Ithaca College vs. RPI

Comparable Facts

Compare Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY 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 Ithaca College based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 4,767 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Ithaca College vs. RPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ithaca 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 Ithaca College than RPI ($35,253 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ithaca College are 10.6% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($16,192 vs. $18,120).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 19.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ithaca College (about $10,541 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $53,540.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.7% higher at RPI than at Ithaca College (about $10,541 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $53,540.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ithaca College than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 30.1% larger than aid received by Ithaca College students ($43,517 vs. $33,450).

Ithaca College vs. RPI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 130 points higher than at Ithaca College (1310).
• Incoming RPI students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at Ithaca College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ithaca College 1230/1390; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ithaca College 27/30; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ithaca College - Test optional; RPI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ithaca College Feb 1, 2027; RPI Jan 15, 2027.
• Ithaca College has a higher acceptance rate (69%) than RPI (63.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at Ithaca College vs. 12.1% at RPI.

Ithaca College vs. RPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ithaca 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 Ithaca College's (74%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $26,400 more per year than Ithaca College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $56,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ithaca College graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($25,750 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Ithaca College graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($266 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ithaca College students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 84%)

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.