Introduction
Picking the best university isn’t just about prestige—it’s about value. A good return on investment (ROI) means strong job outcomes, reasonable cost, and solid career support. Here’s a clear, side-by-side breakdown of the University of Arizona and Rowan University. We’ll compare tuition, internship programs, placement rates, and graduate salaries. Let’s help you make a smart, informed choice.
H2: Tuition & Cost Comparison
H3: University of Arizona
- In-state tuition & fees: approximately $13,277 per year ([turn0search5]).
- Out-of-state tuition & fees: about $38,784 per year ([turn0search5]).
- Total cost including housing & food: around $31,287 for in-state and $55,705 for out-of-state students ([turn0search5]).
- Net price after need-based aid: roughly $18,561 for in-state; $38,214 for out-of-state ([turn0search5]).
- According to College Factual, total degree cost averages $172,000, with a break-even point in about 4.1 years post-graduation ([turn0search2]).
H3: Rowan University
- Estimated net price for 4 years: around $83,852 ([turn0search6]).
- This includes tuition, housing, and fees—a much lower investment compared to UA.
H2: Job Placement & Internship Opportunities
H3: University of Arizona
- Overall placement rate: around 92% within two years of graduation ([turn0search11]).
- Engineering graduates: 91% placement; MBA graduates: 86% placement ([turn0search11]).
- Reported average early career salary: $70,800; base salary around $76,000; mid-career jumps to around $125,900 ([turn0search11]).
- UA graduates enjoy strong career resources like Handshake and campus interviews ([turn0search11]).
- The State of Arizona ranks No. 7 nationally for college-degree ROI, with a typical lifetime return of $164,136 for graduates from public institutions ([turn0search3]).
H3: Rowan University
- Placement rate: over 90% employed or in grad school within six months ([turn0search0]).
- Another source shows 93.7% employed within ten years post-graduation ([turn0search1]).
- Engineering majors report starting salaries between $75,000–$90,000; IT and CS grads earn $80,000–$100,000 ([turn0search0]).
- Student support includes strong internship and co-op programs, career fairs, and coaching ([turn0search0]).
- Reddit users report ROWAN’s electrical engineering placement rate is nearly 100%, with average starting salary around $82,000—exceptional value in New Jersey ([turn0reddit12]).
H2: Long-Term Earnings & ROI Outlook
H3: University of Arizona
- With average starting salary of $42,000, and costs around $172,000, students break even approximately 4 years after graduation ([turn0search2]).
- The Arizona public university ROI across the state is strong over a lifetime—$164K return beyond costs ([turn0search3]).
H3: Rowan University
- Graduates enjoy strong early and mid-career income trajectories.
- For all majors, early career average around $62,300, climbing to $72,000, and mid-career $107,400 ([turn0search6]).
- Over 10 years, projected ROI sits at $636,148; over 20 years, $1,710,148, based on cost versus earnings potential ([turn0search6]).
H2: Quick Comparison Table
| Metric | University of Arizona | Rowan University |
|---|---|---|
| 4-Year Net Cost | ~$18K (in-state), ~$38K (out-of-state) | ~$84K total |
| Placement Rate | ~92% overall; 91% engineering, 86% MBA | 90%+ within 6 months; ~100% in ECE |
| Starting Salary | ~$70–76K base; ~$42K average | $75–90K engineering; ~$82K ECE (reddit) |
| Mid-Career Salary | ~ $125K | ~$107K average |
| Break-Even Time | ~4 years post-grad | Faster due to lower cost |
| Long-Term ROI | ~$164K lifetime return (state public schools) | ~$636K over 10 years; ~$1.7M over 20 |
H2: Conclusion — Which Offers Better ROI?
Rowan University stands out for strong ROI, thanks to much lower overall cost and competitive salary outcomes—especially in engineering. If you’re looking for dollars-and-cents value, Rowan delivers.
University of Arizona, meanwhile, shines for in-state students with access to world-class research resources, strong career support, and recognized lifetime ROI, especially if attending in-state.
Choose Rowan if affordability and engineering salaries matter most. Choose Arizona if you value research prestige, high placement rates, and can manage out-of-state costs or gain aid.