Rutgers University-Newark
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$66,344
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$26,263/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
2.5 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
692%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The average in-state tuition at Rutgers University-Newark is $16,586. One year after graduation, alumni earn an average of $52,303. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $61,263, and after ten years, earnings reach $74,479. The median debt for students is $21,500, and 30.9% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the first-year earnings, is approximately 0.41. This indicates that the median debt is about 41% of the average graduate's first-year earnings.
To calculate the break-even point, the median debt of $21,500 is divided by the difference between the first-year earnings and the tuition cost. This calculation results in a break-even timeline of approximately 0.6 years.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$16,586
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
Median Earnings (5yr)
$61,263
Graduation Rate
67%
Receive Financial Aid
31%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $66,344 | $139,453 | 3049% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $66,344 | $77,221 | 1173% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | $66,344 | $86,111 | 1441% |
| Psychology, General. | $66,344 | $49,641 | 341% |
| Law. | $66,344 | $0 | N/A |
| Accounting and Related Services. | $66,344 | $78,766 | 1219% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | $66,344 | $51,267 | 390% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $66,344 | $0 | N/A |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | $66,344 | $0 | N/A |
| Biology, General. | $66,344 | $56,996 | 563% |
| Accounting and Related Services. | $66,344 | $89,485 | 1542% |
| Public Administration. | $66,344 | $63,529 | 760% |
Peer Comparison
692%
20yr ROI
669%
20yr ROI
662%
20yr ROI
1072%
20yr ROI
1349%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.