RPI vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

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

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 3,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

RPI vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RPI or Purchase 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 SUNY at Purchase College than RPI ($18,211 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 9.3% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($16,436 vs. $18,120).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 615.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $55,128 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 233.7% higher at RPI than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $44,878 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at SUNY at Purchase College (95% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 317.1% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($43,517 vs. $10,432).

RPI vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 160 points higher than at Purchase College (1280).
• Incoming RPI students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at Purchase College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RPI - Test optional; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027; Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than RPI (63.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at RPI vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

RPI vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RPI and Purchase 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 SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $42,300 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY at Purchase College graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Purchase College graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($232 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 65%)

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.