Emory vs. RPI

Deciding between Emory University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Emory University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Emory Atlanta, GA
  • RPI Troy, NY
  • Setting
  • Emory Large Suburban
  • RPI Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Emory 15,175
  • RPI 7,040
  • Type
  • Emory Private 4 Year
  • RPI Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Emory #28
  • RPI #130
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Emory United Methodist
  • RPI -
  • Status
  • Emory Non-profit
  • RPI Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Emory
  • RPI

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Emory $64,280
  • RPI $64,081
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Emory $64,280
  • RPI $64,081
  • Room & Board
  • Emory $20,220
  • RPI $18,120
  • Average Net Price
  • Emory $27,303
  • RPI $38,887
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Emory $56,319
  • RPI $43,517
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Emory 47%
  • RPI 95%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Emory 33,450
  • RPI 17,175
  • Admitted
  • Emory 3,562
  • RPI 10,901
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Emory 10.6%
  • RPI 63.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Emory 40.4%
  • RPI 12.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emory 1510
  • RPI 1440
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emory 33
  • RPI 32
  • Average High School GPA
  • Emory 3.8
  • RPI 3.88
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Emory A-
  • RPI A
  • Admissions Standards
  • Emory Elite
  • RPI Exceptional
  • Applicant Competition
  • Emory Very High
  • RPI Low
  • ACT Range
  • Emory 32/35
  • RPI 30/34
  • SAT Range
  • Emory 1470/1550
  • RPI 1375/1510
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Emory Test optional
  • RPI Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Emory Jan 1, 2027
  • RPI Jan 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Emory 10:1
  • RPI 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Emory
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (17%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • RPI
    • Engineering (53%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (9%)
    • Business (8%)
    • Engineering Technology (5%)
    • Architecture (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Emory 90%
  • RPI 84%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Emory $81,500
  • RPI $82,500
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Emory 80%
  • RPI 92%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Emory $17,233
  • RPI $27,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Emory $178
  • RPI $284

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Emory 39%
  • RPI 69%
  • % Women
  • Emory 61%
  • RPI 31%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Emory Very High
  • RPI High
  • HBCU
  • Emory No
  • RPI No
  • % White
  • Emory 41%
  • RPI 59%
  • % Asian
  • Emory 19%
  • RPI 10%
  • % Black
  • Emory 9%
  • RPI 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • Emory 8%
  • RPI 8%
  • % Native American
  • Emory 0%
  • RPI 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Emory 0%
  • RPI 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Emory 3%
  • RPI 7%
  • % International
  • Emory 17%
  • RPI 11%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Emory 3%
  • RPI 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Emory 15%
  • RPI 37%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Emory 64%
  • RPI 58%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Emory Yes
  • RPI Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Emory No
  • RPI Yes
  • Meal Plan
  • Emory Yes
  • RPI Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Emory Yes
  • RPI No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Emory Yes
  • RPI No

Comparable Facts

Compare Emory University in Atlanta, GA with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Emory University is larger than RPI based on total student enrollment (15,175 students vs. 7,040 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emory University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large Suburban setting); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is in Troy, NY (Small City setting).
  • Emory University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emory University 10:1; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1.

Emory vs. RPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emory 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 Emory University than RPI ($27,303 vs. $38,887).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are 10.4% lower than at Emory University ($18,120 vs. $20,220).
  • Emory University is 0.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than RPI (about $199 more per year; $64,280.00 vs. $64,081.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.3% higher at Emory than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (about $199 more per year; $64,280.00 vs. $64,081.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at Emory University (95% vs. 47%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Emory University students is 29.4% larger than aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students ($56,319 vs. $43,517).

Emory vs. RPI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Emory 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 Emory.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Emory University (1510) is 70 points higher than at RPI (1440).
  • Incoming Emory students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at RPI).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emory University 1470/1550; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emory University 32/35; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emory - Test optional; RPI - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emory Jan 1, 2027; RPI Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Emory (3.8).
  • RPI has a higher acceptance rate (63.5%) than Emory (10.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.4% at Emory vs. 12.1% at RPI.

Emory vs. RPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emory 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).

  • Emory University's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's (84%).
  • Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Emory graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $81,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emory University graduates have a $10,267 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($17,233 vs. $27,500).
  • Among borrowers, Emory graduates have an estimated $106 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($178 vs. $284).
  • More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emory students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 80%)

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.