Rutgers vs. Wisconsin vs. Rider University vs. Tarleton

Rutgers University New Brunswick, University of Wisconsin Madison, Rider University, and Tarleton State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Rutgers University New Brunswick
University of Wisconsin Madison
Rider University
Tarleton State University

At a glance

  • Lowest net price: Wisconsin ($14,235 a year). Next is Tarleton at $16,159, about $1,924 more.
  • Hardest to get into: Wisconsin (45.2% admitted, typical SAT 1450). Rutgers is close behind (58.1%, SAT 1410); Rider University 78.6%, Tarleton 89.6%.
  • Highest graduation rate: Wisconsin (82%). Then Rutgers 77%, Rider University 63%, Tarleton 39%.
  • Highest median earnings: Rutgers ($66,200 ten years after starting college). Then Wisconsin $64,800, Rider University $53,000, Tarleton $45,500.
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Key differences

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Measure Rutgers Wisconsin Rider University Tarleton
Acceptance rateWisconsin most selective 58.1% 45.2% 78.6% 89.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)Wisconsin highest 1310-1500 1380-1520 1100-1320 980-1160
Average net priceWisconsin lowest $20,522 $14,235 $26,506 $16,159
In-state tuitionTarleton lowest $17,929 $11,603 $41,120 $8,302
Out-of-state tuitionTarleton lowest $37,441 $42,103 $41,120 $18,142
Graduation rateWisconsin highest 77% 82% 63% 39%
Median earnings (10 years)Rutgers highest $66,200 $64,800 $53,000 $45,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Rutgers 68,614
  • Wisconsin 65,894
  • Rider University 10,071
  • Tarleton 13,705
  • Admitted
  • Rutgers 39,899
  • Wisconsin 29,782
  • Rider University 7,920
  • Tarleton 12,273
  • Acceptance rate
  • Rutgers 58.1%
  • Wisconsin 45.2%
  • Rider University 78.6%
  • Tarleton 89.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Rutgers 20.5%
  • Wisconsin 28.6%
  • Rider University 9.1%
  • Tarleton 24.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Rutgers 1410
  • Wisconsin 1450
  • Rider University 1210
  • Tarleton 1070
  • Typical ACT score
  • Rutgers 30
  • Wisconsin 31
  • Rider University 29
  • Tarleton 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • Rutgers 3.3
  • Wisconsin 3.88
  • Rider University 3.41
  • Tarleton 3.21
  • Typical high school grades
  • Rutgers B+
  • Wisconsin A
  • Rider University B+
  • Tarleton B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Rutgers Exceptional
  • Wisconsin Exceptional
  • Rider University Difficult
  • Tarleton Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Rutgers Low
  • Wisconsin Low
  • Rider University
  • Tarleton
  • SAT range
  • Rutgers 1310-1500
  • Wisconsin 1380-1520
  • Rider University 1100-1320
  • Tarleton 980-1160
  • ACT range
  • Rutgers 28-33
  • Wisconsin 29-33
  • Rider University 27-31
  • Tarleton 19-24
  • Submit test scores
  • Rutgers Test optional
  • Wisconsin Test optional
  • Rider University Test optional
  • Tarleton Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Rutgers
  • Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027
  • Rider University
  • Tarleton Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Rutgers $17,929
  • Wisconsin $11,603
  • Rider University $41,120
  • Tarleton $8,302
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Rutgers $37,441
  • Wisconsin $42,103
  • Rider University $41,120
  • Tarleton $18,142
  • Room & board
  • Rutgers $15,714
  • Wisconsin $14,124
  • Rider University $17,230
  • Tarleton $10,920
  • Average net price
  • Rutgers $20,522
  • Wisconsin $14,235
  • Rider University $26,506
  • Tarleton $16,159
  • Average grant aid
  • Rutgers $16,742
  • Wisconsin $17,741
  • Rider University $29,294
  • Tarleton $7,929
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Rutgers 50%
  • Wisconsin 35%
  • Rider University 100%
  • Tarleton 91%
  • Graduation rate
  • Rutgers 77%
  • Wisconsin 82%
  • Rider University 63%
  • Tarleton 39%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Rutgers $66,200
  • Wisconsin $64,800
  • Rider University $53,000
  • Tarleton $45,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Rutgers 68%
  • Wisconsin 84%
  • Rider University 73%
  • Tarleton 56%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Rutgers $22,215
  • Wisconsin $22,250
  • Rider University $25,750
  • Tarleton $19,750
  • Median loan payment
  • Rutgers $229
  • Wisconsin $230
  • Rider University $266
  • Tarleton $204
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Rutgers 16:1
  • Wisconsin 18:1
  • Rider University 14:1
  • Tarleton 20:1
  • Popular majors
  • Rutgers
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Engineering (8%)
  • Wisconsin
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Business (10%)
    • Engineering (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Rider University
    • Business (34%)
    • Education (15%)
    • English and Literature (13%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Tarleton
    • Business (20%)
    • General Studies (18%)
    • Agriculture (11%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Location
  • Rutgers New Brunswick, NJ
  • Wisconsin Madison, WI
  • Rider University Lawrenceville, NJ
  • Tarleton Stephenville, TX
  • Setting
  • Rutgers Small City
  • Wisconsin Midsize City
  • Rider University Large Suburban
  • Tarleton Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Rutgers 52,269
  • Wisconsin 51,044
  • Rider University 4,003
  • Tarleton 17,433
  • Type
  • Rutgers Public 4 Year
  • Wisconsin Public 4 Year
  • Rider University Private 4 Year
  • Tarleton Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Rutgers #114
  • Wisconsin #109
  • Rider University #307
  • Tarleton #914

Comparable Facts

Compare Rutgers University New Brunswick in New Brunswick, NJ, University of Wisconsin Madison in Madison, WI, Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ, and Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

By total student enrollment, Rutgers University New Brunswick is the largest of the four (52,269 students), followed by Wisconsin (51,044), Tarleton (17,433), and Rider University (4,003).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Settings: New Brunswick, NJ (Small City); Madison, WI (Midsize City); Lawrenceville, NJ (Large Suburban); Stephenville, TX (Remote Town).
  • Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Rider University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Tarleton State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Rutgers 16:1; Wisconsin 18:1; Rider University 14:1; Tarleton 20:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) are lowest at Tarleton ($10,920) and highest at Rider University ($17,230); Rutgers $15,714, Wisconsin $14,124.
  • The largest share of students receiving grant aid is at Rider University (100%), then Tarleton (91%), Rutgers (50%), and Wisconsin (35%).
  • Average grant aid: Rider University $29,294; Wisconsin $17,741; Rutgers $16,742; Tarleton $7,929.

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate): Wisconsin 31; Rutgers 30; Rider University 29; Tarleton 21.
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Rutgers, Wisconsin, Rider University, and Tarleton.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027; Tarleton Aug 1, 2027.
  • Average high school GPA of enrolled freshmen: Wisconsin 3.88; Rider University 3.41; Rutgers 3.3; Tarleton 3.21.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield): Wisconsin 28.6%; Tarleton 24.3%; Rutgers 20.5%; Rider University 9.1%.

Loans and repayment

  • Median federal loan debt among borrowers: Tarleton $19,750; Rutgers $22,215; Wisconsin $22,250; Rider University $25,750.
  • Median monthly federal loan payment: Tarleton $204; Rutgers $229; Wisconsin $230; Rider University $266.
  • Share of former students actively paying back federal loans three years after graduation: Wisconsin 84%; Rider University 73%; Rutgers 68%; Tarleton 56%.

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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Rutgers University New Brunswick
University of Wisconsin Madison
Rider University
Tarleton State University