George Washington vs. RPI

Comparable Facts

Compare George Washington University in Washington, DC with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

George Washington University is larger than RPI based on total student enrollment (25,374 students vs. 7,040 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

George Washington vs. RPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, George Washington 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than George Washington ($38,887 vs. $46,485).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Washington University are 6.6% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($16,920 vs. $18,120).
• George Washington University is 5.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than RPI (about $3,629 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.7% higher at George Washington than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (about $3,629 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at George Washington University (95% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 16% larger than aid received by George Washington University students ($43,517 vs. $37,500).

George Washington vs. RPI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, George Washington 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 George Washington.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 10 points higher than at George Washington (1430).
• Incoming George Washington students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at RPI (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 1350/1500; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 31/34; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: George Washington - Test optional; RPI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: George Washington Jan 5, 2027; RPI Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at George Washington (3.81).
• RPI has a higher acceptance rate (63.5%) than George Washington (47.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.3% at George Washington vs. 12.1% at RPI.

George Washington vs. RPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for George Washington 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 George Washington University's (81%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than George Washington graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $80,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, George Washington University graduates have a $2,538 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($24,962 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, George Washington graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($258 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former George Washington students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 82%)

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.