NJIT vs. RPI

Comparable Facts

Compare New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, NJ with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

New Jersey Institute of Technology is larger than RPI based on total student enrollment (13,247 students vs. 7,040 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• New Jersey Institute of Technology is located in Newark, NJ (Large City setting); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is in Troy, NY (Small City setting).
• New Jersey Institute of Technology is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: New Jersey Institute of Technology 17:1; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1.

NJIT vs. RPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NJIT 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 New Jersey Institute of Technology than RPI ($17,313 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at New Jersey Institute of Technology are 9.2% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($16,450 vs. $18,120).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 220.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than NJIT (about $44,107 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $19,974.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.1% higher at RPI than at New Jersey Institute of Technology (about $26,417 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $37,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at New Jersey Institute of Technology (95% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 140.6% larger than aid received by New Jersey Institute of Technology students ($43,517 vs. $18,084).

NJIT vs. RPI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NJIT 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 NJIT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 100 points higher than at NJIT (1340).
• Incoming RPI students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at NJIT).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: New Jersey Institute of Technology 1210/1460; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: New Jersey Institute of Technology 27/34; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NJIT - Test optional; RPI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NJIT Mar 1, 2027; RPI Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at NJIT (3.72).
• NJIT has a higher acceptance rate (65.1%) than RPI (63.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.2% at NJIT vs. 12.1% at RPI.

NJIT vs. RPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NJIT 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 New Jersey Institute of Technology's (54%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $15,300 more per year than NJIT graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $67,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, New Jersey Institute of Technology graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, NJIT graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($237 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NJIT students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 69%)

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.