Head-to-Head Comparison
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute vs University of San Francisco
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Wins
- 25
- Tied
- 10
- San Francisco Wins
- 19
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $36,228 vs University of San Francisco's $41,431, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. Students who choose Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $102,051 at ten years.
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, 14% more than University of San Francisco
- Lower cost: Average net price of $36,228, roughly $5,203 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 83% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 3%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #104
San Francisco
- Less debt: Median debt of $23,000, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Rensselaer Polytechnic graduates concentrate in Engineering (42% of degrees); San Francisco in Business & Marketing (18%). 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 University of San Francisco. Median earnings of $102,051 ten years after enrollment vs $89,812.
Pick Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute over University of San Francisco. Net price $36,228 vs $41,431.
Pick Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute over University of San Francisco. THE World Rank #104 vs #401-500.
Pick Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute over University of San Francisco. 3% mobility rate vs 2.7%.
Pick Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute over University of San Francisco. 83% completion rate vs 71%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and University of San Francisco are close on paper, but Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 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
University of San Francisco is the harder admit. It takes 62% of applicants, while Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute takes 63%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,456 to 1,295.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, University of San Francisco 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 $5,203 a year below University of San Francisco's $41,431. Graduates of University of San Francisco also borrow less: median debt of $23,000, against $23,750.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $20,812 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 $89,812 at University of San Francisco. That is a 14% advantage. Set against borrowing, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.23x to 0.26x.
So what: An earnings gap of 14% 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 71%. 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.
Moving people up
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 3%; at University of San Francisco, it is 2.7%. University of San Francisco also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5.9% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 4.7%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Research standing
In the Times Higher Education world table, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute sits higher, at #104 versus #401.
So what: Research rank matters most for students headed to graduate school or hoping to work in faculty labs. For undergraduates going straight into the job market, it is a weak predictor of earnings.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to keep costs and debt down.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
University of San Francisco is harder to get into, with a 62% admit rate, but Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute posts the higher mobility rate, at 3%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute concentrates enrollment in Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Biology & Biomedical, while University of San Francisco leans toward Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Business and consulting-track students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has less business program depth, and University of San Francisco offers the stronger options.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $41,431 runs well above Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's $36,228.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of University of San Francisco's enrollment, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is stronger here.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Rensselaer Polytechnic holds onto its admits more tightly: 12% of admitted students enroll, versus 6% at San Francisco — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Rensselaer Polytechnic (57.9% Early Decision admit rate vs 49.4%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice. Test scores matter less at San Francisco, where only about 42% 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.
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA · Private nonprofit
Students at the University of San Francisco can expect to earn an average of $89,812 within ten years of graduation. This strong earning potential reflects the university's focus on practical skills and career readiness. With an acceptance rate of 62%, the university maintains a balance of accessibility and selectivity.
The Chetty/Opportunity Insights data is not available for this institution, but the outcomes for graduates suggest a solid return on investment. The graduation rate stands at 71%, indicating that a significant majority of students complete their degrees. This completion rate, combined with the potential earnings, points to a pathway for upward mobility.
Tuition at the University of San Francisco has a net price of $41,431, which is a notable consideration for prospective students. Graduates carry a median debt of $23,000, which is relatively manageable compared to national averages. Students who thrive here often pursue programs in Business, Health Professions, and Social Sciences, aligning their education with market demand and job opportunities.
Rankings They Appear On
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and University of San Francisco appear together in 2 rankings. On the Highest-Paying Colleges for Visual, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ranks #5 — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute outranks University of San Francisco by 12 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Rensselaer Polytechnic's top program is Mechanical Engineering (42% of enrollment), while San Francisco leads with Business Administration (18%).
Rensselaer Polytechnic
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Rensselaer Polytechnic) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for San Francisco).
The two schools feed different job markets. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is strongest in Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Biology & Biomedical, Mathematics & Statistics, while University of San Francisco concentrates in Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Psychology, Social 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.
Rensselaer Polytechnic
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or University of San Francisco?
University of San Francisco is harder to get into, admitting 62% of applicants compared with 63% at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Which is more affordable, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or University of San Francisco?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is more affordable, with an average net price of $36,228 after aid versus $41,431 at University of San Francisco.
Do Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or University of San Francisco graduates earn more?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more: median earnings of $102,051 ten years after enrollment, versus $89,812 at University of San Francisco.
Which has a better graduation rate, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or University of San Francisco?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has the higher graduation rate, 83% versus 71%.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute vs University of San Francisco: which is better for social mobility?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 3% versus 2.7%.
Should you choose Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or University of San Francisco?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute if affordability and lower debt come first; choose University of San Francisco if you want the more selective, higher-stats peer group. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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