RPI vs. Middlebury

Comparable Facts

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

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than Middlebury based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 2,803 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is located in Troy, NY (Small City setting); Middlebury College is in Middlebury, VT (Rural Fringe setting).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Middlebury College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1; Middlebury College 8:1.

RPI vs. Middlebury Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RPI or Middlebury? 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 Middlebury College than RPI ($26,233 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are 5.9% lower than at Middlebury College ($18,120 vs. $19,250).
• Middlebury College is 5.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than RPI (about $3,519 more per year; $67,600.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.5% higher at Middlebury than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (about $3,519 more per year; $67,600.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at Middlebury College (95% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Middlebury College students is 37.1% larger than aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students ($59,647 vs. $43,517).

RPI vs. Middlebury Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Middlebury College (1500) is 60 points higher than at RPI (1440).
• Incoming Middlebury students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at RPI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510; Middlebury College 1445/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34; Middlebury College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RPI - Test optional; Middlebury - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027; Middlebury Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Middlebury students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at RPI (3.88).
• RPI has a higher acceptance rate (63.5%) than Middlebury (10.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at RPI vs. 44.4% at Middlebury.

RPI vs. Middlebury Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RPI and Middlebury? 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).

• Middlebury College's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's (84%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than Middlebury graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $72,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Middlebury College graduates have a $11,611 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($15,889 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Middlebury graduates have an estimated $120 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($164 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Middlebury students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 88%)

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.