Rutgers University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

Rutgers University is a public research university with an acceptance rate of 60%. Rutgers ranks among the top public universities and top New Jersey colleges and universities. Considering applying to Rutgers? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, Rutgers had an acceptance rate of 60%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 60 were admitted, making Rutgers' admissions process somewhat competitive.

SAT Scores and Requirements

Rutgers requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 87% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of Rutgers' admitted students fall within the top 35% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to Rutgers scored between 590 and 740, while 25% scored below 590 and 25% scored above 740. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 570 and 790, while 25% scored below 570 and 25% scored above 790. Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1530 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at Rutgers University.

Requirements

Rutgers does not require the SAT writing section or SAT Subject tests. Note that Rutgers participates in the scorechoice program, which means that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT test dates.

ACT Scores and Requirements

Rutgers requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 25% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of Rutgers' admitted students fall within the top 26% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to Rutgers received a composite ACT score between 24 and 35, while 25% scored above 35 and 25% scored below 24.

Requirements

Note that Rutgers does not superscore ACT results; your highest composite ACT score will be considered. Rutgers does not require the ACT writing section.

GPA

In 2019, the middle 50% of Rutgers University's incoming class had high school GPAs between 3.5 and 4.2. 25% had a GPA above 4.2, and 25% had a GPA below 3.5. These results suggest that most successful applicants to Rutgers have primarily A and high B grades.

Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to Rutgers University. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

Rutgers University, which accepts more than half of applicants, has a somewhat selective admissions process. If your SAT/ACT scores and GPA fall within the school's average ranges, you have a strong chance of being accepted. However, Rutgers' admissions process involves other factors beyond grades and test scores. A strong application essay and a rigorous course schedule can strengthen your application, as can participation in meaningful extracurricular activities. Students with particularly compelling stories or achievements can still receive serious consideration even if their test scores are outside of Rutgers' average range. Note that Rutgers does not consider letters of recommendation in the admissions process.

The data in the graph would suggest that nearly all students with a "B" or better average and a combined SAT score above 1050 will be admitted. The reality is quite different. When we strip away the blue and green accepted student data points, we can see that plenty of students with "A" averages and strong standardized test scores were rejected. The pattern of the rejection data suggests that Rutgers values SAT and ACT scores more than grades. Nearly all students with an SAT score above 1400 were admitted, while the same can't be said for students with averages in the "A" range.

The reasons a seemingly qualified student might be waitlisted or rejected include lack of extracurricular involvement, inadequate coursework in core subjects, failure to take challenging classes such as AP and Honors, or a weak application essay.

All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and Rutgers University Undergraduate Admissions Office.