Gordon College vs. RPI

Deciding between Gordon College and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Gordon College
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Gordon College Wenham, MA
  • RPI Troy, NY
  • Setting
  • Gordon College Large Suburban
  • RPI Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Gordon College 1,595
  • RPI 7,040
  • Type
  • Gordon College Private 4 Year
  • RPI Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Gordon College #347
  • RPI #130
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Gordon College Interdenominational
  • RPI -
  • Status
  • Gordon College Non-profit
  • RPI Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Gordon College
  • RPI
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Gordon College $30,700
  • RPI $64,081
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Gordon College $30,700
  • RPI $64,081
  • Room & Board
  • Gordon College $13,300
  • RPI $18,120
  • Average Net Price
  • Gordon College $25,299
  • RPI $38,887
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Gordon College $16,802
  • RPI $43,517
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Gordon College 100%
  • RPI 95%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Gordon College 2,366
  • RPI 17,175
  • Admitted
  • Gordon College 1,638
  • RPI 10,901
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Gordon College 69.2%
  • RPI 63.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Gordon College 21.6%
  • RPI 12.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Gordon College 1240
  • RPI 1440
  • Typical ACT score
  • Gordon College 28
  • RPI 32
  • Average High School GPA
  • Gordon College 3.58
  • RPI 3.88
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Gordon College A-
  • RPI A
  • Admissions Standards
  • Gordon College Difficult
  • RPI Exceptional
  • Applicant Competition
  • Gordon College Low
  • RPI Low
  • ACT Range
  • Gordon College 25/31
  • RPI 30/34
  • SAT Range
  • Gordon College 1130/1355
  • RPI 1375/1510
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Gordon College Test optional
  • RPI Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Gordon College Feb 1, 2027
  • RPI Jan 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Gordon College 10:1
  • RPI 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Gordon College
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
  • RPI
    • Engineering (53%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (9%)
    • Business (8%)
    • Engineering Technology (5%)
    • Architecture (5%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Gordon College 74%
  • RPI 84%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Gordon College $45,300
  • RPI $82,500
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Gordon College 85%
  • RPI 92%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Gordon College $27,000
  • RPI $27,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Gordon College $279
  • RPI $284
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Gordon College 39%
  • RPI 69%
  • % Women
  • Gordon College 61%
  • RPI 31%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Gordon College Medium
  • RPI High
  • HBCU
  • Gordon College No
  • RPI No
  • % White
  • Gordon College 72%
  • RPI 59%
  • % Asian
  • Gordon College 4%
  • RPI 10%
  • % Black
  • Gordon College 4%
  • RPI 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • Gordon College 7%
  • RPI 8%
  • % Native American
  • Gordon College 0%
  • RPI 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Gordon College 0%
  • RPI 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Gordon College 4%
  • RPI 7%
  • % International
  • Gordon College 8%
  • RPI 11%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Gordon College 0%
  • RPI 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Gordon College 39%
  • RPI 37%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Gordon College 59%
  • RPI 58%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Gordon College Yes
  • RPI Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Gordon College No
  • RPI Yes
  • Meal Plan
  • Gordon College Yes
  • RPI Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Gordon College No
  • RPI No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Gordon College No
  • RPI No

Comparable Facts

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

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than Gordon College based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 1,595 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Gordon College is located in Wenham, MA (Large Suburban setting); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is in Troy, NY (Small City setting).
  • Gordon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Gordon College 10:1; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1.

Gordon College vs. RPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gordon 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 Gordon College than RPI ($25,299 vs. $38,887).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gordon College are 26.6% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($13,300 vs. $18,120).
  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 108.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gordon College (about $33,381 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $30,700.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 108.7% higher at RPI than at Gordon College (about $33,381 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $30,700.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gordon College than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (100% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 159% larger than aid received by Gordon College students ($43,517 vs. $16,802).

Gordon College vs. RPI Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 200 points higher than at Gordon College (1240).
  • Incoming RPI students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at Gordon College).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon College 1130/1355; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon College 25/31; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gordon College - Test optional; RPI - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Gordon College Feb 1, 2027; RPI Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Gordon College (3.58).
  • Gordon College has a higher acceptance rate (69.2%) than RPI (63.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Gordon College vs. 12.1% at RPI.

Gordon College vs. RPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gordon 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 Gordon College's (74%).
  • Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $37,200 more per year than Gordon College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Gordon College graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,500).
  • Among borrowers, Gordon College graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($279 vs. $284).
  • More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Gordon College students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 85%)

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.