RPI vs. Ursinus College

Comparable Facts

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

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than Ursinus College based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 1,502 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is located in Troy, NY (Small City setting); Ursinus College is in Collegeville, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ursinus College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1; Ursinus College 10:1.

RPI vs. Ursinus College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RPI or Ursinus 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 Ursinus College than RPI ($32,158 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ursinus College are 6% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($17,028 vs. $18,120).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 4.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ursinus College (about $2,871 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $61,210.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at RPI than at Ursinus College (about $2,871 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $61,210.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ursinus College than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ursinus College students is 2.8% larger than aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students ($44,754 vs. $43,517).

RPI vs. Ursinus College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 150 points higher than at Ursinus College (1290).
• Incoming RPI students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Ursinus College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510; Ursinus College 1200/1385.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34; Ursinus College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RPI - Test optional; Ursinus College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027; Ursinus College May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Ursinus College (3.53).
• Ursinus College has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than RPI (63.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at RPI vs. 12.5% at Ursinus College.

RPI vs. Ursinus College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RPI and Ursinus 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 Ursinus College's (80%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $24,500 more per year than Ursinus College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ursinus College graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Ursinus College graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($279 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ursinus College students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 83%)

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.