Staten Island vs. RPI

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Staten Island CUNY in Staten Island, NY with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

College of Staten Island CUNY is larger than RPI based on total student enrollment (11,033 students vs. 7,040 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Staten Island CUNY is located in Staten Island, NY (Large City setting); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is in Troy, NY (Small City setting).
• College of Staten Island CUNY is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Staten Island CUNY 17:1; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1.

Staten Island vs. RPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Staten Island or RPI? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at College of Staten Island CUNY than RPI ($6,525 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are 14.3% lower than at College of Staten Island CUNY ($18,120 vs. $21,155).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 755.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Staten Island (about $56,591 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $7,490.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 315% higher at RPI than at College of Staten Island CUNY (about $48,641 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $15,440.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at College of Staten Island CUNY (95% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 410.4% larger than aid received by College of Staten Island CUNY students ($43,517 vs. $8,526).

Staten Island vs. RPI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Staten Island or RPI? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between RPI and Staten Island.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 370 points higher than at Staten Island (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Staten Island CUNY 890/1250; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsRensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Staten Island - Test optional; RPI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.88 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Staten Island (3.0).
• Staten Island has a higher acceptance rate (92.3%) than RPI (63.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17% at Staten Island vs. 12.1% at RPI.

Staten Island vs. RPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Staten Island and RPI? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than College of Staten Island CUNY's (48%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $37,400 more per year than Staten Island graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $45,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Staten Island CUNY graduates have a $13,513 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($13,987 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Staten Island graduates have an estimated $140 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($144 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Staten Island students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 49%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.