Rutgers University Tuition and Fees

By Kelly Boyer Sagert

(Last Updated – 06/2023)

Total Cost of Attendance

Rutgers University has the distinction of being one of the original colonial colleges, founded in 1766, before the U.S. became a nation. Today, Rutgers, which is the State University of New Jersey, is a leading public research university.

Rutgers University tuition is $16,263 for Rutgers in-state tuition and $33,963 for out-of-state students. This is higher than the national averages of $10,940 (in-state) and $28,240 (out-of-state) for tuition at public universities .

Costs for 2022-2023

Financial Aid

Nearly all students (97%) receive some form of financial aid to help pay for Rutgers tuition and fees. This may come as scholarships, grants, loans, or a combination of them.

Explore financial aid options: New Jersey Student Loan & Scholarships.

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students that qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, and financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, and non-profit organizations.

•  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state and federal and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

•  Scholarship Search Tool

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

At Rutgers, 46% of students take out federal student loans, while just 4% take out private student loans, which average $14,111.

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or state-affiliated organizations. While Federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for as it generally may have better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school throughout the year, private loans can potentially help you make your payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

To attend Rutgers for four years, including tuition and fees, room and board, books, and other fees, the total would be $139,120 for in-state students, based on 2022-23 numbers. In comparison, the total for tuition and fees and room and board of the average public institution is $106,760 for four years.

For students from out of state, the four-year degree price at Rutgers is $209,920. This is higher than the national average of $175,960.

Here’s some Student Loan & Scholarship Information for you.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

Costs for 2022-23

Rutgers in-state tuition was $16,263 for the 2022-23 school year, and out-of-state tuition was $33,963. Adding room and board costs of $12,923 to each, the total cost of attendance is $29,186 for in-state students and $46,886 for out-of-state.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

Costs for 2022-23

For students who go on to graduate school, the cost for Rutgers University tuition and fees for in-state students in 2022-23 was $21,078 and $33,198 for out-of-state students.

There are many options for graduate loans that can help with these costs.

Cost per Credit Hour

Part-time students from New Jersey pay $416 per credit hour, while those from other states pay $994 per credit hour.

Campus Housing Expenses

Costs for 2022-23

*Based on one-bedroom apartment pricing. Average rate based on available apartments on Rutgers’ off-campus housing website in 2023.

Rutgers University offers more than 50 housing options across its five campuses. There are traditional residence halls, and also living-learning communities where students with common interests such as business, psychology, or health and medicine can live and study together. Freshmen live on campus. For upperclassmen, there are apartments located within walking distance of the campuses. Rutgers has partnered with a site that provides affordable housing for students — you can learn more here .

Rutgers Acceptance Rate

Fall 2021

The Rutgers University acceptance rate is 68%. In Fall 2021, 29,014 students were accepted. That makes the Rutgers acceptance rate high.

Admission Requirements

Here’s what’s required, and what’s recommended, to apply to Rutgers:

Required:

•  High school transcript

•  Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR)

•  Personal Essay

Recommended:

•  SAT or ACT scores

•  List of extracurricular activities, including volunteer work

The deadline for Early Action is November 1, with a decision given by January 31. The deadline for Regular Decision is December 1, with a decision given by February 28.

SAT and ACT Scores

Arizona State University does not require test scores to be submitted with applications, though students can submit them for course placement or as supplemental information. Here are the average scores for the 25th and 75th percentile.

Popular Majors at Rutgers University

Rutgers offers more than 150 different courses of study at its campuses in New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden, as well as online. Here are the most popular majors.

1. Registered Nurse

Rutgers offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and an accelerated program for a BS. The school also has an RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and a Doctor of Nursing Practice, and specialties including School Nurse and Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 348

2. Business Administration

At Rutgers, you can earn your BS in Business Administration with an optional track in Corporate Finance, Data Analytics, Digital Marketing, or Strategic Human Resource Management.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 232

3. Health Sciences

After getting a solid foundation in the sciences, as well as taking courses like Health Psychology, Human Development, and Biomedical Ethics, students can pursue careers in nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or as a physician’s assistant.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 132

4. Psychology

Psychology students will study important theories and concepts in psychology and learn how to write, analyze, and apply critical thinking to course material. There’s also an opportunity to gain first-hand experience working in a community agency, school, hospital, or other social service or psychology institution for 14 weeks.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 111

5. Criminal Justice

This field of study offers courses like Police & Policing, Criminal Courts, Theories of Crime & Delinquency, and Inequality in Criminal Justice. Students also get a firm understanding of Sociology, Anthropology, and Urban Studies.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 67

6. Biology

Biology students in the classroom as well as in research labs. Projects they can participate in include RNA evolution, mitochondrial energetics, bacterial shape dynamics, circadian rhythms, developmental biology, adaptive animal evolution, and paleo-ecology.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 62

7. Social Work

In addition to rigorous coursework in Social Work, students are given the chance to participate in fieldwork in areas like Child Welfare, Behavioral Health, Homelessness/Housing, Healthcare/Hospital, LGBTQIA+ programs, and Mental Health.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 62

8. Accounting

Those pursuing a degree in Accounting will learn about Financial Accounting and Reporting, Managerial and Cost Accounting, Taxation, Concepts of Auditing, and Business Law.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 57

9. Marketing

In this program, you’ll be taught about all aspects of Marketing, from Digital Marketing to Brand Research. You’ll also study Personal Selling, Pricing Strategies, Retail, and Product Development and Planning. Marketing students get the opportunity to intern in the field.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 57

10. Finance

Finance students can elect to focus their studies on Corporate Finance, Financial Derivatives, Investments, Portfolio Management, Financial Markets, or Institutions. Graduates go on to work in jobs like Corporate Finance Officer, Bank Officer, Investment Analyst, or Credit Analyst.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 54

Graduation Rate

Rutgers students tend to take longer than four years to complete their coursework. Here are the Rutgers’ graduation rates:

•  4 years: 65%

•  6 years: 84%

•  8 years: 85%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

After completing an undergraduate degree at Rutgers, you can expect to earn, on average, $65,661 per year. This is higher than the national average of $47,922.