RPI vs. University at Albany- SUNY

Comparable Facts

Compare Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY with University at Albany in Albany, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University at Albany is larger than RPI based on total student enrollment (17,560 students vs. 7,040 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is located in Troy, NY (Small City setting); University at Albany is in Albany, NY (Small City setting).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University at Albany is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1; University at Albany 16:1.

RPI vs. University at Albany- SUNY Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RPI or University at Albany- SUNY? 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 University at Albany than RPI ($17,949 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University at Albany are 9.4% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($16,423 vs. $18,120).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 489.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than University at Albany- SUNY (about $53,215 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $10,866.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 105% higher at RPI than at University at Albany (about $32,825 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $31,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University at Albany than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (96% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 288.2% larger than aid received by University at Albany students ($43,517 vs. $11,210).

RPI vs. University at Albany- SUNY Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RPI or University at Albany- SUNY? 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 University at Albany- SUNY and RPI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 220 points higher than at University at Albany- SUNY (1220).
• Incoming RPI students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 26 at University at Albany- SUNY).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510; University at Albany 1120/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34; University at Albany 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RPI - Test optional; University at Albany- SUNY - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027; University at Albany- SUNY Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.58 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at University at Albany- SUNY (3.3).
• University at Albany- SUNY has a higher acceptance rate (69.1%) than RPI (63.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at RPI vs. 12.6% at University at Albany- SUNY.

RPI vs. University at Albany- SUNY Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RPI and University at Albany- SUNY? 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 University at Albany's (64%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $26,700 more per year than University at Albany- SUNY graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $55,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University at Albany graduates have a $6,435 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($21,065 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, University at Albany- SUNY graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($217 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University at Albany- SUNY students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 70%)

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.