RIT vs. Drexel

Comparable Facts

Compare Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY with Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Drexel University is larger than RIT based on total student enrollment (21,153 students vs. 17,098 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rochester Institute of Technology is located in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting); Drexel University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Rochester Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Drexel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rochester Institute of Technology 13:1; Drexel University 9:1.

RIT vs. Drexel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RIT or Drexel? 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 Rochester Institute of Technology than Drexel ($39,534 vs. $42,801).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rochester Institute of Technology are 10.8% lower than at Drexel University ($16,142 vs. $18,096).
• Drexel University is 5.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than RIT (about $3,138 more per year; $62,412.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.3% higher at Drexel than at Rochester Institute of Technology (about $3,138 more per year; $62,412.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drexel University than at Rochester Institute of Technology (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students is 0.1% larger than aid received by Drexel University students ($35,077 vs. $35,051).

RIT vs. Drexel Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RIT or Drexel? 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 Drexel and RIT .

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rochester Institute of Technology (1380) is 40 points higher than at Drexel (1340).
• Incoming RIT students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 29 at Drexel).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 1300/1460; Drexel University 1240/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 29/33; Drexel University 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RIT - Test optional; Drexel - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RIT Jan 15, 2027; Drexel Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RIT students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Drexel (3.67).
• Drexel has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than RIT (66.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.3% at RIT vs. 8.1% at Drexel.

RIT vs. Drexel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RIT and Drexel? 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).

• Drexel University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Rochester Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from Drexel University earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than RIT graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,400 vs. $64,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Drexel University graduates have a $1,757 lower median loan debt than RIT graduates ($26,243 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Drexel graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIT graduates ($271 vs. $289).
• More Drexel graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIT students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.