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Ramapo College of New Jersey vs Rutgers University-Camden: which has better ROI?

Public, Mahwah NJ · vs · Public, Camden NJ

The verdict

Rutgers University-Camden has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $74,980 in 2.9 years versus 3.8 years at Ramapo College of New Jersey, on median earnings of $74,479 vs $67,541 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureRamapo College of New JerseyRutgers University-Camden
Net price / yr$18,173$18,745
Total net cost$72,692$74,980
Median earnings, 10 yrs$67,541$74,479
Median debt$21,000$21,500
Payback3.8 yrs2.9 yrs
20-year net return$310,928$447,400

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Ramapo College of New Jersey or Rutgers University-Camden?

Ramapo College of New Jersey, at $18,173 a year after aid versus $18,745 — a gap of $572 a year, or $2,288 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Ramapo College of New Jersey or Rutgers University-Camden graduates earn more?

Rutgers University-Camden graduates report a median $74,479 ten years after entry, $6,938 more than the $67,541 at Ramapo College of New Jersey. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Ramapo College of New Jersey or Rutgers University-Camden?

Ramapo College of New Jersey: its completers carry a median $21,000 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Rutgers University-Camden, a difference of $500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

70% of students finish at Ramapo College of New Jersey, against 67% at Rutgers University-Camden. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Ramapo College of New Jersey vs Rutgers University-Camden: frequently asked questions

Is Ramapo College of New Jersey or Rutgers University-Camden a better value?
Rutgers University-Camden. It clears its $74,980 net cost in about 2.9 years versus 3.8 years at Ramapo College of New Jersey, on median earnings of $74,479 vs $67,541 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Ramapo College of New Jersey or Rutgers University-Camden?
Ramapo College of New Jersey: $18,173/yr net price after aid versus $18,745/yr at Rutgers University-Camden — a difference of $572 a year, or about $2,288 over four years.
Do Ramapo College of New Jersey or Rutgers University-Camden graduates earn more?
Rutgers University-Camden graduates earn a median $74,479 ten years after entry, versus $67,541 at Ramapo College of New Jersey — a $6,938 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.