Canisius vs. RIT

Comparable Facts

Compare Canisius University in Buffalo, NY with Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rochester Institute of Technology is larger than Canisius based on total student enrollment (17,098 students vs. 2,451 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Canisius University is located in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting); Rochester Institute of Technology is in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Canisius University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rochester Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Canisius University 11:1; Rochester Institute of Technology 13:1.

Canisius vs. RIT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Canisius or RIT ? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Canisius University than RIT ($19,666 vs. $39,534).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Canisius University are 16% lower than at Rochester Institute of Technology ($13,560 vs. $16,142).
• Rochester Institute of Technology is 71.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Canisius (about $24,774 more per year; $59,274.00 vs. $34,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71.8% higher at RIT than at Canisius University (about $24,774 more per year; $59,274.00 vs. $34,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Canisius University than at Rochester Institute of Technology (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students is 40.5% larger than aid received by Canisius University students ($35,077 vs. $24,972).

Canisius vs. RIT Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Canisius or RIT ? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between RIT and Canisius.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rochester Institute of Technology (1380) is 190 points higher than at Canisius (1190).
• Incoming RIT students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 25 at Canisius).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Canisius University 1050/1320; Rochester Institute of Technology 1300/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Canisius University 22/28; Rochester Institute of Technology 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Canisius - Test-free; RIT - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RIT Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Canisius students have the same average high school GPA (3.7) as students at RIT (3.7).
• Canisius has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than RIT (66.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Canisius vs. 16.3% at RIT .

Canisius vs. RIT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Canisius and RIT ? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Canisius University's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Rochester Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from Rochester Institute of Technology earn a median of about $15,000 more per year than Canisius graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,900 vs. $49,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Canisius University graduates have a $3,250 lower median loan debt than RIT graduates ($24,750 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Canisius graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIT graduates ($255 vs. $289).
• More RIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Canisius students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 71%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.