RIT vs. SUNY Cortland

Comparable Facts

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

Rochester Institute of Technology is larger than SUNY Cortland based on total student enrollment (17,098 students vs. 6,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rochester Institute of Technology is located in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting); State University of New York at Cortland is in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Rochester Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. State University of New York at Cortland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rochester Institute of Technology 13:1; State University of New York at Cortland 15:1.

RIT vs. SUNY Cortland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RIT or SUNY Cortland? 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 State University of New York at Cortland than RIT ($19,847 vs. $39,534).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at State University of New York at Cortland are 3.6% lower than at Rochester Institute of Technology ($15,560 vs. $16,142).
• Rochester Institute of Technology is 568% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Cortland (about $50,400 more per year; $59,274.00 vs. $8,874.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 215.6% higher at RIT than at State University of New York at Cortland (about $40,490 more per year; $59,274.00 vs. $18,784.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rochester Institute of Technology than at State University of New York at Cortland (98% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students is 325% larger than aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students ($35,077 vs. $8,254).

RIT vs. SUNY Cortland Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rochester Institute of Technology (1380) is 210 points higher than at SUNY Cortland (1170).
• Incoming RIT students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 24 at SUNY Cortland).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 1300/1460; State University of New York at Cortland 1090/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 29/33; State University of New York at Cortland 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RIT - Test optional; SUNY Cortland - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: RIT Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RIT students have the same average high school GPA (3.7) as students at SUNY Cortland (3.7).
• RIT has a higher acceptance rate (66.9%) than SUNY Cortland (59.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.3% at RIT vs. 13.3% at SUNY Cortland.

RIT vs. SUNY Cortland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RIT and SUNY Cortland? 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).

• State University of New York at Cortland's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Rochester Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from Rochester Institute of Technology earn a median of about $17,600 more per year than SUNY Cortland graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,900 vs. $47,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, State University of New York at Cortland graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than RIT graduates ($21,500 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Cortland graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIT graduates ($222 vs. $289).
• More RIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Cortland students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.