Rutgers vs. Jefferson

Comparable Facts

Compare Rutgers University New Brunswick in New Brunswick, NJ with Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rutgers University New Brunswick is larger than Jefferson based on total student enrollment (52,269 students vs. 8,238 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rutgers University New Brunswick is located in New Brunswick, NJ (Small City setting); Thomas Jefferson University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Jefferson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rutgers University New Brunswick 16:1; Thomas Jefferson University 12:1.

Rutgers vs. Jefferson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rutgers or Jefferson? 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 Rutgers University New Brunswick than Jefferson ($20,522 vs. $29,325).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rutgers University New Brunswick are 0.8% lower than at Thomas Jefferson University ($15,714 vs. $15,834).
• Thomas Jefferson University is 165% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rutgers (about $29,576 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $17,929.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.9% higher at Jefferson than at Rutgers University New Brunswick (about $10,064 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $37,441.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Jefferson University than at Rutgers University New Brunswick (100% vs. 50%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students is 109.1% larger than aid received by Rutgers University New Brunswick students ($35,007 vs. $16,742).

Rutgers vs. Jefferson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rutgers or Jefferson? 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 Jefferson and Rutgers.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rutgers University New Brunswick (1410) is 160 points higher than at Jefferson (1250).
• Incoming Rutgers students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at Jefferson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University New Brunswick 1310/1500; Thomas Jefferson University 1160/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University New Brunswick 28/33; Thomas Jefferson University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rutgers - Test optional; Jefferson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Jefferson Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Jefferson students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Rutgers (3.3).
• Jefferson has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than Rutgers (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.5% at Rutgers vs. 12.1% at Jefferson.

Rutgers vs. Jefferson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rutgers and Jefferson? 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).

• Graduates from Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of about $56,700 more per year than Rutgers graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $66,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Jefferson University graduates have a $9,715 lower median loan debt than Rutgers graduates ($12,500 vs. $22,215).
• Among borrowers, Jefferson graduates have an estimated $100 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rutgers graduates ($129 vs. $229).
• More Jefferson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rutgers students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 68%)

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.