RPI vs. Allegheny College

Comparable Facts

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

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than Allegheny College based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 1,171 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is located in Troy, NY (Small City setting); Allegheny College is in Meadville, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Allegheny College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1; Allegheny College 8:1.

RPI vs. Allegheny College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RPI or Allegheny College? 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 Allegheny College than RPI ($26,420 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Allegheny College are 22.2% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($14,100 vs. $18,120).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 13.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Allegheny College (about $7,531 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $56,550.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.3% higher at RPI than at Allegheny College (about $7,531 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $56,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Allegheny College than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Allegheny College students is 3.4% larger than aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students ($44,987 vs. $43,517).

RPI vs. Allegheny College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RPI or Allegheny College? 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 Allegheny College and RPI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 170 points higher than at Allegheny College (1270).
• Incoming RPI students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 27 at Allegheny College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510; Allegheny College 1173/1358.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34; Allegheny College 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RPI - Test optional; Allegheny College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027; Allegheny College Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Allegheny College (3.53).
• RPI has a higher acceptance rate (63.5%) than Allegheny College (54.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at RPI vs. 10.4% at Allegheny College.

RPI vs. Allegheny College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RPI and Allegheny College? 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 Allegheny College's (80%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $27,300 more per year than Allegheny College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $55,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Allegheny College graduates ($27,500 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, RPI graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Allegheny College graduates ($284 vs. $299).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Allegheny College students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 80%)

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.