630-720, demonstrating balanced expectations across both sections. ACT scores range from 28-33 with a median of 30, providing an alternative pathway for students who perform better on that assessment. Compared to peer institutions with a median SAT of 1198, Rutgers students score 185 points higher, indicating significantly stronger academic preparation than typical four-year college students. These test score ranges place Rutgers among institutions with exceptional academic profiles, ranking at the 98.0th percentile nationally for both SAT and ACT performance. Students scoring within the middle 50% ranges should feel academically competitive for admission consideration. Those scoring below the 25th percentile should not view themselves as automatically excluded but should expect to compete at a disadvantage unless other application components provide compelling strengths. Students should consider whether their academic profile aligns with these ranges when building their college list, particularly given that test scores represent just one component of holistic admissions evaluation.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Rutgers enrolls a diverse student body that includes 27.2% Pell-eligible students, indicating significant representation of students from lower-income families, and 34.6% first-generation college students. These percentages demonstrate that despite moderately selective admissions, Rutgers successfully enrolls students from varied socioeconomic backgrounds alongside those from more privileged circumstances. The university also admits 21.9% transfer students, showing meaningful pathways for students beginning their higher education journey at community colleges or other institutions. This student composition reflects institutional priorities that balance academic preparation with access for underrepresented populations. Geographic diversity likely reflects Rutgers' status as New Jersey's flagship public research university, drawing students primarily from in-state but also attracting qualified applicants from neighboring states. The combination of strong academic credentials and diverse backgrounds creates a learning environment where students from different life experiences contribute to campus community. First-generation students should know that more than one-third of enrolled students share their background, providing peer support and institutional understanding of their unique needs. Students from lower-income families should consider the 27.2% Pell share when assessing cultural and social fit. Transfer applicants should note the substantial 21.9% transfer enrollment, indicating established support systems and pathways for students joining the university from other institutions.
While Rutgers admits about 65% of applicants, students seeking alternatives should consider schools offering similar career outcomes with different admissions profiles or cost structures.
Schools with comparable admission profiles — useful for building a balanced list.
Students who gain admission to Rutgers demonstrate strong persistence and completion outcomes, with 92.6% of freshmen returning for sophomore year compared to a peer median of 83.7%. This 8.9 percentage point advantage in retention indicates effective first-year support systems and student satisfaction with their educational experience. The six-year graduation rate of 85.0% significantly exceeds the peer median of 65.9% by 19.1 percentage points, demonstrating the university's effectiveness in supporting students through degree completion. Particularly noteworthy is the Pell completion rate of 71.8%, which creates a 13.2 percentage point gap compared to the overall completion rate. While this gap indicates some challenges for lower-income students, the absolute Pell completion rate remains well above national averages for similar institutions. The gap suggests that while Rutgers provides strong support systems, additional challenges may affect lower-income students' degree completion. Students who gain admission can expect robust institutional support for academic success, evidenced by retention and completion rates well above peer institutions. Lower-income students should weigh the Pell completion gap when considering this institution but should also note that nearly three-quarters of Pell students do complete their degrees. Prospective students should view these high retention and completion rates as indicators of the supportive academic environment and student services they'll experience, while understanding that individual success depends on engagement with available resources and academic preparation.
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