Rutgers University-New Brunswick, founded in 1766, is the flagship campus of New Jersey's state university system and a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. Ranked among the top national public universities by U.S. News, Rutgers-New Brunswick offers 150+ undergraduate majors across 17 schools and colleges, with particular strengths in engineering, pharmacy, and the life sciences. The university's 2,685-acre campus is divided into five smaller campuses along the Raritan River, featuring landmarks like the Zimmerli Art Museum and the recently constructed Honors College complex. Rutgers is classified as an R1 research institution with over $700 million in annual research expenditures.
Rutgers-New Brunswick's location between New York City and Philadelphia provides unparalleled professional and cultural opportunities. The Scarlet Knights compete in NCAA Division I athletics in the Big Ten Conference. The university's Douglass Residential College continues its historic mission of women's education, while its Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy ranks among the nation's best. Rutgers-New Brunswick's diverse student body and vibrant Greek life contribute to a dynamic campus atmosphere.
Rutgers University-New Brunswick Acceptance Rate
Rutgers University-New Brunswick (Rutgers) is somewhat selective. With an acceptance rate of 65.35%, the school is accessible to students who demonstrate foundational academic competency and a readiness for college-level work.
Admissions Guidelines
- Broad Evaluation: Personal growth and vocational goals are considered alongside grades.
- Flexible Standards: Strengths in extracurriculars can often balance an average GPA.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem .
Rutgers University-New Brunswick Admission Requirements
Rutgers GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Rutgers is 3.3. Admission is competitive, but not extremely selective.
A mix of A’s and B’s is acceptable, and taking AP/IB courses helps.
If your GPA is between 3 and 3.3, you should aim for a high SAT or ACT score.
Rutgers GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Admissions at Rutgers utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.3, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
| Candidate GPA Range | Admission Category | Strategic Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| 3.30 – 4.00 | Strategic Reach | Maintain Rigor & High Testing |
| 3.10 – 3.29 | Competitive Match | Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation |
| 2.90 – 3.09 | Secondary Reach | Personal Statement & Impact |
| Below 2.89 | Institutional Reach | Requires Significant Contextual Factors |
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- The Rigor Metric: At Rutgers, a slightly lower GPA (e.g., 3.8) in a transcript featuring multiple AP or IB courses is often prioritized over a 4.0 in a standard curriculum.
- The Upward Trend: If your early high school grades were lower, an upward trajectory in 11th and 12th grade demonstrates Academic Resilience.
Data Source: Verified via IPEDS and latest Common Data Set (CDS). Reviewed by our academic board led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Calculated via College Portal’s Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards.
Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Rutgers University-New Brunswick (Rutgers) SAT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. For the 2026 academic cycle, the landscape of standardized testing has shifted back toward Test-Required policies at the majority of highly selective and Ivy+ institutions. Following a multi-year "Test-Optional" pilot, data-driven results have led universities like Harvard, Yale, Brown, and the University of Texas at Austin to reinstate the SAT and ACT as mandatory components of the application.
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2025 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Rutgers University-New Brunswick Average SAT Score: 1383
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Rutgers University-New Brunswick is 1383 on the 1600 SAT scale.
SAT Competitiveness
This score makes it Competitive for SAT scores. You need to do well to score 1383 on the SAT.
Key Insight:Aim for the 75th percentile (1480 SAT or 33 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Rutgers University-New Brunswick allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 1270, you must retake the SAT to improve your chances of admission to Rutgers. It is not strange to appear multiple times for the SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 700 | 640 | 760 |
| SAT Reading | 675 | 630 | 720 |
| SAT Composite | 1383 | 1270 | 1480 |
It means that if you have scored less than 1270 then you are below most of the admitted students at Rutgers and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1480 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1400
Can I get into Rutgers University-New Brunswick (Rutgers) with a 1500 SAT?
With a 1500 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Rutgers University-New Brunswick (Rutgers) are good but the admission staff at Rutgers tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
Rutgers University-New Brunswick (Rutgers) ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at Rutgers is 31.
ACT Competitiveness
This score makes Rutgers University-New Brunswick very Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do very well to score 31 on the ACT.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 30 | 26 | 33 |
| ACT English | 31 | 27 | 34 |
| ACT Composite | 31 | 28 | 33 |
Can I get into Rutgers University-New Brunswick with a 33 ACT?
