Head-to-Head Comparison
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology vs Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Terre Haute, IN
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA
- Rose-Hulman Technology Wins
- 16
- Tied
- 11
- Saint Joseph's Wins
- 16
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology achieves a higher graduation rate (80% vs 79%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $42,513 compared to Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia's $29,689 for in-state paths. Students who choose Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $86,881 at ten years.
43 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Rose-Hulman Technology
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $101,253 ten years after enrollment, 17% more than Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
- Less debt: Median debt of $25,000, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 77% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Saint Joseph's
- Lower cost: Average net price of $29,689, roughly $12,824 a year less
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Rose-Hulman Technology graduates concentrate in Engineering (73% of degrees); Saint Joseph's in Business & Marketing (39%). 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 Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia. Median earnings of $101,253 ten years after enrollment vs $86,881.
Pick Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia over Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Net price $29,689 vs $42,513.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia are close on paper, but Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology 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
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is the harder admit. It takes 77% of applicants, while Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia takes 89%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,427 to 1,258.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology 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, Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $29,689, about $12,824 a year below Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's $42,513. Graduates of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology also borrow less: median debt of $25,000, against $25,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $51,296 before any change in aid. Choosing Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia 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 $86,881 at Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia. That is a 17% advantage. Set against borrowing, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.25x to 0.29x.
So what: An earnings gap of 17% 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.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia 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. Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia saves about $12,824 a year, yet Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates earn $14,372 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. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology concentrates enrollment in Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics, while Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia leans toward Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $42,513 runs well above Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia's $29,689.
- Business and consulting-track students: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology has less business program depth, and Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia offers the stronger options.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia's enrollment, and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia's enrollment of 4,948 far exceeds Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's 2,309.
Full Data Breakdown
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 3 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
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.
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of nearly 5,000 students, Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia is a welcoming space for those looking to balance solid academics with a vibrant campus life. The acceptance rate of 89% suggests that we can expect a diverse group of students, many of whom are drawn to popular programs in Business and Marketing, Health Professions, Biology, Education, and Social Sciences. This mix means you'll find a community where collaboration and support thrive, making it a good fit if you're looking to dive deep into any of these fields.
Looking ahead, graduates from Saint Joseph's can anticipate a promising financial future. On average, alumni earn about $86,881 a decade after completing their studies, which is a solid return on investment considering the cost of education. Affordability is also a key factor here; the net price after aid stands at $29,689, and while some students do take on debt, with a median of $25,500, the earnings potential can help ease that burden for many.
In practical terms, students who tend to thrive at Saint Joseph's often embrace the collaborative atmosphere and are eager to engage with the community. The university supports a range of financial aid options, though it's worth noting that only 20% of students receive Pell Grants, meaning there’s a diverse economic mix on campus. This environment can be especially beneficial for those who are proactive about their education and seek to leverage the school's resources to create their own opportunities.
Rankings They Appear On
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia appear together in 2 rankings. On the Highest-Paying Online Bachelor's Programs, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology ranks #13 — Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology outranks Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia by 22 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Rose-Hulman Technology's top program is Mechanical Engineering (73% of enrollment), while Saint Joseph's leads with Business Administration (39%).
Rose-Hulman Technology
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Rose-Hulman Technology) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Saint Joseph's).
The two schools feed different job markets. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is strongest in Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics, Physical Sciences, while Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia concentrates in Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology. 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.
Rose-Hulman Technology
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology or Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia?
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is harder to get into, admitting 77% of applicants compared with 89% at Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia.
Which is more affordable, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology or Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia?
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia is more affordable, with an average net price of $29,689 after aid versus $42,513 at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
Do Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology or Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia graduates earn more?
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates earn more: median earnings of $101,253 ten years after enrollment, versus $86,881 at Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia.
Which has a better graduation rate, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology or Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia?
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, 80% versus 79%.
Should you choose Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology or Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia 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.
More Comparisons
View all →Weigh Your Options
Best Colleges in America
How do Rose-Hulman Technology and Saint Joseph's 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.
