RIT vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

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

Rochester Institute of Technology is larger than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (17,098 students vs. 3,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rochester Institute of Technology is located in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Rochester Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rochester Institute of Technology 13:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

RIT vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RIT or Purchase 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 SUNY at Purchase College than RIT ($18,211 vs. $39,534).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rochester Institute of Technology are 1.8% lower than at SUNY at Purchase College ($16,142 vs. $16,436).
• Rochester Institute of Technology is 562.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $50,321 more per year; $59,274.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 208.7% higher at RIT than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $40,071 more per year; $59,274.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rochester Institute of Technology than at SUNY at Purchase College (98% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students is 236.2% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($35,077 vs. $10,432).

RIT vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RIT or Purchase 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 Purchase College and RIT .

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rochester Institute of Technology (1380) is 100 points higher than at Purchase College (1280).
• Incoming RIT students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at Purchase College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 1300/1460; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 29/33; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RIT - Test optional; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RIT Jan 15, 2027; Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RIT students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than RIT (66.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.3% at RIT vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

RIT vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RIT and Purchase 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).

• Rochester Institute of Technology's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from Rochester Institute of Technology earn a median of about $24,700 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,900 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY at Purchase College graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than RIT graduates ($22,500 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Purchase College graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIT graduates ($232 vs. $289).
• More RIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 65%)

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.