RPI vs. Drexel

Comparable Facts

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

Drexel University is larger than RPI based on total student enrollment (21,153 students vs. 7,040 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

RPI vs. Drexel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RPI or Drexel? 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 Drexel ($38,887 vs. $42,801).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drexel University are 0.1% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($18,096 vs. $18,120).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 2.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Drexel (about $1,669 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $62,412.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.7% higher at RPI than at Drexel University (about $1,669 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $62,412.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drexel University than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 24.2% larger than aid received by Drexel University students ($43,517 vs. $35,051).

RPI vs. Drexel Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 100 points higher than at Drexel (1340).
• Incoming RPI students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 29 at Drexel).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510; Drexel University 1240/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34; Drexel University 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RPI - Test optional; Drexel - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027; Drexel Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Drexel (3.67).
• Drexel has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than RPI (63.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at RPI vs. 8.1% at Drexel.

RPI vs. Drexel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RPI and Drexel? 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 Drexel University's (68%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Drexel graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $77,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Drexel University graduates have a $1,257 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($26,243 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Drexel graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($271 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Drexel students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 77%)

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.