Columbia University in the City of New York vs Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private university in New York, NY, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private institute in Troy, NY. Columbia University in the City of New York is the more selective of the two, admitting about 4% of applicants against 63% at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Columbia University in the City of New York is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $21,590 a year against $36,228 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. About 96% of students graduate at Columbia University in the City of New York, compared with 83% at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Ten years after enrolling, Columbia University in the City of New York alumni earn a median of about $102,491, against $102,051 for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
New York, NY
Troy, NY
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
8,973
5,714
Acceptance rate
4%
63%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.55–4
3.59–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1510–1580
1375–1510
ACT (middle 50%)
34–35
30–34
Test policy
Test optional
Considered
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$21,590
$36,228
Full cost / yr
$89,472
$82,404
In-state tuition
$71,845
$64,081
Out-of-state tuition
$71,845
$64,081
Application fee
$85
$70
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$4,570
$24,078
$30k - $48k
$2,275
$26,289
$48k - $75k
$5,866
$28,212
$75k - $110k
$11,782
$36,230
Over $110k
$50,621
$42,541
Outcomes
Graduation rate
96%
83%
Freshman retention
98%
91%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$88,535
$83,054
Median earnings (10 yr)
$102,491
$102,051
Median debt at graduation
$21,500
$23,750
Student body
Pell grant recipients
23%
20%
First-generation students
25%
14%
International students
20%
7%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1
Nov 1
Early action
Not reported
Dec 1
Regular decision
Jan 1
Jan 15
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Columbia University in the City of New York or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute harder to get into?
- Columbia University in the City of New York is harder to get into. It admits about 4% of applicants, compared with 63% at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Columbia University in the City of New York or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
- Columbia University in the City of New York is cheaper on average. Students pay about $21,590 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $36,228 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Columbia University in the City of New York and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
- Before aid, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute costs about $82,404 a year and Columbia University in the City of New York about $89,472. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Columbia University in the City of New York or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
- Columbia University in the City of New York. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $4,570 there, against about $24,078 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Columbia University in the City of New York or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
- Columbia University in the City of New York is the larger of the two, with about 8,973 undergraduates against 5,714 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
- Does Columbia University in the City of New York or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have a better graduation rate?
- Columbia University in the City of New York has the higher graduation rate, at about 96% against 83% at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
- Do graduates of Columbia University in the City of New York or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn more?
- Columbia University in the City of New York alumni earn more on average: a median of about $102,491 ten years after enrolling, against about $102,051 for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Columbia University in the City of New York and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute require SAT or ACT scores?
- Columbia University in the City of New York is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them.
- What SAT scores do Columbia University in the City of New York and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1510–1580 at Columbia University in the City of New York and 1375–1510 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Columbia University in the City of New York vs Binghamton UniversityColumbia University in the City of New York vs University of RochesterColumbia University in the City of New York vs Marist UniversityRensselaer Polytechnic Institute vs Binghamton UniversityRensselaer Polytechnic Institute vs University of RochesterRensselaer Polytechnic Institute vs Marist University
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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