Washington College vs. RPI

Comparable Facts

Compare Washington College in Chestertown, MD 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 Washington College based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 923 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Washington College is located in Chestertown, MD (Distant Town setting); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is in Troy, NY (Small City setting).
• Washington College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Washington College 8:1; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1.

Washington College vs. RPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Washington 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 Washington College than RPI ($29,830 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are 0.7% lower than at Washington College ($18,120 vs. $18,250).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 15.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Washington College (about $8,755 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $55,326.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.8% higher at RPI than at Washington College (about $8,755 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $55,326.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington College than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 0.1% larger than aid received by Washington College students ($43,517 vs. $43,485).

Washington College vs. RPI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Washington 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 Washington College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 170 points higher than at Washington College (1270).
• Incoming RPI students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 29 at Washington College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington College 1140/1390; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington College 27/31; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Washington College - Test optional; RPI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Washington College Feb 15, 2027; RPI Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Washington College (3.71).
• RPI has a higher acceptance rate (63.5%) than Washington College (56.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Washington College vs. 12.1% at RPI.

Washington College vs. RPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Washington 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).

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than Washington College's (75%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $31,700 more per year than Washington College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $50,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington College graduates have a $3,250 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($24,250 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Washington College graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($250 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Washington College students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 85%)

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.