Rutgers University-Newark combines open-access admissions with exceptional economic mobility outcomes. As a Mobility Engine institution, the university produces $23,672 in earnings beyond expectations while serving 55.7% Pell-eligible students, demonstrating that accessibility and strong outcomes can coexist effectively.
With top-tier performance, driven by strong earnings relative to educational investment
Around the national average, reflecting moderate costs and debt levels
With top-tier performance, reflecting exceptional ability to convert educational access into earnings advancement
With top-tier performance, reflecting exceptional ability to convert educational access into earnings advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisRutgers University-Newark delivers exceptional return on educational investment through controlled costs and strong earnings outcomes. Graduates earn $23,672 beyond expectations, ranking at the 95.7th percentile nationally on this measure of institutional effectiveness.
Median earnings of $74,479 place the institution in the 90th percentile, substantially above the peer median of $50,116. Earnings span from $49,127 at the 25th percentile to $107,416 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse career trajectories across programs.
Students seeking strong post-graduation outcomes at an accessible public university with demonstrated economic mobility. Well-suited for first-generation students (34.6%) and Pell-eligible students (55.7%) prioritizing earnings growth over prestige.
Rutgers University-Newark's Mobility Engine designation makes it ideal for students from diverse economic backgrounds seeking career advancement through business, finance, and technology programs.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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Top-5% nationally for earnings beyond expectations
Rutgers University-Newark leads with its mobility performance at the 96.4th percentile nationally, ranking #58 among all four-year institutions. Located in Newark, New Jersey, this medium-sized public university combines open-access admissions (78.7% acceptance rate) with exceptional post-graduation outcomes.
The institution enrolls 55.7% Pell-eligible students and 34.6% first-generation students, demonstrating substantial commitment to educational access. Graduates earn $23,672 beyond expectations relative to similar students, placing Rutgers-Newark at the 95.7th percentile for earnings uplift.
Median earnings reach $74,479 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 90th percentile nationally. This combination of accessible admission, high-need student enrollment, and strong economic outcomes places Rutgers-Newark firmly within the Mobility Engine quadrant, where institutions successfully convert educational opportunity into sustained earnings growth.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Rutgers University-Newark maintains moderate costs with substantial financial aid that makes attendance accessible across income levels. The published cost of attendance reaches $33,749 annually, including $16,586 in-state tuition, $15,060 for room and board, and $1,391 for books and supplies.
However, the average student pays just $19,407 after financial aid, representing $14,342 in average aid savings. This net price of $19,407 compares favorably to peer institutions, sitting $5,314 below the peer median of $14,093.
The cost structure demonstrates Rutgers-Newark's commitment to affordability, with financial aid substantially reducing the burden for students across income levels. Net prices range from $14,840 for families earning under $30,000 to $32,589 for families earning over $110,000, creating a progressive pricing structure that concentrates support toward lower-income students.
This approach aligns with the institution's role as a Mobility Engine, ensuring that cost does not create barriers to educational access for students from diverse economic backgrounds. The substantial gap between sticker price and average net price indicates comprehensive financial aid programs that make attendance realistic for students who might otherwise find the published costs prohibitive.
Rutgers University-Newark graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth across career stages. Median earnings rise from $61,263 six years after enrollment to $67,665 at eight years and $74,479 at ten years, representing 21.6% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes reflect a substantial ten-year cohort of 12,335 graduates, providing high confidence in reported figures. Graduates earn $23,672 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing the institution at the 95.7th percentile for earnings uplift.
This represents one of the strongest value-added performances among public universities. Low-income graduates earn $73,900, ranking in the top 5% nationally and demonstrating exceptional mobility outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds.
The earnings distribution spans from $49,127 to $107,416, indicating meaningful variation across programs and career paths. Approximately 23.3% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, suggesting balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education.
These outcomes position Rutgers-Newark among the top performers nationally for translating educational access into economic advancement.
Rutgers University-Newark maintains an Open Access admissions profile with a 78.7% acceptance rate, meaning roughly 4 in 5 applicants receive admission offers. This places the institution well above the peer median admission rate of 84.6%, indicating slightly more competitive admission than typical for similar public universities.
The 78.7% acceptance rate provides reasonable admission odds for qualified applicants while maintaining academic standards through holistic review processes. Students should expect that meeting basic eligibility requirements significantly improves admission chances, though the university does evaluate applications comprehensively rather than automatically admitting all eligible candidates.
The Open Access designation reflects Rutgers-Newark's commitment to educational opportunity, particularly for students from underrepresented backgrounds. With over half of enrolled students being Pell-eligible, the institution prioritizes access alongside academic achievement.
Prospective applicants should view Rutgers-Newark as a realistic option for students with solid academic preparation, though they should still submit competitive applications demonstrating readiness for university-level coursework. This selectivity level supports the institution's role as a Mobility Engine, converting educational access into strong post-graduation outcomes.
Computer and Information Sciences, General.
88 graduates
Finance and Financial Management Services.
347 graduates
Management Information Systems and Services.
58 graduates
Accounting and Related Services.
157 graduates
Information Science/Studies.
12 graduates
Rutgers University-Newark offers 19 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data, demonstrating strength across business, technology, and social sciences. Artificial Intelligence ranks #16 nationally and #2 in New Jersey, graduating 66 students with median earnings of $114,399 and a value score of 92.5.
Banking and Financial Support Services ranks #14 nationally and #1 in New Jersey, producing 294 graduates with median earnings of $86,111. Business Administration and Management ranks #21 nationally and #3 in New Jersey, graduating 308 students with median earnings of $77,221.
Accounting Technology ranks #17 nationally and #1 in New Jersey, with 223 graduates earning $78,766. Psychology, General ranks #27 nationally and #3 in New Jersey, graduating 228 students with median earnings of $49,641.
Biology, General ranks #19 nationally and #4 in New Jersey, producing 165 graduates with earnings of $56,996. Several programs hold the #1 ranking in New Jersey, indicating state-level leadership across multiple disciplines.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
California State University-San Marcos Similar quality tier (#3136 ranked) | CA | 95% | $62,908 | #3136 | Compare |
Cuny Brooklyn College Similar quality tier in Northeast (#3652 ranked) | NY | 58% | $60,752 | #3652 | Compare |
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Similar quality tier (#2111 ranked) | CA | 31% | $90,768 | #2111 | Compare |
Montclair State University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#2110 ranked) | NJ | 88% | $61,415 | #2110 | Compare |
California State University-East Bay Similar quality tier (#4166 ranked) | CA | 97% | $71,401 | #4166 | Compare |