RPI Troy vs Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) are two highly regarded universities in New York State, each offering a unique educational experience. RPI, located in Troy, is known for its strong engineering and science programs, while RIT, situated in Rochester, excels in technology, art, and design. With acceptance rates of 33% and 78%, respectively, RPI is more selective in its admissions process. RPI's student body is predominantly male (63%), while RIT's is more evenly distributed (52% male, 48% female). Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with popular majors at RPI including engineering, computer science, and management, and popular majors at RIT including engineering, computer science, and art and design. RPI boasts a slightly higher graduation rate (84%) compared to RIT's 79%. To help you make an informed decision about your higher education journey,

	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute	Rochester Institute of Technology
Overview
Location	Troy, New York	Rochester, New York
Campus setting	City: Small	Suburb: Large
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	89.0%	88.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	53.0%	71.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $65
SAT range	1360 - 1520	1270 - 1450
ACT range	32 - 34	28 - 33
Students submitting SAT score	43.0%	39.0%
Students submitting ACT score	15.0%	12.0%
Total number of applicants	17,498	21,923
Total number of admissions given out	9,277	15,645
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,322	3,355
Yield rate	14.3%	21.4%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$77,763	$69,232
Average net price	$40,070	$35,012
Tuition	$57,100	$52,030
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,119 Meal plan: $7,260	Room/dormitory: $8,392 Meal plan: $7,000
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	97.0% Average amount $35,754	100.0% Average amount $31,960
Students receiving federal student loan	52.0% Average amount $5,116	62.0% Average amount $5,197
Students taking out private loans	10.0% Average amount $24,172	16.0% Average amount $19,624

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	5,614 Men 69.0% Women 31.0%	14,000 Men 66.5% Women 33.5%
Graduate students	1,160 Men 69.1% Women 30.9%	2,790 Men 62.1% Women 37.9%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	53.2%
International students	19.5%	11.4%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	3,930	6,543
First year students are required to live on campus?	Yes	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	New York Pennsylvania New Jersey Connecticut Maryland

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Computer and Information Science Business Mathematics and Statistics Physical Science	Computer and Information Science Engineering Visual & Performing Arts Engineering Technologies Business
Students to faculty ratio	13:1	13:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	84.2%	69.0%
Dropout rate	14.9%	29.1%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $112,746 Year 2: $119,061 Year 3: $127,865 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $83,880 Year 2: $92,277 Year 3: $111,450 Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $76,042 Year 2: $88,933 Year 3: $99,954 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $71,265 Year 2: $87,973 Year 3: $94,503 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $71,333 Year 2: $79,284 Year 3: $93,665 Applied Mathematics (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $81,333 Year 3: $90,716 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,826 Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $88,913 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $80,471 Year 2: $81,702 Year 3: $85,953 Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,066 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $84,973 Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,458 Year 2: $77,213 Year 3: $84,039	Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $80,382 Year 2: $89,006 Year 3: $104,341 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $99,806 Year 2: $98,137 Year 3: $98,068 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $84,771 Year 2: $84,653 Year 3: $93,116 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $77,470 Year 2: $79,389 Year 3: $92,303 Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,401 Year 2: $72,901 Year 3: $87,280 Industrial Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $76,111 Year 2: $74,576 Year 3: $85,564 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $56,226 Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $82,398 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $79,931 Year 2: $75,623 Year 3: $81,980 Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,306 Year 2: $68,219 Year 3: $79,663 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,256 Year 2: $71,351 Year 3: $79,347

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary academic strengths of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)?

RPI excels in engineering, computer science, and architecture, with a strong emphasis on research and a traditional, rigorous academic environment. RIT is renowned for its applied sciences, engineering, and art and design programs. It is also known for its co-op program, providing students with extensive practical experience.
How does the research focus differ between RPI and RIT?

RPI has a strong research focus, particularly in areas like nanotechnology, biotechnology, and advanced materials. RIT's research is more applied and industry-focused, with strengths in areas such as imaging science, cybersecurity, and sustainability, often collaborating directly with companies.
What is the typical student experience like at RPI versus RIT?

RPI offers a more traditional college experience with a strong emphasis on academics and a close-knit community. RIT provides a more diverse and hands-on experience, with a large student body, a vibrant campus life, and a strong emphasis on career preparation through its co-op program.
How do the campus cultures compare at RPI and RIT?

RPI's campus culture is often described as academically driven and focused on STEM fields. RIT has a more diverse and inclusive campus culture, with a strong emphasis on creativity, innovation, and practical application of knowledge. RIT also has a significant deaf and hard-of-hearing student population, fostering a unique and inclusive environment.
What are the key differences in the co-op and internship opportunities at RPI and RIT?

RIT is widely recognized for its extensive co-op program, which is integrated into the curriculum and provides students with significant paid work experience. RPI also offers internship opportunities, but they are not as deeply integrated into the curriculum as at RIT. RIT's co-op program is a major differentiator, providing students with a significant advantage in the job market.
How do the locations of RPI and RIT impact the student experience?

RPI is located in Troy, New York, a smaller city with a more traditional college-town feel. RIT is located in Rochester, New York, a larger city with more diverse cultural and recreational opportunities. Both cities offer access to various industries and potential job markets.
What are the tuition and financial aid considerations for RPI and RIT?

Tuition costs are generally comparable between RPI and RIT. Both universities offer financial aid packages, including scholarships, grants, and loans. It's recommended to check the specific financial aid information on each university's website for the most up-to-date details and to compare your individual financial aid offers.
Which university is better for someone interested in art and design?

RIT is the clear choice for students interested in art and design. RIT's College of Art and Design is highly regarded, offering a wide range of programs and resources. While RPI offers architecture, RIT's breadth and depth in art and design are significantly greater.
How do the alumni networks of RPI and RIT compare?

Both RPI and RIT have strong alumni networks. RPI's alumni network is particularly strong in engineering and technology fields. RIT's alumni network is also robust, with a focus on applied sciences, engineering, and art and design, and is well-connected to industry partners through its co-op program.
What are the typical class sizes at RPI and RIT?

Both RPI and RIT offer a mix of class sizes. You can expect smaller class sizes in upper-level courses and larger introductory lectures. However, RIT generally has a slightly larger student body, which may result in slightly larger average class sizes overall, particularly in introductory courses.

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