Cornell vs. RIT

Comparable Facts

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

Cornell University is larger than RIT based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 17,098 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell University is located in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting); Rochester Institute of Technology is in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Cornell 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: Cornell University 9:1; Rochester Institute of Technology 13:1.

Cornell vs. RIT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell 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 Cornell University than RIT ($26,361 vs. $39,534).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rochester Institute of Technology are 16.9% lower than at Cornell University ($16,142 vs. $19,428).
• Cornell University is 16.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than RIT (about $10,040 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.9% higher at Cornell than at Rochester Institute of Technology (about $10,040 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rochester Institute of Technology than at Cornell University (98% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 76.1% larger than aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students ($61,779 vs. $35,077).

Cornell vs. RIT Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cornell 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 Cornell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell University (1540) is 160 points higher than at RIT (1380).
• Incoming Cornell students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at RIT ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 1500/1570; Rochester Institute of Technology 1300/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 33/35; Rochester Institute of Technology 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell - Required; RIT - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cornell Jan 2, 2027; RIT Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cornell students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at RIT (3.7).
• RIT has a higher acceptance rate (66.9%) than Cornell (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 63.9% at Cornell vs. 16.3% at RIT .

Cornell vs. RIT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell 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).

• Cornell University's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Rochester Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from Cornell University earn a median of about $33,500 more per year than RIT graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,400 vs. $64,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $16,000 lower median loan debt than RIT graduates ($12,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $165 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIT graduates ($124 vs. $289).
• More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIT students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 75%)

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.