RPI vs. Siena College

Comparable Facts

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

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than Siena College based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 3,720 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is located in Troy, NY (Small City setting); Siena College is in Loudonville, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Siena College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1; Siena College 12:1.

RPI vs. Siena College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RPI or Siena 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 Siena College than RPI ($32,955 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Siena College are 5.7% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($17,085 vs. $18,120).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 37.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Siena College (about $17,501 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $46,580.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.6% higher at RPI than at Siena College (about $17,501 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $46,580.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Siena College than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (97% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 36.4% larger than aid received by Siena College students ($43,517 vs. $31,915).

RPI vs. Siena College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 200 points higher than at Siena College (1240).
• Incoming RPI students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Siena College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510; Siena College 1110/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34; Siena College 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RPI - Test optional; Siena College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027; Siena College Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Siena College (3.53).
• Siena College has a higher acceptance rate (69%) than RPI (63.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at RPI vs. 11.9% at Siena College.

RPI vs. Siena College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RPI and Siena 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).

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than Siena College's (74%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $22,700 more per year than Siena College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $59,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Siena College graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Siena College graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($279 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Siena College students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 81%)

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.