Trinity College vs. RPI

Comparable Facts

Compare Trinity College in Hartford, CT with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than Trinity College based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 2,238 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Trinity College is located in Hartford, CT (Midsize City setting); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is in Troy, NY (Small City setting).
• Trinity College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Trinity College 9:1; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1.

Trinity College vs. RPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Trinity College or RPI? 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 Trinity College than RPI ($36,071 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are 4.1% lower than at Trinity College ($18,120 vs. $18,890).
• Trinity College is 10.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than RPI (about $6,689 more per year; $70,770.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.4% higher at Trinity College than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (about $6,689 more per year; $70,770.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at Trinity College (95% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Trinity College students is 18.9% larger than aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students ($51,754 vs. $43,517).

Trinity College vs. RPI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Trinity College or RPI? 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 RPI and Trinity College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 60 points higher than at Trinity College (1380).
• Incoming Trinity College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at RPI (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Trinity College 1298/1470; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Trinity College 30/34; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Trinity College - Test optional; RPI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Trinity College Jan 17, 2027; RPI Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Trinity College (3.8).
• RPI has a higher acceptance rate (63.5%) than Trinity College (29.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.8% at Trinity College vs. 12.1% at RPI.

Trinity College vs. RPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Trinity College and RPI? 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).

• Trinity College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's (84%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than Trinity College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $71,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Trinity College graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($21,000 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Trinity College graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($217 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Trinity College students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 81%)

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.