Simmons University vs. RPI

Should I go to Simmons University or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Simmons University or RPI is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Simmons University vs. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute comparison
Simmons University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute College 3 College 4
Simmons University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
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Overview

 Simmons University RPI
Location Boston, MA Troy, NY
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 5,710 6,968
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #108 #110
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website simmons.edu rpi.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Simmons University RPI
Tuition (In State) $43,060 $58,600
Tuition (Out of State) $43,060 $58,600
Room & Board $16,368 $16,980
Avg Net Price $24,423 $39,127
Avg Grant Aid $36,606 $38,636
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 90%

Admission

 Simmons University RPI
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,001 16,863
Admitted 3,059 10,878
Acceptance Rate 76.5% 64.5%
Enrolled % 12.8% 18.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.87 3.88
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Very High Exceptional
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 28/32 30/34
SAT Range 1200/1390 1360/1520
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2025 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

 Simmons University RPI
Student to Faculty Ratio 7:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Business (6%)
  • Engineering (53%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (9%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (5%)
  • Architecture (5%)

Outcomes

 Simmons University RPI
Graduation Rate 69% 84%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $52,800 $82,500
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 92%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $27,500
Median Loan Payment $268 $284

Diversity

 Simmons University RPI
% Men 8% 69%
% Women 92% 31%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 67% 59%
% Black 7% 3%
% Hispanic 6% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 7%
% International 3% 11%
% Unknown Race 4% 2%

Students

 Simmons University RPI
% In-State 52% 36%
% Out-of-State 41% 58%

Campus

 Simmons University RPI
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than than Simmons University based on total student enrollment (6,968 students vs. 5,710 students)

Simmons University vs. RPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Simmons University or RPI?

  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 36.1% more expensive to attend than Simmons University for in-state tuition ($58,600.00 vs. $43,060.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 36.1% higher at RPI than Simmons University ($58,600.00 vs. $43,060.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Simmons University than RPI ($24,423 vs. $39,127)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simmons University are 3.7% lower than costs at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($16,368 vs. $16,980)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Simmons University than Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (100% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 5.5% larger than aid received Simmons University ($38,636 vs. $36,606)

Simmons University vs. RPI Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Simmons University or RPI? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between RPI or Simmons University .

  • The average SAT score at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1368) is 205 points higher than at Simmons University (1163)
  • Incoming RPI students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (30) than students at Simmons University (27)
  • Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Simmons University (3.87)
  • Simmons University has a higher acceptance rate (76.5%) than RPI (64.5%)

Simmons University vs. RPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Simmons University or RPI? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between RPI and Simmons University.

  • The graduation rate at RPI is higher than Simmons University (84% vs. 69%)
  • Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn on average $29,700 more per year than Simmons University graduates after ten years. ($82,500 vs. $52,800)
  • Simmons University students graduate with a $1,500 lower median federal student loan debt than RPI graduates. ($26,000 vs. $27,500)
  • Simmons University graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans than RPI graduates. ($268 vs. $284)
  • More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Simmons University students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 80%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/