RIT vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pennsylvania is larger than RIT based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 17,098 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rochester Institute of Technology is located in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Rochester Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rochester Institute of Technology 13:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

RIT vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RIT or Penn? 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 University of Pennsylvania than RIT ($23,570 vs. $39,534).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rochester Institute of Technology are 15.8% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($16,142 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 15.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than RIT (about $9,412 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.9% higher at Penn than at Rochester Institute of Technology (about $9,412 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rochester Institute of Technology than at University of Pennsylvania (98% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 86.6% larger than aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students ($65,458 vs. $35,077).

RIT vs. Penn Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 160 points higher than at RIT (1380).
• Incoming Penn students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 31 at RIT ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 1300/1460; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 29/33; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RIT - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: RIT Jan 15, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at RIT (3.7).
• RIT has a higher acceptance rate (66.9%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.3% at RIT vs. 68% at Penn.

RIT vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RIT and Penn? 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).

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Rochester Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $58,700 more per year than RIT graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $64,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $7,367 lower median loan debt than RIT graduates ($20,633 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $76 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIT graduates ($213 vs. $289).
• More Penn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIT students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.