Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) vs Clarkson University

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and Clarkson University are two highly regarded institutions offering distinct educational experiences. RIT, located in Rochester, New York, is known for its strong focus on technology, engineering, and the arts, while Clarkson, situated in Potsdam, New York, excels in engineering, business, and the sciences. With acceptance rates of 77% and 72%, respectively, both universities welcome a diverse student body, with RIT's population being slightly larger and more international. While RIT boasts a higher graduation rate of 83%, Clarkson's smaller class sizes may provide a more personalized learning environment. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about the differences in popular majors, student demographics, and other key factors that can help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.

	Clarkson University	Rochester Institute of Technology
Overview
Location	Potsdam, New York	Rochester, New York
Campus setting	Town: Remote	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	80.0%	88.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	74.6%	71.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $50	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $65
SAT range	1180 - 1380	1270 - 1450
ACT range	25 - 32	28 - 33
Students submitting SAT score	51.0%	39.0%
Students submitting ACT score	11.0%	12.0%
Total number of applicants	7,011	21,923
Total number of admissions given out	5,229	15,645
Admitted students who chose to enroll	740	3,355
Yield rate	14.2%	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	$74,716	$69,232
Average net price	$31,413	$35,012
Tuition	$53,100	$52,030
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $8,726 Meal plan: $7,518	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)	100.0% Average amount $38,981	100.0% Average amount $31,960
Students receiving federal student loan	71.0% Average amount $5,323	62.0% Average amount $5,197
Students taking out private loans	16.0% Average amount $16,547	16.0% Average amount $19,624

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	2,852 Men 69.3% Women 30.7%	14,000 Men 66.5% Women 33.5%
Graduate students	1,101 Men 55.4% Women 44.6%	2,790 Men 62.1% Women 37.9%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	34.8%	53.2%
International students	8.6%	11.4%
Campus local/setting	Town: Remote	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	2,482	6,543
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	New York Mississippi Connecticut Vermont New Hampshire	New York Pennsylvania New Jersey Connecticut Maryland

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Engineering Technologies Health Professions Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences	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	75.6%	69.0%
Dropout rate	7.1%	29.1%
Transferred out	17.1%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $114,346 Year 2: $107,376 Year 3: $116,722 Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $96,757 Year 2: $95,295 Year 3: $105,649 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,495 Year 2: $78,074 Year 3: $94,384 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,482 Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $85,200 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $80,827 Year 2: $77,715 Year 3: $83,602 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,898 Year 2: $68,858 Year 3: $78,529 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $62,862 Year 2: $71,575 Year 3: $76,752 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,118 Year 2: $70,009 Year 3: $76,112 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $51,273 Year 3: $75,843 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,036 Year 2: $67,748 Year 3: $73,468	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 main differences between Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and Clarkson University?

RIT is a large, comprehensive technological university known for its career-focused education, co-op programs, and strong arts and design programs. Clarkson is a smaller, private university with a strong focus on engineering, business, science, and technology, emphasizing leadership development and entrepreneurial thinking. RIT is located in a suburban setting near Rochester, NY, while Clarkson is in a more rural setting in Potsdam, NY.
Which university is stronger in engineering programs?

Both RIT and Clarkson have excellent engineering programs. Clarkson is particularly renowned for its engineering programs, especially in fields like civil, environmental, and chemical engineering. RIT also has strong engineering programs, with a broader range of specializations, including microelectronic engineering and software engineering, and a greater emphasis on hands-on learning through co-ops.
How do the co-op/internship opportunities compare between RIT and Clarkson?

RIT is widely recognized for its extensive co-op program, requiring many students to complete multiple co-op experiences as part of their degree. This provides significant real-world work experience. Clarkson also offers internship and co-op opportunities, and emphasizes experiential learning, but the co-op program is not as deeply integrated into all curricula as it is at RIT.
Which university is better for students 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 and offers a wide range of programs, including graphic design, industrial design, photography, film and animation, and game design and development. Clarkson does not have a comparable art and design program.
How do the campus environments differ between RIT and Clarkson?

RIT has a larger, more diverse campus with a wider range of student activities and organizations. Its location near Rochester provides access to a larger city's cultural and entertainment options. Clarkson has a smaller, more close-knit campus community in a rural setting. The focus is more on campus-based activities and outdoor recreation.
What is the typical class size and student-to-faculty ratio at each university?

RIT generally has larger class sizes, especially in introductory courses, reflecting its larger student body. The student-to-faculty ratio is around 13:1. Clarkson typically has smaller class sizes, fostering more interaction between students and faculty. The student-to-faculty ratio is around 12:1.
How do the research opportunities compare between RIT and Clarkson?

Both RIT and Clarkson offer research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Clarkson has a strong research focus in areas related to engineering, science, and technology, often involving undergraduate students directly in research projects. RIT also has significant research activity, particularly in areas aligned with its technological strengths, and provides research opportunities through faculty-led projects and dedicated research centers.
Which university is more focused on entrepreneurship?

Both universities promote entrepreneurship, but Clarkson has a particularly strong emphasis on it. Clarkson offers programs and resources specifically designed to foster entrepreneurial thinking and skills, including business plan competitions and incubator programs. RIT also has entrepreneurial resources, but it is not as central to the university's overall identity as it is at Clarkson.
How do the costs of attending RIT and Clarkson compare?

The cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room, and board) is generally comparable between RIT and Clarkson. However, the actual cost can vary significantly depending on financial aid and scholarships. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date information on tuition and fees, and to explore available financial aid options.
What are the strengths of RIT's and Clarkson's business programs?

RIT's Saunders College of Business offers a broad range of business programs, including accounting, finance, marketing, and management, with a focus on technology and innovation. Clarkson's School of Business emphasizes leadership development, supply chain management, and innovation, preparing students for careers in a technology-driven business environment.
Which school is better for computer science?

Both RIT and Clarkson offer strong computer science programs. RIT's program is larger and offers more specializations, including game design and development, and cybersecurity. Clarkson's program is smaller and more focused, with strengths in areas like software engineering and data science. The 'better' choice depends on your specific interests within computer science.
How does campus life differ between RIT and Clarkson?

RIT's campus life is more diverse and offers a wider range of activities due to its larger student body. There are numerous clubs, organizations, and events catering to various interests. Clarkson's campus life is more tight-knit and community-oriented, with a strong emphasis on student involvement and leadership opportunities. The rural location encourages outdoor activities and a closer connection among students.

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