Head-to-Head Comparison
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute vs Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Wins
- 24
- Tied
- 20
- Rose-Hulman Technology Wins
- 10
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $36,228 vs Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's $42,513, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute'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
Rensselaer Polytechnic
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $102,051 ten years after enrollment, 1% more than Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
- Lower cost: Average net price of $36,228, roughly $6,285 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 83% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $23,750, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 63% 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?
Rensselaer Polytechnic graduates concentrate in Engineering (42% 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute over Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Median earnings of $102,051 ten years after enrollment vs $101,253.
Pick Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute over Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Net price $36,228 vs $42,513.
Pick Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute over Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. 83% completion rate vs 80%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology are close on paper, but Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 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
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is the harder admit. It takes 63% of applicants, while Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology takes 77%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,456 to 1,427.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 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, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $36,228, about $6,285 a year below Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's $42,513. Graduates of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute also borrow less: median debt of $23,750, against $25,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $25,140 before any change in aid. Choosing Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates report median earnings of $102,051, compared with $101,253 at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. That is a 1% advantage. Set against borrowing, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.23x to 0.25x.
So what: An earnings gap of 1% 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
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates a larger share of its students, 83% versus 80%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 3% 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 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. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 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
- Students who want a smaller campus: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's enrollment of 5,714 far exceeds Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's 2,309.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $42,513 runs well above Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's $36,228.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Rensselaer Polytechnic 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
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of about 5,700 students, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY, is a great fit for those looking to dive deep into STEM fields. With programs in Engineering, Computer Science, Business, and Mathematics, it attracts students who are serious about blending technical skills with practical applications. The acceptance rate of 63% means there's room for a diverse range of applicants, making it accessible without compromising on the quality of education.
After graduation, Rensselaer alumni can expect solid financial outcomes. With a ten-year earnings average of $102,051, students typically see a significant return on their investment in education. That’s a strong indicator of how well graduates navigate the workforce, especially in fields like engineering and tech, which are in high demand. This financial success is paired with a net price of $36,228 after aid, making it a reasonable choice for those who are willing to invest in their future.
When it comes to affordability, the median debt for graduates is $23,750, which is quite manageable given the earning potential. The 20% Pell Grant rate suggests that there's support for low-income students, but the school also attracts a mix of others who thrive on the collaborative and rigorous environment. If you're motivated, willing to engage deeply with your studies, and interested in a strong career trajectory, Rensselaer could be a great match for you.
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
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is featured on the Best Computer Science Colleges in New York ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Mechanical Engineering as their top enrolled program field, comprising 42% of Rensselaer Polytechnic's student body and 73% of Rose-Hulman Technology's.
Rensselaer Polytechnic
Rose-Hulman Technology
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Rensselaer Polytechnic) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Rose-Hulman Technology).
The two schools feed different job markets. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is strongest in Biology & Biomedical, while Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology concentrates in 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is harder to get into, admitting 63% of applicants compared with 77% at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
Which is more affordable, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is more affordable, with an average net price of $36,228 after aid versus $42,513 at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
Do Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more: median earnings of $102,051 ten years after enrollment, versus $101,253 at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
Which has a better graduation rate, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has the higher graduation rate, 83% versus 80%.
Should you choose Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 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.
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