RIT vs. SUNY-ESF

Comparable Facts

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

Rochester Institute of Technology is larger than SUNY-ESF based on total student enrollment (17,098 students vs. 2,757 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rochester Institute of Technology is located in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting); SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is in Syracuse, NY (Midsize City setting).
• Rochester Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rochester Institute of Technology 13:1; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 14:1.

RIT vs. SUNY-ESF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RIT or SUNY-ESF? 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 College of Environmental Science and Forestry than RIT ($19,814 vs. $39,534).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rochester Institute of Technology are 10.7% lower than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry ($16,142 vs. $18,080).
• Rochester Institute of Technology is 537.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY-ESF (about $49,971 more per year; $59,274.00 vs. $9,303.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 166.2% higher at RIT than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (about $37,011 more per year; $59,274.00 vs. $22,263.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rochester Institute of Technology than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (98% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students is 303.2% larger than aid received by SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students ($35,077 vs. $8,699).

RIT vs. SUNY-ESF Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rochester Institute of Technology (1380) is 160 points higher than at SUNY-ESF (1220).
• Incoming RIT students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at SUNY-ESF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 1300/1460; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 1130/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 29/33; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RIT - Test optional; SUNY-ESF - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: RIT Jan 15, 2027; SUNY-ESF Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RIT students have the same average high school GPA (3.7) as students at SUNY-ESF (3.7).
• RIT has a higher acceptance rate (66.9%) than SUNY-ESF (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.3% at RIT vs. 17.6% at SUNY-ESF.

RIT vs. SUNY-ESF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RIT and SUNY-ESF? 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).

• SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Rochester Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from Rochester Institute of Technology earn a median of about $18,700 more per year than SUNY-ESF graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,900 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry graduates have a $8,250 lower median loan debt than RIT graduates ($19,750 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, SUNY-ESF graduates have an estimated $85 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIT graduates ($204 vs. $289).
• More SUNY-ESF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIT students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.