Wesleyan University vs. RPI

Should I go to Wesleyan University or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Wesleyan 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

RIT Stevens Binghamton University Northeastern U of R Lehigh MIT WPI Case Western Cornell SUNY Stony Brook Rose-Hulman
Wesleyan University vs. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute comparison
Wesleyan University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute College 3 College 4
Wesleyan University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Wesleyan University RPI
Location Middletown, CT Troy, NY
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 3,253 6,968
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #33 #110
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wesleyan.edu rpi.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Wesleyan University RPI
Tuition (In State) $63,722 $58,600
Tuition (Out of State) $63,722 $58,600
Room & Board $18,180 $16,980
Avg Net Price $21,270 $39,127
Avg Grant Aid $59,825 $38,636
% Receiving Grant Aid 44% 90%

Admission

 Wesleyan University RPI
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 14,521 16,863
Admitted 2,096 10,878
Acceptance Rate 14.4% 64.5%
Enrolled % 35.4% 18.4%
Avg High School GPA - 3.88
Typical High School Grades - A-
Admissions Standards Exceptional Exceptional
Applicant Competition Very High Low
ACT Range 31/34 30/34
SAT Range 1320/1510 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 Jan 1, 2025 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

 Wesleyan University RPI
Student to Faculty Ratio 7:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (24%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
  • Ethnic Studies (12%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Engineering (53%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (9%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (5%)
  • Architecture (5%)

Outcomes

 Wesleyan University RPI
Graduation Rate 92% 84%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $58,000 $82,500
Making Student Loan Payments 89% 92%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,500 $27,500
Median Loan Payment $180 $284

Diversity

 Wesleyan University RPI
% Men 46% 69%
% Women 54% 31%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 53% 59%
% Black 7% 3%
% Hispanic 11% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 7%
% International 9% 11%
% Unknown Race 5% 2%

Students

 Wesleyan University RPI
% In-State 8% 36%
% Out-of-State 80% 58%

Campus

 Wesleyan University RPI
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes 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 Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (6,968 students vs. 3,253 students)

Wesleyan University vs. RPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wesleyan University or RPI?

  • Wesleyan University is 8.7% more expensive to attend than RPI for in-state tuition ($63,722.00 vs. $58,600.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 8.7% higher at Wesleyan University than Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($63,722.00 vs. $58,600.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wesleyan University than RPI ($21,270 vs. $39,127)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are 7.1% lower than costs at Wesleyan University ($16,980 vs. $18,180)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than Wesleyan University (90% vs. 44%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wesleyan University students is 54.8% larger than aid received Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($59,825 vs. $38,636)

Wesleyan University vs. RPI Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • RPI has a higher acceptance rate (64.5%) than Wesleyan University (14.4%)

Wesleyan University vs. RPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Wesleyan 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 Wesleyan University.

  • The graduation rate at Wesleyan University is higher than Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (92% vs. 84%)
  • Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn on average $24,500 more per year than Wesleyan University graduates after ten years. ($82,500 vs. $58,000)
  • Wesleyan University students graduate with a $10,000 lower median federal student loan debt than RPI graduates. ($17,500 vs. $27,500)
  • Wesleyan University graduates are paying $104 less per month on federal student loans than RPI graduates. ($180 vs. $284)
  • More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 89%)

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