With a 33 ACT Score, your chances of admission at Rutgers University-New Brunswick are good but the admission staff does not check your ACT Score only. The College Admission process tests your all-around personality and academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission.
View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 31.Rutgers Profile
Name: Rutgers University-New Brunswick (Rutgers)
City: New Brunswick
State: New Jersey
Type: Public
Zip: 08901-1281
Campus: Main
Accredited by: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
How much does a degree from Rutgers Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Rutgers University-New Brunswick is USD: 35232. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Rutgers University-New Brunswick is USD: 23519
How can I get a scholarship?
27.2% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 36.79 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Rutgers and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Rutgers University-New Brunswick, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Rutgers as your choice in the form.
How much a Rutgers Graduate make?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is USD 74479. An average Rutgers graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 40595
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Rutgers University-New Brunswick. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hendrix College | Hendrix College, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| Chapman University | Chapman University, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| Pepperdine University | Pepperdine University, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| Westmont College | Westmont College, CA | 1367 | 32 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | University of Colorado Boulder, CO | 1353 | 31 |
| University of Denver | University of Denver, CO | 1344 | 31 |
| United States Air Force Academy | United States Air Force Academy, CO | 1362 | 30 |
| University of Connecticut | University of Connecticut, CT | 1338 | 31 |
| Wheaton College | Wheaton College, IL | 1363 | 30 |
| Centre College | Centre College, KY | 1345 | 29 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Rutgers University-New Brunswick. If your SAT or ACT score are competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| American University | American University, DC | 1392 | 31 |
| Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, IN | 1389 | 32 |
| St. John's College | St. John's College, MD | 1381 | 31 |
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst | University of Massachusetts-Amherst, MA | 1393 | 31 |
| St Olaf College | St Olaf College, MN | 1373 | 30 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Rutgers University-New Brunswick. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occidental College | Occidental College, CA | 1461 | 33 |
| Santa Clara University | Santa Clara University, CA | 1417 | 32 |
| Colorado College | Colorado College, CO | 1445 | 33 |
| George Washington University | George Washington University, DC | 1433 | 33 |
| University of Miami | University of Miami, FL | 1416 | 32 |
Degree Programs
Bachelor Degree Programs
- Accounting and Related Services
- Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
- African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Agricultural Engineering
- Agriculture, General
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
- Animal Sciences
- Anthropology
- Applied Mathematics
- Area Studies
Frequently Asked Questions About Rutgers University-New Brunswick Admissions
Answer: Graduates of this university typically earn a moderate salary, $74479 annually, with some fluctuation based on the field.
Question: What is the tuition fee?
Answer: The tuition fee at this university is moderate, around $35232 per year. Many students seek financial aid and scholarships to manage the cost.
Question: What are my chances of getting a scholarship ?
Answer: Your chances of getting a scholarship are good, with about a 50-80% chance. Scholarships are competitive but achievable if you meet the criteria.
Question: What is the acceptance rate?
Answer: The acceptance rate of Rutgers University-New Brunswick is 65.35 which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
Question: What is the average GPA of admitted students?
Answer: The average GPA of admitted students is 3.3. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
Question: What is the minimum GPA required for admission?
Answer: While there is no single 'cutoff' that guarantees a rejection, admission staff uses your GPA to determine if you are a best fit. If you have at least a 3, you're in the standard pool. If you are below a 3, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
Question: What are my chances with a 3 GPA?
Answer: If your GPA is 2.9 or less, it may makes admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. But this does not mean that you must not apply, or you do not have any chances. With additional AP courses, you can increase your chances even with this GPA.
Question: Can I apply to Rutgers University-New Brunswick if my GPA is below 2.9
Answer: While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.3, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Question: How competitive is the SAT score requirement
Answer: Admission to Rutgers University-New Brunswick is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1383 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 1270-1480
Question: Is it possible to transfer from another university?
Answer: Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
Question: How can I improve my chances of getting Admissions?
Answer: To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
Full list of All degree programs offered by Rutgers University-New Brunswick.
Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2025, US Department of Education's latest 2025 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.