RPI vs. Gettysburg College

Comparable Facts

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

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than Gettysburg College based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 2,812 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is located in Troy, NY (Small City setting); Gettysburg College is in Gettysburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Gettysburg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1; Gettysburg College 10:1.

RPI vs. Gettysburg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RPI or Gettysburg 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 Gettysburg College than RPI ($32,769 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gettysburg College are 11.1% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($16,110 vs. $18,120).
• Gettysburg College is 4% more expensive for in-state tuition than RPI (about $2,559 more per year; $66,640.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4% higher at Gettysburg College than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (about $2,559 more per year; $66,640.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gettysburg College than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (98% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gettysburg College students is 13% larger than aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students ($49,191 vs. $43,517).

RPI vs. Gettysburg College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 70 points higher than at Gettysburg College (1370).
• Incoming RPI students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Gettysburg College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510; Gettysburg College 1270/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34; Gettysburg College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RPI - Test optional; Gettysburg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027; Gettysburg College Jan 15, 2027.
• RPI has a higher acceptance rate (63.5%) than Gettysburg College (38.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at RPI vs. 15.6% at Gettysburg College.

RPI vs. Gettysburg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RPI and Gettysburg 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).

• Gettysburg College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's (84%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $21,600 more per year than Gettysburg College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $60,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gettysburg College graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($22,000 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Gettysburg College graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($227 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Gettysburg College students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 90%)

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.