Head-to-Head Comparison
Johns Hopkins University vs Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
- Johns Hopkins Wins
- 27
- Tied
- 19
- Rose-Hulman Technology Wins
- 8
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Johns Hopkins University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $18,809 vs Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's $42,513, Johns Hopkins University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Johns Hopkins University's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Johns Hopkins
- Lower cost: Average net price of $18,809, roughly $23,704 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 94% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $10,250, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 6% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Rose-Hulman Technology
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $101,253 ten years after enrollment, 16% more than Johns Hopkins University
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Johns Hopkins graduates concentrate in Biology & Biomedical (23% 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 Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology over Johns Hopkins University. Median earnings of $101,253 ten years after enrollment vs $87,555.
Pick Johns Hopkins University over Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Net price $18,809 vs $42,513.
Pick Johns Hopkins University over Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. 94% completion rate vs 80%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Johns Hopkins University and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology are close on paper, but Johns Hopkins University wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Johns Hopkins University is the harder admit. It takes 6% of applicants, while Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology takes 77%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,553 to 1,427.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Johns Hopkins University 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, Johns Hopkins University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $18,809, about $23,704 a year below Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's $42,513. Graduates of Johns Hopkins University also borrow less: median debt of $10,250, against $25,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $94,816 before any change in aid. Choosing Johns Hopkins University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates report median earnings of $101,253, compared with $87,555 at Johns Hopkins University. That is a 16% advantage. Set against borrowing, Johns Hopkins University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.12x to 0.25x.
So what: An earnings gap of 16% 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
Johns Hopkins University graduates a larger share of its students, 94% versus 80%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 14% 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 Johns Hopkins University to keep costs and debt down; pick Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology for the higher earnings ceiling.
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
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Johns Hopkins University saves about $23,704 a year, yet Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates earn $13,698 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Johns Hopkins University concentrates enrollment in Biology & Biomedical, while Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology leans toward 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 Johns Hopkins University's enrollment, and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Johns Hopkins University's enrollment of 5,693 far exceeds Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's 2,309.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $42,513 runs well above Johns Hopkins University's $18,809.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,000, against $10,250 at Johns Hopkins University.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Johns Hopkins 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. Test scores matter less at Rose-Hulman Technology, where only about 26% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
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
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 6%, Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore is tailored for driven students who are ready to engage deeply in their education. The standout programs here include Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science and IT, Social Sciences, and Health Professions, making it a solid choice for those interested in health, technology, and scientific research. The school's tight-knit community of about 5,700 students fosters collaboration and a culture of inquiry, appealing to individuals who thrive in an intellectually stimulating environment.
After graduation, alumni see impressive earning potential, with a median income of $87,555 ten years post-degree. This figure reflects the value of a degree from Johns Hopkins in the job market, particularly in fields like engineering and health professions. While 19% of students receive Pell Grants, this indicates that the university is accessible to a range of economic backgrounds, allowing for a diverse student body to grow and succeed.
Looking at the financials, the net price after aid comes to about $18,809, which is quite manageable given the high graduation rate of 94%. With a median debt of $10,250, graduates leave with a reasonable financial burden, setting them up for success. Students who make the most of their time here are often those who are proactive, curious, and willing to seek out opportunities in research and internships, setting themselves up for fruitful careers ahead.
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
Johns Hopkins University is featured on the Best Online Colleges ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Johns Hopkins's top program is Biology (23% of enrollment), while Rose-Hulman Technology leads with Mechanical Engineering (73%).
Johns Hopkins
Rose-Hulman Technology
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Johns Hopkins) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Rose-Hulman Technology).
The two schools feed different job markets. Johns Hopkins University is strongest in Biology & Biomedical, Social Sciences, while Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology concentrates in 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 Johns Hopkins University or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology?
Johns Hopkins University is harder to get into, admitting 6% of applicants compared with 77% at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
Which is more affordable, Johns Hopkins University or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology?
Johns Hopkins University is more affordable, with an average net price of $18,809 after aid versus $42,513 at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
Do Johns Hopkins University or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates earn more: median earnings of $101,253 ten years after enrollment, versus $87,555 at Johns Hopkins University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Johns Hopkins University or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology?
Johns Hopkins University has the higher graduation rate, 94% versus 80%.
Should you choose Johns Hopkins University or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Johns Hopkins University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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