Rutgers University-Newark vs Essex County College: which has better ROI?
Rutgers University-Newark has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $78,812 in 3 years versus not at all at Essex County College, on median earnings of $74,479 vs $37,230 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Rutgers University-Newark | Essex County College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,703 | $4,436 |
| Total net cost | $78,812 | $8,872 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $74,479 | $37,230 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | — |
| Payback | 3 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $443,568 | -$231,472 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Rutgers University-Newark or Essex County College?
Essex County College, at $4,436 a year after aid versus $19,703 — a gap of $15,267 a year, or $69,940 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Rutgers University-Newark or Essex County College graduates earn more?
Rutgers University-Newark graduates report a median $74,479 ten years after entry, $37,249 more than the $37,230 at Essex County College. 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 graduates more of its students?
64% of students finish at Rutgers University-Newark, against 20% at Essex County College. 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.