Head-to-Head Comparison
Babson College vs Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
- Babson Wins
- 30
- Tied
- 15
- Rose-Hulman Technology Wins
- 5
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Babson College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $40,514 vs Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's $42,513, Babson College delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Babson College's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
50 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Babson
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $123,938 ten years after enrollment, 22% more than Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
- Lower cost: Average net price of $40,514, roughly $1,999 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 93% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $20,000, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 17% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Rose-Hulman Technology
No clear advantage detected in core metrics.
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Babson graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (100% of degrees); Rose-Hulman Technology in Engineering (73%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Babson College over Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Median earnings of $123,938 ten years after enrollment vs $101,253.
Pick Babson College over Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Net price $40,514 vs $42,513.
Pick Babson College over Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. 93% completion rate vs 80%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Babson College and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology are close on paper, but Babson College wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Babson College is the harder admit. It takes 17% of applicants, while Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology takes 77%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,457 to 1,427.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Babson College sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Babson College comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $40,514, about $1,999 a year below Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's $42,513. Graduates of Babson College also borrow less: median debt of $20,000, against $25,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $7,996 before any change in aid. Choosing Babson College leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Babson College graduates report median earnings of $123,938, compared with $101,253 at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. That is a 22% advantage. Set against borrowing, Babson College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.16x to 0.25x.
So what: An earnings gap of 22% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Babson College graduates a larger share of its students, 93% versus 80%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 13% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Babson College to keep costs and debt down.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
Their academic identities diverge. Babson College concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, while Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology leans toward Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Babson College's enrollment, and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is stronger here.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,000, against $20,000 at Babson College.
- Business and consulting-track students: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology has less business program depth, and Babson College offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Babson offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Rose-Hulman Technology does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Babson College
Wellesley, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 17%, Babson College is a strong fit for students who are serious about pursuing a career in business and marketing. The intimate campus environment, home to around 2,728 students, fosters collaboration and networking among peers. Here, you’ll dive deep into practical studies that prepare you for real-world challenges, focusing on business principles and marketing strategies.
When we look at life after graduation, the numbers are promising. Graduates from Babson earn an impressive average of $123,938 within ten years of completing their degree. This figure reflects the college's focus on preparing students for high-earning roles in the competitive business landscape. It's worth noting that while the median debt stands at $20,000, this is manageable for the financial trajectory many graduates experience.
Cost is a crucial factor in choosing a college, and Babson's net price after aid is $40,514. This amount may seem high, but when considering the strong earning potential and the career opportunities that arise from a Babson education, many find it to be a worthwhile investment. Students who thrive here tend to be ambitious, driven, and ready to take on challenges in the business world.
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Terre Haute, IN · Private nonprofit
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates earn an impressive average of $101,253 within ten years of completing their degree. This strong earning potential highlights the value of a degree from this private nonprofit institution, with a focus on engineering and technical disciplines.
The Chetty/Opportunity Insights data is not available for Rose-Hulman, making it challenging to assess economic mobility comprehensively. However, the school's 80% graduation rate suggests that most students are successfully completing their programs. This retention rate is crucial for students considering their long-term career prospects and financial outcomes.
Students at Rose-Hulman face a net price of $42,513, with a median debt of $25,000 upon graduation. Despite the cost, the earnings potential can make this investment worthwhile. Those who thrive here typically have a strong interest in STEM fields, as the top programs are concentrated in engineering, computer science, mathematics, and the sciences.
Rankings They Appear On
Babson College is featured on the Highest-Paying Colleges for Business ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Babson's top program is Business Administration (100% of enrollment), while Rose-Hulman Technology leads with Mechanical Engineering (73%).
Babson
Rose-Hulman Technology
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Babson) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Rose-Hulman Technology).
The two schools feed different job markets. Babson College is strongest in Business & Marketing, while Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology concentrates in Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics, Physical Sciences. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Babson College or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology?
Babson College is harder to get into, admitting 17% of applicants compared with 77% at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
Which is more affordable, Babson College or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology?
Babson College is more affordable, with an average net price of $40,514 after aid versus $42,513 at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
Do Babson College or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Babson College graduates earn more: median earnings of $123,938 ten years after enrollment, versus $101,253 at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
Which has a better graduation rate, Babson College or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology?
Babson College has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 80%.
Should you choose Babson College or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Babson College if affordability and lower debt come first. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
More Comparisons
View all →Weigh Your Options
Best Colleges in America
How do Babson and Rose-Hulman Technology stack up against regional and national alternatives when evaluated on pure socioeconomic mobility, graduate earnings, and long-term return on investment? Explore the full, verified dataset on our comprehensive rankings directory.
