RPI vs. Case Western

Comparable Facts

Compare Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY with Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Case Western Reserve University is larger than RPI based on total student enrollment (12,475 students vs. 7,040 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is located in Troy, NY (Small City setting); Case Western Reserve University is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Case Western Reserve University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1; Case Western Reserve University 9:1.

RPI vs. Case Western Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RPI or Case Western? 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than Case Western ($38,887 vs. $44,000).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are 3.4% lower than at Case Western Reserve University ($18,120 vs. $18,762).
• Case Western Reserve University is 3.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than RPI (about $2,527 more per year; $66,608.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at Case Western than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (about $2,527 more per year; $66,608.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at Case Western Reserve University (95% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 3.8% larger than aid received by Case Western Reserve University students ($43,517 vs. $41,913).

RPI vs. Case Western Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RPI or Case Western? 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 Case Western and RPI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Case Western Reserve University (1490) is 50 points higher than at RPI (1440).
• Incoming Case Western students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at RPI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510; Case Western Reserve University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34; Case Western Reserve University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RPI - Test optional; Case Western - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027; Case Western Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Case Western (3.86).
• RPI has a higher acceptance rate (63.5%) than Case Western (36.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at RPI vs. 11.9% at Case Western.

RPI vs. Case Western Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RPI and Case Western? 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 Case Western Reserve University's (78%).
• Graduates from Case Western Reserve University earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than RPI graduates about ten years after starting college ($84,700 vs. $82,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Case Western Reserve University graduates have a $3,434 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($24,066 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Case Western graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($248 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Case Western 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.