RPI vs. Saint Joseph's University

Comparable Facts

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

Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia is larger than RPI based on total student enrollment (7,159 students vs. 7,040 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is located in Troy, NY (Small City setting); Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1; Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia 11:1.

RPI vs. Saint Joseph's University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RPI or Saint Joseph's University? 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 Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia than RPI ($31,205 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia are 10.4% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($16,240 vs. $18,120).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 20.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Saint Joseph's University (about $10,821 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $53,260.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.3% higher at RPI than at Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia (about $10,821 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $53,260.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 17.7% larger than aid received by Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia students ($43,517 vs. $36,964).

RPI vs. Saint Joseph's University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RPI or Saint Joseph's University? 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 Saint Joseph's University and RPI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 180 points higher than at Saint Joseph's University (1260).
• Incoming RPI students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 29 at Saint Joseph's University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510; Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia 1170/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34; Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RPI - Test optional; Saint Joseph's University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027; Saint Joseph's University Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Saint Joseph's University (3.65).
• Saint Joseph's University has a higher acceptance rate (88.8%) than RPI (63.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at RPI vs. 14.1% at Saint Joseph's University.

RPI vs. Saint Joseph's University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RPI and Saint Joseph's University? 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 Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia's (76%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $18,500 more per year than Saint Joseph's University graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $64,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia graduates have a $4,492 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($23,008 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Saint Joseph's University graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($237 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saint Joseph's University students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 78%)

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.