RIT vs. Union College

Comparable Facts

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

Rochester Institute of Technology is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (17,098 students vs. 2,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rochester Institute of Technology is located in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting); Union College is in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting).
• Rochester Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rochester Institute of Technology 13:1; Union College 9:1.

RIT vs. Union College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RIT or Union 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 Rochester Institute of Technology than Union College ($39,534 vs. $42,137).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rochester Institute of Technology are 5.1% lower than at Union College ($16,142 vs. $17,010).
• Union College is 16.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than RIT (about $9,765 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.5% higher at Union College than at Rochester Institute of Technology (about $9,765 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rochester Institute of Technology than at Union College (98% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union College students is 21.3% larger than aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students ($42,534 vs. $35,077).

RIT vs. Union College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Union College (1400) is 20 points higher than at RIT (1380).
• Incoming RIT students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at Union College (31).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 1300/1460; Union College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 29/33; Union College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RIT - Test optional; Union College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RIT Jan 15, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RIT students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Union College (3.5).
• RIT has a higher acceptance rate (66.9%) than Union College (43.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.3% at RIT vs. 13.9% at Union College.

RIT vs. Union College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RIT and Union 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).

• Union College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Rochester Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from Union College earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than RIT graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,200 vs. $64,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Union College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than RIT graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Union College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIT graduates ($279 vs. $289).
• More Union College 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.