RIT vs. University at Albany- SUNY

Comparable Facts

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

University at Albany is larger than RIT based on total student enrollment (17,560 students vs. 17,098 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rochester Institute of Technology is located in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting); University at Albany is in Albany, NY (Small City setting).
• Rochester Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University at Albany is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rochester Institute of Technology 13:1; University at Albany 16:1.

RIT vs. University at Albany- SUNY Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RIT or University at Albany- SUNY? 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 University at Albany than RIT ($17,949 vs. $39,534).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rochester Institute of Technology are 1.7% lower than at University at Albany ($16,142 vs. $16,423).
• Rochester Institute of Technology is 445.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than University at Albany- SUNY (about $48,408 more per year; $59,274.00 vs. $10,866.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 89.6% higher at RIT than at University at Albany (about $28,018 more per year; $59,274.00 vs. $31,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rochester Institute of Technology than at University at Albany (98% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students is 212.9% larger than aid received by University at Albany students ($35,077 vs. $11,210).

RIT vs. University at Albany- SUNY Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RIT or University at Albany- SUNY? 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 University at Albany- SUNY and RIT .

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rochester Institute of Technology (1380) is 160 points higher than at University at Albany- SUNY (1220).
• Incoming RIT students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at University at Albany- SUNY).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 1300/1460; University at Albany 1120/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 29/33; University at Albany 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RIT - Test optional; University at Albany- SUNY - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RIT Jan 15, 2027; University at Albany- SUNY Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RIT students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at University at Albany- SUNY (3.3).
• University at Albany- SUNY has a higher acceptance rate (69.1%) than RIT (66.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.3% at RIT vs. 12.6% at University at Albany- SUNY.

RIT vs. University at Albany- SUNY Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RIT and University at Albany- SUNY? 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).

• The graduation rate at RIT is the same as at University at Albany (64% vs. 64%).
• Graduates from Rochester Institute of Technology earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than University at Albany- SUNY graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,900 vs. $55,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University at Albany graduates have a $6,935 lower median loan debt than RIT graduates ($21,065 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, University at Albany- SUNY graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIT graduates ($217 vs. $289).
• More RIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University at Albany- SUNY students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 70%)

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.