Rider University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Lawrenceville, New Jersey · Private nonprofit · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
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Rider University is a private nonprofit university in Lawrenceville, New Jersey that admits about 79% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $24,792 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Psychology, General and Accounting and Related Services, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 1.6 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Rider University is a private institution located in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. For the most recent reporting cycle, Rider University admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 79%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1227 and an ACT composite around 30. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $24,792 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Rider University?
Rider University has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
SAT and ACT scores Rider University typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 550–650, with an EBRW midpoint near 585. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 27–31. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | — |
| 50th percentile | 1227 |
| 75th percentile | — |
| 25th percentile | 27 |
| 50th percentile | 30 |
| 75th percentile | 31 |
How much does Rider University actually cost?
Published tuition is $41,120 for in-state students and $41,120 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $17,230 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $24,792 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 35% of students receive Pell Grants.
| Average net price (after aid) | $24,792 |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Rider University
Most popular majors at Rider University
The most popular undergraduate programs at Rider University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Psychology, General and Accounting and Related Services. Across all programs, Rider University confers roughly 438 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods program report a median income of about $57,544 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 74 | $57,544 |
| Psychology, General | 74 | $54,210 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 65 | $78,774 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 62 | $78,249 |
| Music | 45 | $40,624 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 43 | — |
| Marketing | 42 | $69,550 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 33 | $84,310 |
Is Rider University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Rider University disclosed 5 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 1.6 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 3 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
Other colleges in New Jersey parents ask about
- Ramapo College of New Jersey71% acceptance
- Drew University68% acceptance
- Princeton University5% acceptance
- Rutgers University-New Brunswick58% acceptance
- Seton Hall University73% acceptance
- Stevens Institute of Technology48% acceptance
- New Jersey Institute of Technology65% acceptance
- Montclair State University88% acceptance
Next steps for Rider University
Common questions parents ask about Rider University
What GPA do I need for Rider University?
Rider University has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
What SAT or ACT score does Rider University typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 550–650, with an EBRW midpoint near 585. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 27–31.
How much does Rider University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Rider University after grants and scholarships is $24,792 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $41,120. Budget against the net figure.
Is Rider University realistic for my child?
Rider University admits 79% of applicants, so 550–650 SAT Math is target range and below 550 is a reach. Then check the $24,792 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Rider University?
Rider University accepts about 79% of applicants. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is Rider University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Rider University is a private nonprofit institution located in Lawrenceville, New Jersey.
What are the most popular majors at Rider University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Rider University by annual graduates are Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Psychology, General and Accounting and Related Services. The school awards about 438 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Rider University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Rider University reported 5 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 1.6 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Rider University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers