RIT vs. Jefferson

Comparable Facts

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

Rochester Institute of Technology is larger than Jefferson based on total student enrollment (17,098 students vs. 8,238 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rochester Institute of Technology is located in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting); Thomas Jefferson University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Rochester Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Jefferson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rochester Institute of Technology 13:1; Thomas Jefferson University 12:1.

RIT vs. Jefferson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RIT or Jefferson? 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 Thomas Jefferson University than RIT ($29,325 vs. $39,534).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Jefferson University are 1.9% lower than at Rochester Institute of Technology ($15,834 vs. $16,142).
• Rochester Institute of Technology is 24.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Jefferson (about $11,769 more per year; $59,274.00 vs. $47,505.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.8% higher at RIT than at Thomas Jefferson University (about $11,769 more per year; $59,274.00 vs. $47,505.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Jefferson University than at Rochester Institute of Technology (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students is 0.2% larger than aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students ($35,077 vs. $35,007).

RIT vs. Jefferson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rochester Institute of Technology (1380) is 130 points higher than at Jefferson (1250).
• Incoming RIT students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at Jefferson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 1300/1460; Thomas Jefferson University 1160/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 29/33; Thomas Jefferson University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RIT - Test optional; Jefferson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RIT Jan 15, 2027; Jefferson Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Jefferson students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at RIT (3.7).
• Jefferson has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than RIT (66.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.3% at RIT vs. 12.1% at Jefferson.

RIT vs. Jefferson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RIT and Jefferson? 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).

• Graduates from Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of about $58,000 more per year than RIT graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $64,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Jefferson University graduates have a $15,500 lower median loan debt than RIT graduates ($12,500 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Jefferson graduates have an estimated $160 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIT graduates ($129 vs. $289).
• More Jefferson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIT students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.