RPI vs. SUNY Cortland

Comparable Facts

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

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than SUNY Cortland based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 6,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is located in Troy, NY (Small City setting); State University of New York at Cortland is in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. State University of New York at Cortland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1; State University of New York at Cortland 15:1.

RPI vs. SUNY Cortland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RPI or SUNY Cortland? 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 State University of New York at Cortland than RPI ($19,847 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at State University of New York at Cortland are 14.1% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($15,560 vs. $18,120).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 622.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Cortland (about $55,207 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $8,874.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 241.1% higher at RPI than at State University of New York at Cortland (about $45,297 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $18,784.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at State University of New York at Cortland (95% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 427.2% larger than aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students ($43,517 vs. $8,254).

RPI vs. SUNY Cortland Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RPI or SUNY Cortland? 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 SUNY Cortland and RPI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 270 points higher than at SUNY Cortland (1170).
• Incoming RPI students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 24 at SUNY Cortland).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510; State University of New York at Cortland 1090/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34; State University of New York at Cortland 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RPI - Test optional; SUNY Cortland - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at SUNY Cortland (3.7).
• RPI has a higher acceptance rate (63.5%) than SUNY Cortland (59.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at RPI vs. 13.3% at SUNY Cortland.

RPI vs. SUNY Cortland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RPI and SUNY Cortland? 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 State University of New York at Cortland's (67%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $35,200 more per year than SUNY Cortland graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $47,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, State University of New York at Cortland graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Cortland graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($222 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Cortland students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 75%)

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.