RPI vs. U of R

Comparable Facts

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

University of Rochester is larger than RPI based on total student enrollment (11,946 students vs. 7,040 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is located in Troy, NY (Small City setting); University of Rochester is in Rochester, NY (Midsize City setting).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Rochester is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1; University of Rochester 9:1.

RPI vs. U of R Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RPI or U of R? 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than U of R ($38,887 vs. $40,462).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are 8.4% lower than at University of Rochester ($18,120 vs. $19,792).
• University of Rochester is 4.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than RPI (about $2,999 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at U of R than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (about $2,999 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at University of Rochester (95% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Rochester students is 4.6% larger than aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students ($45,500 vs. $43,517).

RPI vs. U of R Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RPI or U of R? 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 U of R and RPI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Rochester (1480) is 40 points higher than at RPI (1440).
• Incoming RPI students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at U of R (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510; University of Rochester 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34; University of Rochester 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RPI - Test optional; U of R - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027; U of R Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at U of R (3.75).
• RPI has a higher acceptance rate (63.5%) than U of R (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at RPI vs. 15.4% at U of R.

RPI vs. U of R Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RPI and U of R? 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 of Rochester's (83%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than U of R graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $71,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Rochester graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($24,500 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, U of R graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($253 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of R students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 79%)

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.