CUNY Queens College vs Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
CUNY Queens College is a public college in Queens, NY, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private institute in Troy, NY. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is the more selective of the two, admitting about 63% of applicants against 64% at CUNY Queens College. CUNY Queens College is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $4,195 a year against $36,228 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. About 83% of students graduate at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, compared with 56% at CUNY Queens College. Ten years after enrolling, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute alumni earn a median of about $102,051, against $62,763 for CUNY Queens College.
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Queens, NY
Troy, NY
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
12,550
5,714
Acceptance rate
64%
63%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.45–3.95
3.59–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1010–1290
1375–1510
ACT (middle 50%)
22–27
30–34
Test policy
Test optional
Considered
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$4,195
$36,228
Full cost / yr
$14,367
$82,404
In-state tuition
$7,538
$64,081
Out-of-state tuition
$15,488
$64,081
Application fee
$65
$70
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$1,541
$24,078
$30k - $48k
$3,133
$26,289
$48k - $75k
$6,785
$28,212
$75k - $110k
$9,110
$36,230
Over $110k
$12,700
$42,541
Outcomes
Graduation rate
56%
83%
Freshman retention
79%
91%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$48,548
$83,054
Median earnings (10 yr)
$62,763
$102,051
Median debt at graduation
$10,298
$23,750
Student body
Pell grant recipients
47%
20%
First-generation students
47%
14%
International students
7%
7%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Nov 1
Early action
Not reported
Dec 1
Regular decision
Rolling
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 CUNY Queens College or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute harder to get into?
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is harder to get into. It admits about 63% of applicants, compared with 64% at CUNY Queens College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, CUNY Queens College or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
- CUNY Queens College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $4,195 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 CUNY Queens College and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
- Before aid, CUNY Queens College costs about $14,367 a year and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute about $82,404. 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, CUNY Queens College or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
- CUNY Queens College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $1,541 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, CUNY Queens College or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
- CUNY Queens College is the larger of the two, with about 12,550 undergraduates against 5,714 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
- Does CUNY Queens College or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have a better graduation rate?
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has the higher graduation rate, at about 83% against 56% at CUNY Queens College.
- Do graduates of CUNY Queens College or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn more?
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute alumni earn more on average: a median of about $102,051 ten years after enrolling, against about $62,763 for CUNY Queens College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do CUNY Queens College and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute require SAT or ACT scores?
- CUNY Queens College 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 CUNY Queens College and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1010–1290 at CUNY Queens College and 1375–1510 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
CUNY Queens College vs Columbia University in the City of New YorkCUNY Queens College vs Binghamton UniversityCUNY Queens College vs University of RochesterRensselaer Polytechnic Institute vs Columbia University in the City of New YorkRensselaer Polytechnic Institute vs Binghamton UniversityRensselaer Polytechnic Institute vs University of Rochester
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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