Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Rowan University vs Rider University: which has better ROI?

Public, Glassboro NJ · vs · Private nonprofit, Lawrenceville NJ

The verdict

Rider University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $99,168 in 7.2 years versus 7.7 years at Rowan University, on median earnings of $62,208 vs $59,988 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureRowan UniversityRider University
Net price / yr$22,408$24,792
Total net cost$89,632$99,168
Median earnings, 10 yrs$59,988$62,208
Median debt$20,500$26,130
Payback7.7 yrs7.2 yrs
20-year net return$142,928$177,792

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

Which is cheaper, Rowan University or Rider University?

Rowan University, at $22,408 a year after aid versus $24,792 — a gap of $2,384 a year, or $9,536 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Rowan University or Rider University graduates earn more?

Rider University graduates report a median $62,208 ten years after entry, $2,220 more than the $59,988 at Rowan University. 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, Rowan University or Rider University?

Rowan University: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $26,130 at Rider University, a difference of $5,630. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

67% of students finish at Rowan University, against 61% at Rider University. 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.

Rowan University vs Rider University: frequently asked questions

Is Rowan University or Rider University a better value?
Rider University. It clears its $99,168 net cost in about 7.2 years versus 7.7 years at Rowan University, on median earnings of $62,208 vs $59,988 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Rowan University or Rider University?
Rowan University: $22,408/yr net price after aid versus $24,792/yr at Rider University — a difference of $2,384 a year, or about $9,536 over four years.
Do Rowan University or Rider University graduates earn more?
Rider University graduates earn a median $62,208 ten years after entry, versus $59,988 at Rowan University — a $2,220 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.