RPI vs. Bryn Mawr

Comparable Facts

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

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than Bryn Mawr based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 1,679 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

RPI vs. Bryn Mawr Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RPI or Bryn Mawr? 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 Bryn Mawr College than RPI ($33,221 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are 6.6% lower than at Bryn Mawr College ($18,120 vs. $19,400).
• Bryn Mawr College is 2.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than RPI (about $1,839 more per year; $65,920.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.9% higher at Bryn Mawr than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (about $1,839 more per year; $65,920.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at Bryn Mawr College (95% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bryn Mawr College students is 15% larger than aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students ($50,029 vs. $43,517).

RPI vs. Bryn Mawr Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RPI or Bryn Mawr? 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 Bryn Mawr and RPI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 40 points higher than at Bryn Mawr (1400).
• Incoming RPI students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Bryn Mawr).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510; Bryn Mawr College 1280/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34; Bryn Mawr College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RPI - Test optional; Bryn Mawr - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027; Bryn Mawr Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Bryn Mawr (3.85).
• RPI has a higher acceptance rate (63.5%) than Bryn Mawr (29.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at RPI vs. 31.5% at Bryn Mawr.

RPI vs. Bryn Mawr Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RPI and Bryn Mawr? 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).

• Bryn Mawr College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's (84%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $21,000 more per year than Bryn Mawr graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $61,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bryn Mawr College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Bryn Mawr graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($268 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bryn Mawr students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 79%)

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.