Princeton vs. RPI

Comparable Facts

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

Princeton University is larger than RPI based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 7,040 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is in Troy, NY (Small City setting).
• Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Princeton University 5:1; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1.

Princeton vs. RPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton 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 Princeton University than RPI ($15,313 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are 10.5% lower than at Princeton University ($18,120 vs. $20,250).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 2.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Princeton (about $1,393 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at RPI than at Princeton University (about $1,393 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at Princeton University (95% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 57.9% larger than aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students ($68,727 vs. $43,517).

Princeton vs. RPI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Princeton or RPI? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between RPI and Princeton.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 110 points higher than at RPI (1440).
• Incoming Princeton students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (34 vs. 32 at RPI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Princeton University 1510/1580; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Princeton University 34/35; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Test optional; RPI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; RPI Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Princeton students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at RPI (3.88).
• RPI has a higher acceptance rate (63.5%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 12.1% at RPI.

Princeton vs. RPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton and RPI? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's (84%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $31,400 more per year than RPI graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $82,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $20,000 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($7,500 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $207 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($77 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Princeton students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 83%)

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.