Rutgers vs. Wisconsin vs. Rider University vs. Tarleton

Should I go to Rutgers University New Brunswick or University of Wisconsin Madison? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Rutgers or Wisconsin is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Rutgers University New Brunswick vs. University of Wisconsin Madison vs. Rider University vs. Tarleton State University comparison
Rutgers University New Brunswick University of Wisconsin Madison Rider University Tarleton State University
Rutgers University New Brunswick University of Wisconsin Madison Rider University Tarleton State University
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Overview

 Rutgers Wisconsin Rider University Tarleton
Location New Brunswick, NJ Madison, WI Lawrenceville, NJ Stephenville, TX
Setting Small City Midsize City Large Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 50,617 49,605 4,083 15,937
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #113 #110 #309 #904
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit Non-profit Non-profit
Website rutgers.edu wisc.edu rider.edu tarleton.edu
Team Colors                                        

Costs

 Rutgers Wisconsin Rider University Tarleton
Tuition (In State) $13,674 $9,644 $37,700 $4,416
Tuition (Out of State) $32,436 $39,042 $37,700 $14,496
Room & Board $14,715 $13,500 $16,730 $10,846
Avg Net Price $19,052 $14,216 $26,618 $15,363
Avg Grant Aid $16,249 $11,350 $27,411 $7,600
% Receiving Grant Aid 52% 49% 100% 89%

Admission

 Rutgers Wisconsin Rider University Tarleton
Applied 43,347 63,505 9,069 8,746
Admitted 28,326 27,529 7,201 8,239
Acceptance Rate 65.3% 43.3% 79.4% 90.8%
Enrolled % 27.1% 28.9% 11.2% 37.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.88 3.41 3.21
Typical High School Grades B+ A- B+ B
Admissions Standards Exceptional Exceptional Challenging Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 28/33 28/32 22/29 19/24
SAT Range 1270/1480 1360/1510 1100/1310 960/1150
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2026 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

 Rutgers Wisconsin Rider University Tarleton
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 18:1 12:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Engineering (8%)
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • Biology (12%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Engineering (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (34%)
  • Education (15%)
  • English and Literature (13%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Business (36%)
  • General Studies (31%)
  • Agriculture (19%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (14%)
  • Psychology (14%)

Outcomes

 Rutgers Wisconsin Rider University Tarleton
Graduation Rate 77% 82% 63% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $66,200 $64,800 $53,000 $45,500
Making Student Loan Payments 68% 84% 73% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,215 $22,250 $25,750 $19,750
Median Loan Payment $229 $230 $266 $204

Diversity

 Rutgers Wisconsin Rider University Tarleton
% Men 10% 12% 7% 5%
% Women 18% 14% 14% 9%
Racial Diversity Very High Low Medium Medium
HBCU No No No No
% White 42% 76% 62% 68%
% Black 7% 2% 12% 8%
% Hispanic 13% 5% 12% 18%
% Native American 0% 0% 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0% 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3% 3% 3%
% International 7% 8% 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 0% 2% 1%

Students

 Rutgers Wisconsin Rider University Tarleton
% In-State 84% 48% 73% 96%
% Out-of-State 8% 44% 25% 3%

Campus

 Rutgers Wisconsin Rider University Tarleton
Campus Housing Yes Yes Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes No Yes
Learn More Details Details Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Rutgers University New Brunswick is larger than than Wisconsin based on total student enrollment (50,617 students vs. 49,605 students)

Rutgers vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rutgers or Wisconsin?

  • Rutgers University New Brunswick is 41.8% more expensive to attend than Wisconsin for in-state tuition ($13,674.00 vs. $9,644.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 20.4% higher at Wisconsin than Rutgers University New Brunswick ($39,042.00 vs. $32,436.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Wisconsin Madison than Rutgers ($14,216 vs. $19,052)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Madison are 9% lower than costs at Rutgers University New Brunswick ($13,500 vs. $14,715)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Rutgers University New Brunswick than University of Wisconsin Madison (52% vs. 49%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rutgers University New Brunswick students is 43.2% larger than aid received University of Wisconsin Madison ($16,249 vs. $11,350)

Rutgers vs. Wisconsin Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rutgers or Wisconsin? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Wisconsin or Rutgers .

  • The average SAT score at University of Wisconsin Madison (1300) is 75 points higher than at Rutgers (1225)
  • Accepted freshman Wisconsin students have a 0.58 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Rutgers (3.3)
  • Rutgers has a higher acceptance rate (65.3%) than Wisconsin (43.3%)

Rutgers vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Rutgers or Wisconsin? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Wisconsin and Rutgers.

  • The graduation rate at Wisconsin is higher than Rutgers University New Brunswick (82% vs. 77%)
  • Graduates from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn on average $1,400 more per year than Wisconsin graduates after ten years. ($66,200 vs. $64,800)
  • Rutgers University New Brunswick students graduate with a $35 lower median federal student loan debt than Wisconsin graduates. ($22,215 vs. $22,250)
  • Rutgers graduates are paying $1 less per month on federal student loans than Wisconsin graduates. ($229 vs. $230)
  • More Wisconsin 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/