RPI vs. Olin College

Comparable Facts

Compare Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY with Franklin W Olin College of Engineering in Needham, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than Olin College based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 405 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is located in Troy, NY (Small City setting); Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is in Needham, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 9:1.

RPI vs. Olin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RPI or Olin 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than Olin College ($38,887 vs. $43,184).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are 12.9% lower than at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering ($18,120 vs. $20,810).
• Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is 3.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than RPI (about $2,317 more per year; $66,398.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.6% higher at Olin College than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (about $2,317 more per year; $66,398.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 0.5% larger than aid received by Franklin W Olin College of Engineering students ($43,517 vs. $43,290).

RPI vs. Olin College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (1530) is 90 points higher than at RPI (1440).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510; Franklin W Olin College of Engineering 1493/1558.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RPI - Test optional; Olin College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027; Olin College Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Olin College students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at RPI (3.88).
• RPI has a higher acceptance rate (63.5%) than Olin College (25.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at RPI vs. 43.7% at Olin College.

RPI vs. Olin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RPI and Olin 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).

• Franklin W Olin College of Engineering's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's (84%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin W Olin College of Engineering graduates have a $12,790 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($14,710 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Olin College graduates have an estimated $132 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($152 vs. $284).

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.