EC vs. RPI

Elmira College and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Elmira College
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: RPI (63.5% admitted vs 77%). Typical SAT 1440 vs 1240.
  • Cheaper after aid: EC. Average net price is $23,682 vs $38,887 at RPI.
  • Graduation: EC 60% vs RPI 84%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: EC $46,000 vs RPI $82,500 (median).
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Key differences

Elmira College Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Acceptance rate
RPI more selective
EC77%
RPI63.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RPI higher
EC1090-1385
RPI1375-1510
Average net price
EC $15,205 less
EC$23,682
RPI$38,887
In-state tuition
EC $25,105 less
EC$38,976
RPI$64,081
Out-of-state tuition
EC $25,105 less
EC$38,976
RPI$64,081
Graduation rate
RPI +24 pts
EC60%
RPI84%
Median earnings (10 years)
RPI +$36,500
EC$46,000
RPI$82,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • EC 2,674
  • RPI 17,175
  • Admitted
  • EC 2,058
  • RPI 10,901
  • Acceptance rate
  • EC 77%
  • RPI 63.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • EC 12.3%
  • RPI 12.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • EC 1240
  • RPI 1440
  • Typical ACT score
  • EC 27
  • RPI 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • EC 3.22
  • RPI 3.88
  • Typical high school grades
  • EC B+
  • RPI A
  • Admissions standards
  • EC Difficult
  • RPI Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • EC
  • RPI Low
  • SAT range
  • EC 1090-1385
  • RPI 1375-1510
  • ACT range
  • EC 26-29
  • RPI 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • EC Test optional
  • RPI Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • EC
  • RPI Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • EC $38,976
  • RPI $64,081
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • EC $38,976
  • RPI $64,081
  • Room & board
  • EC $14,550
  • RPI $18,120
  • Average net price
  • EC $23,682
  • RPI $38,887
  • Average grant aid
  • EC $28,780
  • RPI $43,517
  • % receiving grant aid
  • EC 100%
  • RPI 95%
  • Graduation rate
  • EC 60%
  • RPI 84%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • EC $46,000
  • RPI $82,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • EC 72%
  • RPI 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • EC $27,000
  • RPI $27,500
  • Median loan payment
  • EC $279
  • RPI $284
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • EC 11:1
  • RPI 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • EC
    • Education (18%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • RPI
    • Engineering (53%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (9%)
    • Business (8%)
    • Engineering Technology (5%)
    • Architecture (5%)
  • Location
  • EC Elmira, NY
  • RPI Troy, NY
  • Setting
  • EC Small City
  • RPI Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • EC 786
  • RPI 7,040
  • Type
  • EC Private 4 Year
  • RPI Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • EC
  • RPI #130

Comparable Facts

Compare Elmira College in Elmira, NY with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than EC based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 786 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Elmira College is located in Elmira, NY (Small City setting); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is in Troy, NY (Small City setting).
  • Elmira College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Elmira College 11:1; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elmira College are 19.7% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($14,550 vs. $18,120).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 64.4% higher at RPI than at Elmira College (about $25,105 more per year; $64,081 vs. $38,976).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elmira College than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (100% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 51.2% larger than aid received by Elmira College students ($43,517 vs. $28,780).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at RPI than at EC (32 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both EC and RPI.
  • Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at RPI average a 3.88 high school GPA, 0.66 higher than at EC (3.22).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at EC vs. 12.1% at RPI.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Elmira College graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,500).
  • Among borrowers, EC graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($279 vs. $284).
  • More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EC students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 72%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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