RIT vs. ONU

Comparable Facts

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

Rochester Institute of Technology is larger than ONU based on total student enrollment (17,098 students vs. 3,140 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rochester Institute of Technology is located in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting); Ohio Northern University is in Ada, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Rochester Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ohio Northern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rochester Institute of Technology 13:1; Ohio Northern University 13:1.

RIT vs. ONU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RIT or ONU? 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 Ohio Northern University than RIT ($25,941 vs. $39,534).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ohio Northern University are 9.5% lower than at Rochester Institute of Technology ($14,604 vs. $16,142).
• Rochester Institute of Technology is 48.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than ONU (about $19,474 more per year; $59,274.00 vs. $39,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.9% higher at RIT than at Ohio Northern University (about $19,474 more per year; $59,274.00 vs. $39,800.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rochester Institute of Technology than at Ohio Northern University (98% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students is 26.7% larger than aid received by Ohio Northern University students ($35,077 vs. $27,696).

RIT vs. ONU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rochester Institute of Technology (1380) is 90 points higher than at ONU (1290).
• Incoming RIT students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at ONU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 1300/1460; Ohio Northern University 1175/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 29/33; Ohio Northern University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RIT - Test optional; ONU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RIT Jan 15, 2027; ONU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ONU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at RIT (3.7).
• ONU has a higher acceptance rate (74.4%) than RIT (66.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.3% at RIT vs. 19.9% at ONU.

RIT vs. ONU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RIT and ONU? 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).

• Ohio Northern University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Rochester Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from Ohio Northern University earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than RIT graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,200 vs. $64,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ohio Northern University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than RIT graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, ONU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIT graduates ($279 vs. $289).
• More ONU 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.