Fitchburg State vs. Rutgers University-Newark

Comparable Facts

Compare Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, MA with Rutgers University Newark in Newark, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rutgers University Newark is larger than Fitchburg State based on total student enrollment (11,315 students vs. 5,892 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fitchburg State University is located in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); Rutgers University Newark is in Newark, NJ (Large City setting).
• Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rutgers University Newark is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fitchburg State University 11:1; Rutgers University Newark 14:1.

Fitchburg State vs. Rutgers University-Newark Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State or Rutgers University-Newark? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fitchburg State University than Rutgers University-Newark ($15,340 vs. $18,276).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fitchburg State University are 3.9% lower than at Rutgers University Newark ($15,452 vs. $16,074).
• Rutgers University Newark is 52% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $5,904 more per year; $17,250.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 111% higher at Rutgers University-Newark than at Fitchburg State University (about $19,336 more per year; $36,762.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fitchburg State University than at Rutgers University Newark (92% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rutgers University Newark students is 50.8% larger than aid received by Fitchburg State University students ($17,405 vs. $11,539).

Fitchburg State vs. Rutgers University-Newark Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fitchburg State or Rutgers University-Newark? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Rutgers University-Newark and Fitchburg State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fitchburg State University (1150) is the same as at Rutgers University-Newark (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fitchburg State University 1060/1230; Rutgers University Newark 1030/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsRutgers University Newark 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fitchburg State - Test optional; Rutgers University-Newark - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Fitchburg State students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.29) than students at Rutgers University-Newark (3.23).
• Fitchburg State has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than Rutgers University-Newark (71.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Fitchburg State vs. 7.1% at Rutgers University-Newark.

Fitchburg State vs. Rutgers University-Newark Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fitchburg State and Rutgers University-Newark? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Rutgers University Newark's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Fitchburg State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Rutgers University Newark earn a median of about $22,200 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,200 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rutgers University Newark graduates have a $470 lower median loan debt than Fitchburg State graduates ($22,215 vs. $22,685).
• Among borrowers, Rutgers University-Newark graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fitchburg State graduates ($229 vs. $234).
• More Rutgers University-Newark graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fitchburg State students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 65%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.