Queens College vs. RPI

Comparable Facts

Compare CUNY Queens College in Queens, NY with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

CUNY Queens College is larger than RPI based on total student enrollment (15,965 students vs. 7,040 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• CUNY Queens College is located in Queens, NY (Large City setting); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is in Troy, NY (Small City setting).
• CUNY Queens College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: CUNY Queens College 13:1; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1.

Queens College vs. RPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Queens College 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 CUNY Queens College than RPI ($5,728 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at CUNY Queens College are 5.5% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($17,132 vs. $18,120).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 750.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Queens College (about $56,543 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $7,538.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 313.7% higher at RPI than at CUNY Queens College (about $48,593 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $15,488.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at CUNY Queens College (95% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 380.5% larger than aid received by CUNY Queens College students ($43,517 vs. $9,057).

Queens College vs. RPI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Queens College 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 Queens College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 290 points higher than at Queens College (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: CUNY Queens College 1010/1290; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsRensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Queens College - Test optional; RPI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.88 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Queens College (3.0).
• Queens College has a higher acceptance rate (64.3%) than RPI (63.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at Queens College vs. 12.1% at RPI.

Queens College vs. RPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Queens College 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).

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than CUNY Queens College's (53%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $31,700 more per year than Queens College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $50,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY Queens College graduates have a $16,500 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($11,000 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Queens College graduates have an estimated $171 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($113 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Queens College students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 56%)

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.