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CUNY York College vs Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

CUNY York College is a public college in Jamaica, NY. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private institute in Troy, NY. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute admits about 63% of applicants and CUNY York College about 64%, making Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $4,456 a year at CUNY York College after aid, and about $36,228 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. About 83% of students graduate at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, compared with 31% at CUNY York College. Ten years after enrolling, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute alumni earn a median of about $102,051, against $56,945 for CUNY York College.

CUNY York College

Jamaica, NY · Public

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY · Private
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Jamaica, NY
Troy, NY
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
4,345
5,714
Acceptance rate
64%
63%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.29–3.79
3.59–4
SAT (middle 50%)
790–960
1375–1510
ACT (middle 50%)
Not reported
30–34
Test policy
Test optional
Considered
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$4,456
$36,228
Full cost / yr
$14,330
$82,404
In-state tuition
$7,358
$64,081
Out-of-state tuition
$15,308
$64,081
Application fee
$65
$70
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$2,861
$24,078
$30k - $48k
$4,161
$26,289
$48k - $75k
$7,426
$28,212
$75k - $110k
$9,383
$36,230
Over $110k
$12,520
$42,541
Outcomes
Graduation rate
31%
83%
Freshman retention
57%
91%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$46,148
$83,054
Median earnings (10 yr)
$56,945
$102,051
Median debt at graduation
$11,000
$23,750
Student body
Pell grant recipients
40%
20%
First-generation students
50%
14%
International students
5%
7%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Nov 1
Early action
Not reported
Dec 1
Regular decision
Nov 30
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.

Frequently asked questions
Is CUNY York 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 York 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 York College or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
CUNY York College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $4,456 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 York College and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Before aid, CUNY York College costs about $14,330 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 York College or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
CUNY York College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $2,861 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 York College or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is the larger of the two, with about 5,714 undergraduates against 4,345 at CUNY York College.
Does CUNY York College or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have a better graduation rate?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has the higher graduation rate, at about 83% against 31% at CUNY York College.
Do graduates of CUNY York 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 $56,945 for CUNY York College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do CUNY York College and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute require SAT or ACT scores?
CUNY York 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 York College and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 790–960 at CUNY York College and 1375–1510 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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