RPI vs. St Lawrence University

Should I go to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or St Lawrence University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if RPI or St Lawrence University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

RIT Stevens Binghamton University Northeastern Hobart William Smith Colleges Clarkson U of R Lehigh MIT WPI Case Western Cornell
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute vs. St Lawrence University comparison
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute St Lawrence University College 3 College 4
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute St Lawrence University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 RPI St Lawrence University
Location Troy, NY Canton, NY
Setting Small City Remote Town
Enrollment 6,968 2,175
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #110 #159
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website rpi.edu stlawu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 RPI St Lawrence University
Tuition (In State) $58,600 $61,600
Tuition (Out of State) $58,600 $61,600
Room & Board $16,980 $15,995
Avg Net Price $39,127 $33,283
Avg Grant Aid $38,636 $44,093
% Receiving Grant Aid 90% 98%

Admission

 RPI St Lawrence University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 16,863 5,172
Admitted 10,878 3,284
Acceptance Rate 64.5% 63.5%
Enrolled % 18.4% 16.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.88 3.6
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Exceptional Very High
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 30/34 29/32
SAT Range 1360/1520 1240/1410
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2025 Feb 1, 2025

Academics

 RPI St Lawrence University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Engineering (53%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (9%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (5%)
  • Architecture (5%)
  • Social Sciences (30%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • English and Literature (9%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

 RPI St Lawrence University
Graduation Rate 84% 80%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $82,500 $53,100
Making Student Loan Payments 92% 85%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,500 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $284 $279

Diversity

 RPI St Lawrence University
% Men 69% 46%
% Women 31% 54%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 59% 79%
% Black 3% 3%
% Hispanic 8% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 2%
% International 11% 8%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

 RPI St Lawrence University
% In-State 36% 34%
% Out-of-State 58% 55%

Campus

 RPI St Lawrence University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than than St Lawrence University based on total student enrollment (6,968 students vs. 2,175 students)

RPI vs. St Lawrence University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RPI or St Lawrence University?

  • St Lawrence University is 5.1% more expensive to attend than RPI for in-state tuition ($61,600.00 vs. $58,600.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5.1% higher at St Lawrence University than Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($61,600.00 vs. $58,600.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at St Lawrence University than RPI ($33,283 vs. $39,127)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St Lawrence University are 6.2% lower than costs at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($15,995 vs. $16,980)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at St Lawrence University than Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (98% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by St Lawrence University students is 14.1% larger than aid received Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($44,093 vs. $38,636)

RPI vs. St Lawrence University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RPI or St Lawrence University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between St Lawrence University or RPI .

  • Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at St Lawrence University (3.6)
  • RPI has a higher acceptance rate (64.5%) than St Lawrence University (63.5%)

RPI vs. St Lawrence University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, RPI or St Lawrence University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between St Lawrence University and RPI.

  • The graduation rate at RPI is higher than St Lawrence University (84% vs. 80%)
  • Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn on average $29,400 more per year than St Lawrence University graduates after ten years. ($82,500 vs. $53,100)
  • St Lawrence University students graduate with a $500 lower median federal student loan debt than RPI graduates. ($27,000 vs. $27,500)
  • St Lawrence University graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than RPI graduates. ($279 vs. $284)
  • More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St Lawrence University students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 85%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/