AU vs. RPI

Should I go to American University or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if AU or RPI is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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American University vs. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute comparison
American University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute College 3 College 4
American University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
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Overview

 AU RPI
Location Washington, DC Troy, NY
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 13,885 6,968
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #93 #110
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website american.edu rpi.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 AU RPI
Tuition (In State) $53,070 $58,600
Tuition (Out of State) $53,070 $58,600
Room & Board $15,706 $16,980
Avg Net Price $41,369 $39,127
Avg Grant Aid $27,138 $38,636
% Receiving Grant Aid 66% 90%

Admission

 AU RPI
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,510 16,863
Admitted 7,926 10,878
Acceptance Rate 40.6% 64.5%
Enrolled % 22.2% 18.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.88
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Very High Exceptional
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 29/32 30/34
SAT Range 1290/1430 1360/1520
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2025 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

 AU RPI
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (43%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Psychology (3%)
  • Engineering (53%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (9%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (5%)
  • Architecture (5%)

Outcomes

 AU RPI
Graduation Rate 77% 84%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $64,800 $82,500
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 92%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $27,500
Median Loan Payment $250 $284

Diversity

 AU RPI
% Men 37% 69%
% Women 63% 31%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 58% 59%
% Black 7% 3%
% Hispanic 12% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 7%
% International 7% 11%
% Unknown Race 4% 2%

Students

 AU RPI
% In-State 2% 36%
% Out-of-State 94% 58%

Campus

 AU RPI
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • American University is larger than than RPI based on total student enrollment (13,885 students vs. 6,968 students)

AU vs. RPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or RPI?

  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 10.4% more expensive to attend than AU for in-state tuition ($58,600.00 vs. $53,070.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 10.4% higher at RPI than American University ($58,600.00 vs. $53,070.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than AU ($39,127 vs. $41,369)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American University are 8.1% lower than costs at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($15,706 vs. $16,980)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than American University (90% vs. 66%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 42.4% larger than aid received American University ($38,636 vs. $27,138)

AU vs. RPI Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or RPI? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between RPI or AU .

  • The average SAT score at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1368) is 116 points higher than at AU (1252)
  • Incoming RPI students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (30) than students at AU (28)
  • Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at AU (3.7)
  • RPI has a higher acceptance rate (64.5%) than AU (40.6%)

AU vs. RPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, AU or RPI? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between RPI and AU.

  • The graduation rate at RPI is higher than American University (84% vs. 77%)
  • Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn on average $17,700 more per year than AU graduates after ten years. ($82,500 vs. $64,800)
  • American University students graduate with a $3,250 lower median federal student loan debt than RPI graduates. ($24,250 vs. $27,500)
  • AU graduates are paying $34 less per month on federal student loans than RPI graduates. ($250 vs. $284)
  • More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 80%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/