Columbia vs. RPI

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than RPI based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 7,040 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia University in the City of New York is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is in Troy, NY (Small City setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1.

Columbia vs. RPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia or RPI? 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 Columbia University in the City of New York than RPI ($22,520 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 3% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($17,580 vs. $18,120).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 12.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than RPI (about $7,764 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.1% higher at Columbia than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (about $7,764 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at Columbia University in the City of New York (95% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 54% larger than aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students ($67,010 vs. $43,517).

Columbia vs. RPI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia or RPI? 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 RPI and Columbia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 110 points higher than at RPI (1440).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at RPI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; RPI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; RPI Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at RPI (3.88).
• RPI has a higher acceptance rate (63.5%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 12.1% at RPI.

Columbia vs. RPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia and RPI? 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).

• Columbia University in the City of New York's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's (84%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $25,100 more per year than RPI graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $82,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($222 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 76%)

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.