Rutgers vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

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

Rutgers University New Brunswick is larger than Penn based on total student enrollment (52,269 students vs. 29,109 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Rutgers vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rutgers or Penn? 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 Penn ($20,522 vs. $23,570).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rutgers University New Brunswick are 18% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($15,714 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 283.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rutgers (about $50,757 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $17,929.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 83.5% higher at Penn than at Rutgers University New Brunswick (about $31,245 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $37,441.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Pennsylvania than at Rutgers University New Brunswick (51% vs. 50%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 291% larger than aid received by Rutgers University New Brunswick students ($65,458 vs. $16,742).

Rutgers vs. Penn Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 130 points higher than at Rutgers (1410).
• Incoming Penn students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 30 at Rutgers).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University New Brunswick 1310/1500; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University New Brunswick 28/33; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rutgers - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.65 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Rutgers (3.3).
• Rutgers has a higher acceptance rate (58.1%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.5% at Rutgers vs. 68% at Penn.

Rutgers vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rutgers and Penn? 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).

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Rutgers University New Brunswick's (77%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $57,400 more per year than Rutgers graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $66,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $1,582 lower median loan debt than Rutgers graduates ($20,633 vs. $22,215).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rutgers graduates ($213 vs. $229).
• More Penn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rutgers students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.