RPI Troy vs Clarkson University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and Clarkson University, both located in upstate New York, offer distinct educational experiences for prospective students. RPI, a private research university, boasts a lower acceptance rate (29%) compared to Clarkson's (67%), indicating a more selective admissions process. RPI's student body is slightly larger, with an undergraduate population of over 4,000 students, while Clarkson's undergraduate enrollment is around 3,000. Both universities offer a wide range of academic programs, with popular majors at RPI including engineering, computer science, and business, while Clarkson is known for its strengths in engineering, business, and health sciences. RPI's graduation rate is slightly higher at 86% compared to Clarkson's 83%, suggesting a strong commitment to student success. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these aspects and more, allowing you
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![]() Clarkson University |
![]() Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
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Overview |
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Location | Potsdam, New York | Troy, New York |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 80.0% | 89.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 74.6% | 53.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
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Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$75
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SAT range | 1180 - 1380 | 1360 - 1520 |
ACT range | 25 - 32 | 32 - 34 |
Students submitting SAT score | 51.0% | 43.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 11.0% | 15.0% |
Total number of applicants | 7,011 | 17,498 |
Total number of admissions given out | 5,229 | 9,277 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 740 | 1,322 |
Yield rate | 14.2% | 14.3% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Required | Required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $74,716 | $77,763 |
Average net price | $31,413 | $40,070 |
Tuition | $53,100 | $57,100 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,726
Meal plan:
$7,518
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Room/dormitory:
$9,119
Meal plan:
$7,260
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $38,981 |
97.0%
Average amount $35,754 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
71.0%
Average amount $5,323 |
52.0%
Average amount $5,116 |
Students taking out private loans |
16.0%
Average amount $16,547 |
10.0%
Average amount $24,172 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,852
Men 69.3% Women 30.7% |
5,614
Men 69.0% Women 31.0% |
Graduate students |
1,101
Men 55.4% Women 44.6% |
1,160
Men 69.1% Women 30.9% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 34.8% | N/A |
International students | 8.6% | 19.5% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 2,482 | 3,930 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | Yes |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York Mississippi Connecticut Vermont New Hampshire | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 13:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 75.6% | 84.2% |
Dropout rate | 7.1% | 14.9% |
Transferred out | 17.1% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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