RIT vs. Oberlin

Comparable Facts

Compare Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY with Oberlin College in Oberlin, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rochester Institute of Technology is larger than Oberlin based on total student enrollment (17,098 students vs. 2,909 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rochester Institute of Technology is located in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting); Oberlin College is in Oberlin, OH (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Rochester Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Oberlin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rochester Institute of Technology 13:1; Oberlin College 9:1.

RIT vs. Oberlin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RIT or Oberlin? 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 Oberlin ($39,534 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rochester Institute of Technology are 17.3% lower than at Oberlin College ($16,142 vs. $19,510).
• Oberlin College is 13.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than RIT (about $8,092 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.7% higher at Oberlin than at Rochester Institute of Technology (about $8,092 more per year; $67,366.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Rochester Institute of Technology (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oberlin College students is 2% larger than aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students ($35,780 vs. $35,077).

RIT vs. Oberlin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oberlin College (1440) is 60 points higher than at RIT (1380).
• Incoming Oberlin students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at RIT ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 1300/1460; Oberlin College 1360/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 29/33; Oberlin College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RIT - Test optional; Oberlin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RIT Jan 15, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RIT students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Oberlin (3.67).
• RIT has a higher acceptance rate (66.9%) than Oberlin (34.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.3% at RIT vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

RIT vs. Oberlin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RIT and Oberlin? 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).

• Oberlin College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Rochester Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from Rochester Institute of Technology earn a median of about $21,000 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,900 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Oberlin College graduates have a $1,421 lower median loan debt than RIT graduates ($26,579 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Oberlin graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIT graduates ($274 vs. $289).
• More Oberlin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIT students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.