RIT vs. Syracuse

Comparable Facts

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

Syracuse University is larger than RIT based on total student enrollment (22,589 students vs. 17,098 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rochester Institute of Technology is located in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting); Syracuse University is in Syracuse, NY (Midsize City setting).
• Rochester Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Syracuse University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rochester Institute of Technology 13:1; Syracuse University 15:1.

RIT vs. Syracuse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RIT or Syracuse? 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 Rochester Institute of Technology than Syracuse ($39,534 vs. $48,215).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rochester Institute of Technology are 15.9% lower than at Syracuse University ($16,142 vs. $19,188).
• Syracuse University is 10.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than RIT (about $6,254 more per year; $65,528.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.6% higher at Syracuse than at Rochester Institute of Technology (about $6,254 more per year; $65,528.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rochester Institute of Technology than at Syracuse University (98% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Syracuse University students is 3.8% larger than aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students ($36,417 vs. $35,077).

RIT vs. Syracuse Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rochester Institute of Technology (1380) is 20 points higher than at Syracuse (1360).
• Incoming RIT students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Syracuse).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 1300/1460; Syracuse University 1270/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 29/33; Syracuse University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RIT - Test optional; Syracuse - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RIT Jan 15, 2027; Syracuse Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RIT students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Syracuse (3.69).
• RIT has a higher acceptance rate (66.9%) than Syracuse (45.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.3% at RIT vs. 18.8% at Syracuse.

RIT vs. Syracuse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RIT and Syracuse? 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).

• Syracuse University's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Rochester Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from Syracuse University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than RIT graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,900 vs. $64,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Syracuse University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than RIT graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Syracuse graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIT graduates ($279 vs. $289).
• More Syracuse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIT students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.