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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute vs Farmingdale State College

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private institute in Troy, NY, and Farmingdale State College is a public college in Farmingdale, NY. Both admit about 63% of applicants. Farmingdale State College is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $10,867 a year against $36,228 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. About 83% of students graduate at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, compared with 55% at Farmingdale State College. Ten years after enrolling, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute alumni earn a median of about $102,051, against $69,781 for Farmingdale State College.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY · Private

Farmingdale State College

Farmingdale, NY · Public
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Troy, NY
Farmingdale, NY
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
5,714
9,552
Acceptance rate
63%
63%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.59–4
3.45–3.95
SAT (middle 50%)
1375–1510
1040–1240
ACT (middle 50%)
30–34
20–28
Test policy
Considered
Considered
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$36,228
$10,867
Full cost / yr
$82,404
$18,966
In-state tuition
$64,081
$8,626
Out-of-state tuition
$64,081
$18,536
Application fee
$70
$50
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$24,078
$4,933
$30k - $48k
$26,289
$6,985
$48k - $75k
$28,212
$11,834
$75k - $110k
$36,230
$14,893
Over $110k
$42,541
$17,919
Outcomes
Graduation rate
83%
55%
Freshman retention
91%
82%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$83,054
$55,901
Median earnings (10 yr)
$102,051
$69,781
Median debt at graduation
$23,750
$14,718
Student body
Pell grant recipients
20%
36%
First-generation students
14%
40%
International students
7%
3%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1
Not reported
Early action
Dec 1
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 15
Rolling

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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Farmingdale State College harder to get into?
They are about equally selective: both admit around 63% of applicants. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Farmingdale State College?
Farmingdale State College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $10,867 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Farmingdale State College?
Before aid, Farmingdale State College costs about $18,966 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, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Farmingdale State College?
Farmingdale State College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $4,933 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, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Farmingdale State College?
Farmingdale State College is the larger of the two, with about 9,552 undergraduates against 5,714 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Does Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Farmingdale State College have a better graduation rate?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has the higher graduation rate, at about 83% against 55% at Farmingdale State College.
Do graduates of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Farmingdale State College earn more?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute alumni earn more on average: a median of about $102,051 ten years after enrolling, against about $69,781 for Farmingdale State College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Farmingdale State College require SAT or ACT scores?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them. Farmingdale State College considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them.
What SAT scores do Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Farmingdale State College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1375–1510 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and 1040–1240 at Farmingdale State College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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