RPI vs. Skidmore College

Comparable Facts

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

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than Skidmore College based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 2,704 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

RPI vs. Skidmore College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RPI or Skidmore 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 Skidmore College than RPI ($31,187 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Skidmore College are 1% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($17,940 vs. $18,120).
• Skidmore College is 5% more expensive for in-state tuition than RPI (about $3,209 more per year; $67,290.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5% higher at Skidmore College than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (about $3,209 more per year; $67,290.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at Skidmore College (95% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Skidmore College students is 24.3% larger than aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students ($54,083 vs. $43,517).

RPI vs. Skidmore College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 30 points higher than at Skidmore College (1410).
• Incoming RPI students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Skidmore College (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510; Skidmore College 1340/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34; Skidmore College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RPI - Test optional; Skidmore College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027; Skidmore College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Skidmore College (3.75).
• RPI has a higher acceptance rate (63.5%) than Skidmore College (21.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at RPI vs. 26.6% at Skidmore College.

RPI vs. Skidmore College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RPI and Skidmore 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).

• The graduation rate at RPI is the same as at Skidmore College (84% vs. 84%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $28,100 more per year than Skidmore College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $54,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Skidmore College graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Skidmore College graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($201 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Skidmore College 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.