Rutgers University-New Brunswick: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
New Brunswick, New Jersey · Public · Moderately selective · CDS 2023-2024
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Rutgers University-New Brunswick is a public university in New Brunswick, New Jersey that admits about 65% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $24,406 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Computer and Information Sciences, General, Psychology, General and Finance and Financial Management Services, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 85% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 2.3 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Rutgers University-New Brunswick is a public institution located in New Brunswick, New Jersey with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Rutgers University-New Brunswick admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 65%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1410 and an ACT composite around 30. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $24,406 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What parents should know about Rutgers University-New Brunswick right now
Rutgers University-New Brunswick, chartered in 1766 as Queen's College, is one of nine colonial colleges and the only one that is also a land-grant institution and a state university. The flagship campus enrolls roughly 43,859 students across five connected campuses (College Avenue, Busch, Livingston, Cook, and Douglass), each with its own academic identity covering engineering, sciences, business, and environmental studies. For parents weighing affordability, the most consequential recent change is the Scarlet Guarantee, an in-state aid program announced in 2023 and now in active use for first- and second-year students: New Jersey families with adjusted gross income of $65,000 or less pay no tuition or mandatory fees, those between $65,001 and $80,000 pay no more than $3,000 per year, and those between $80,001 and $100,000 pay no more than $5,000. Rutgers is classified as an R1 very high research activity university and is currently ranked #40 among national universities by U.S. News. STEM strengths are deep, with dedicated schools in engineering, pharmacy, chemistry, physics, and biology, and the campus operates 58 residence halls housing more than 15,000 students plus four dining facilities serving roughly 4.5 million meals a year. The Scarlet Guarantee can be combined with federal Pell and New Jersey state aid, and aid offers for students who file the FAFSA or NJAFAA by February 1 began posting in spring 2025 through the my.rutgers.edu portal, giving families an earlier and clearer view of net cost.
What GPA does my child need for Rutgers University-New Brunswick?
Rutgers University-New Brunswick admits students with a wide GPA range, but most successful applicants present an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher with a college-prep curriculum.
What does Rutgers University-New Brunswick weight in admissions?
Rutgers University-New Brunswick reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2023-2024). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Application essay
- • Extracurricular activities
- • Character/personal qualities
SAT and ACT scores Rutgers University-New Brunswick typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 660–770, with an EBRW midpoint near 660. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 28–33. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.
| 25th percentile | — |
| 50th percentile | 1410 |
| 75th percentile | — |
| % submitting SAT | 50.9% |
| 25th percentile | 28 |
| 50th percentile | 31 |
| 75th percentile | 33 |
| % submitting ACT | 5.4% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 30% |
| Top 25% of class | 66% |
| Top 50% of class | 92% |
| % submitting class rank | 14% |
How much does Rutgers University-New Brunswick actually cost?
Published tuition is $17,929 for in-state students and $37,441 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $15,714 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $24,406 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 28% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $14,222 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $33,734 |
| Room and board | $15,714 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $24,406 |
| Application fee | $70 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Rutgers University-New Brunswick
| Regular deadline | Varies by year (priority date 12/1) |
| Notification date | February 28 for Regular Decision |
| Reply deadline | May 1 or within 1 week if notified thereafter |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | November 1 |
Will my child graduate from Rutgers University-New Brunswick?
These predict outcomes at Rutgers University-New Brunswick better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Rutgers University-New Brunswick
The most popular undergraduate programs at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Computer and Information Sciences, General, Psychology, General and Finance and Financial Management Services. Across all programs, Rutgers University-New Brunswick confers roughly 3,463 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Computer and Information Sciences, General program report a median income of about $131,153 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 613 | $131,153 |
| Psychology, General | 484 | $58,473 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 418 | $101,309 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 406 | $80,550 |
| Biology, General | 394 | $72,842 |
| Public Health | 394 | $73,195 |
| Information Science/Studies | 385 | $97,712 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 369 | $70,465 |
Is Rutgers University-New Brunswick safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Rutgers University-New Brunswick disclosed 87 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.3 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 30 violent offenses and 26 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Rutgers University-New Brunswick?
About 41% of undergraduates at Rutgers University-New Brunswick live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in New Jersey parents ask about
- Seton Hall University73% acceptance
- Stevens Institute of Technology48% acceptance
- New Jersey Institute of Technology65% acceptance
- Montclair State University88% acceptance
- College of New Jersey62% acceptance
- Rider University79% acceptance
- Ramapo College of New Jersey71% acceptance
- Drew University68% acceptance
Next steps for Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Common questions parents ask about Rutgers University-New Brunswick
What GPA do I need for Rutgers University-New Brunswick?
Rutgers University-New Brunswick admits students with a wide GPA range, but most successful applicants present an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher with a college-prep curriculum.
What SAT or ACT score does Rutgers University-New Brunswick typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 660–770, with an EBRW midpoint near 660. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 28–33.
How much does Rutgers University-New Brunswick actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Rutgers University-New Brunswick after grants and scholarships is $24,406 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $17,929 and $37,441 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is Rutgers University-New Brunswick realistic for my child?
Rutgers University-New Brunswick admits 65% of applicants, so 660–770 SAT Math is target range and below 660 is a reach. Then check the $24,406 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Rutgers University-New Brunswick?
Rutgers University-New Brunswick accepts about 65% of applicants out of roughly 43,347 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.
Is Rutgers University-New Brunswick test-optional?
Yes. Rutgers University-New Brunswick is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at Rutgers University-New Brunswick?
About 85% of students at Rutgers University-New Brunswick graduate within six years, and 71% finish in four years. 93% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does Rutgers University-New Brunswick look for in applicants?
Rutgers University-New Brunswick rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Rutgers University-New Brunswick a public or private school, and where is it located?
Rutgers University-New Brunswick is a public institution located in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
What are the most popular majors at Rutgers University-New Brunswick?
The largest undergraduate majors at Rutgers University-New Brunswick by annual graduates are Computer and Information Sciences, General, Psychology, General and Finance and Financial Management Services. The school awards about 3,463 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Rutgers University-New Brunswick safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Rutgers University-New Brunswick reported 87 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 2.3 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Rutgers University-New Brunswick?
At Rutgers University-New Brunswick, 41% of undergraduates live on campus, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2023-2024 Common Data Set submitted by Rutgers University-New Brunswick, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers