RPI vs. SUNY Poly

Comparable Facts

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

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than SUNY Poly based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 2,733 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is located in Troy, NY (Small City setting); SUNY Polytechnic Institute is in Utica, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY Polytechnic Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1; SUNY Polytechnic Institute 13:1.

RPI vs. SUNY Poly Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RPI or SUNY Poly? 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 Polytechnic Institute than RPI ($14,782 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY Polytechnic Institute are 8.5% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($16,584 vs. $18,120).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 643% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Poly (about $55,456 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $8,625.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 202.1% higher at RPI than at SUNY Polytechnic Institute (about $42,866 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $21,215.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Polytechnic Institute than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 420.7% larger than aid received by SUNY Polytechnic Institute students ($43,517 vs. $8,357).

RPI vs. SUNY Poly Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 240 points higher than at SUNY Poly (1200).
• Incoming RPI students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 26 at SUNY Poly).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510; SUNY Polytechnic Institute 1025/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34; SUNY Polytechnic Institute 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RPI - Test optional; SUNY Poly - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027; SUNY Poly Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at SUNY Poly (3.7).
• SUNY Poly has a higher acceptance rate (81.3%) than RPI (63.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at RPI vs. 8.7% at SUNY Poly.

RPI vs. SUNY Poly Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RPI and SUNY Poly? 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 Polytechnic Institute's (47%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $29,300 more per year than SUNY Poly graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $53,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Polytechnic Institute graduates have a $10,915 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($16,585 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Poly graduates have an estimated $113 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($171 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Poly students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 63%)

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.