Wesleyan University vs. Rutgers

Deciding between Wesleyan University and Rutgers University New Brunswick? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Wesleyan University
Rutgers University New Brunswick

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • Wesleyan University Middletown, CT
  • Rutgers New Brunswick, NJ
  • Setting
  • Wesleyan University Small City
  • Rutgers Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Wesleyan University 4,011
  • Rutgers 52,269
  • Type
  • Wesleyan University Private 4 Year
  • Rutgers Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Wesleyan University #36
  • Rutgers #114
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Wesleyan University -
  • Rutgers -
  • Status
  • Wesleyan University Non-profit
  • Rutgers Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Wesleyan University
  • Rutgers

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Wesleyan University $70,342
  • Rutgers $17,929
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Wesleyan University $70,342
  • Rutgers $37,441
  • Room & Board
  • Wesleyan University $19,872
  • Rutgers $15,714
  • Average Net Price
  • Wesleyan University $23,025
  • Rutgers $20,522
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Wesleyan University $65,995
  • Rutgers $16,742
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Wesleyan University 42%
  • Rutgers 50%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Wesleyan University 14,389
  • Rutgers 68,614
  • Admitted
  • Wesleyan University 2,373
  • Rutgers 39,899
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Wesleyan University 16.5%
  • Rutgers 58.1%
  • Enrolled
  • Wesleyan University 34.8%
  • Rutgers 20.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Wesleyan University 1480
  • Rutgers 1410
  • Typical ACT score
  • Wesleyan University 34
  • Rutgers 30
  • Average High School GPA
  • Wesleyan University -
  • Rutgers 3.3
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Wesleyan University -
  • Rutgers B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Wesleyan University Elite
  • Rutgers Exceptional
  • Applicant Competition
  • Wesleyan University Very High
  • Rutgers Low
  • ACT Range
  • Wesleyan University 33/35
  • Rutgers 28/33
  • SAT Range
  • Wesleyan University 1415/1540
  • Rutgers 1310/1500
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Wesleyan University Test optional
  • Rutgers Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Wesleyan University Jan 1, 2027
  • Rutgers

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Wesleyan University 8:1
  • Rutgers 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Wesleyan University
    • Social Sciences (24%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
    • Ethnic Studies (12%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Rutgers
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Engineering (8%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Wesleyan University 92%
  • Rutgers 77%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Wesleyan University $58,000
  • Rutgers $66,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Wesleyan University 89%
  • Rutgers 68%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Wesleyan University $17,500
  • Rutgers $22,215
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Wesleyan University $180
  • Rutgers $229

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Wesleyan University 47%
  • Rutgers 46%
  • % Women
  • Wesleyan University 53%
  • Rutgers 54%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Wesleyan University High
  • Rutgers Very High
  • HBCU
  • Wesleyan University No
  • Rutgers No
  • % White
  • Wesleyan University 53%
  • Rutgers 42%
  • % Asian
  • Wesleyan University 8%
  • Rutgers 26%
  • % Black
  • Wesleyan University 7%
  • Rutgers 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • Wesleyan University 11%
  • Rutgers 13%
  • % Native American
  • Wesleyan University 0%
  • Rutgers 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Wesleyan University 0%
  • Rutgers 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Wesleyan University 6%
  • Rutgers 3%
  • % International
  • Wesleyan University 9%
  • Rutgers 7%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Wesleyan University 5%
  • Rutgers 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Wesleyan University 8%
  • Rutgers 75%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Wesleyan University 78%
  • Rutgers 13%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Wesleyan University Yes
  • Rutgers Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Wesleyan University Yes
  • Rutgers No
  • Meal Plan
  • Wesleyan University Yes
  • Rutgers Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Wesleyan University No
  • Rutgers Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Wesleyan University No
  • Rutgers Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT with Rutgers University New Brunswick in New Brunswick, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rutgers University New Brunswick is larger than Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (52,269 students vs. 4,011 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Wesleyan University is located in Middletown, CT (Small City setting); Rutgers University New Brunswick is in New Brunswick, NJ (Small City setting).
  • Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Wesleyan University 8:1; Rutgers University New Brunswick 16:1.

Wesleyan University vs. Rutgers Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wesleyan University or Rutgers? 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 Wesleyan University ($20,522 vs. $23,025).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rutgers University New Brunswick are 20.9% lower than at Wesleyan University ($15,714 vs. $19,872).
  • Wesleyan University is 292.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rutgers (about $52,413 more per year; $70,342.00 vs. $17,929.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 87.9% higher at Wesleyan University than at Rutgers University New Brunswick (about $32,901 more per year; $70,342.00 vs. $37,441.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rutgers University New Brunswick than at Wesleyan University (50% vs. 42%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wesleyan University students is 294.2% larger than aid received by Rutgers University New Brunswick students ($65,995 vs. $16,742).

Wesleyan University vs. Rutgers Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wesleyan University (1480) is 70 points higher than at Rutgers (1410).
  • Incoming Wesleyan University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Rutgers).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wesleyan University 1415/1540; Rutgers University New Brunswick 1310/1500.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wesleyan University 33/35; Rutgers University New Brunswick 28/33.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wesleyan University - Test optional; Rutgers - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Wesleyan University Jan 1, 2027.
  • Rutgers has a higher acceptance rate (58.1%) than Wesleyan University (16.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Wesleyan University vs. 20.5% at Rutgers.

Wesleyan University vs. Rutgers Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wesleyan University and Rutgers? 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).

  • Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Rutgers University New Brunswick's (77%).
  • Graduates from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of about $8,200 more per year than Wesleyan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,200 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Wesleyan University graduates have a $4,715 lower median loan debt than Rutgers graduates ($17,500 vs. $22,215).
  • Among borrowers, Wesleyan University graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rutgers graduates ($180 vs. $229).
  • More Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rutgers students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.