Michigan Tech vs. Ripon College

Comparable Facts

Compare Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI with Ripon College in Ripon, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Michigan Technological University is larger than Ripon College based on total student enrollment (7,403 students vs. 709 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Michigan Technological University is located in Houghton, MI (Remote Town setting); Ripon College is in Ripon, WI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Michigan Technological University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ripon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Michigan Technological University 13:1; Ripon College 12:1.

Michigan Tech vs. Ripon College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan Tech or Ripon College? 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 Michigan Technological University than Ripon College ($16,879 vs. $23,772).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ripon College are 17.2% lower than at Michigan Technological University ($10,800 vs. $13,050).
• Ripon College is 171.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan Tech (about $32,777 more per year; $51,900.00 vs. $19,123.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.7% higher at Ripon College than at Michigan Technological University (about $8,912 more per year; $51,900.00 vs. $42,988.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ripon College than at Michigan Technological University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ripon College students is 99.6% larger than aid received by Michigan Technological University students ($39,716 vs. $19,898).

Michigan Tech vs. Ripon College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Michigan Tech or Ripon College? 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 Ripon College and Michigan Tech.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan Technological University (1240) is 110 points higher than at Ripon College (1130).
• Incoming Michigan Tech students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at Ripon College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan Technological University 1130/1350; Ripon College 980/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan Technological University 25/31; Ripon College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan Tech - Test optional; Ripon College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Michigan Tech students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at Ripon College (3.41).
• Michigan Tech has a higher acceptance rate (92.4%) than Ripon College (79.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Michigan Tech vs. 10.9% at Ripon College.

Michigan Tech vs. Ripon College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan Tech and Ripon College? 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).

• Ripon College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Michigan Technological University's (65%).
• Graduates from Michigan Technological University earn a median of about $16,800 more per year than Ripon College graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,000 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan Technological University graduates have a $1,100 lower median loan debt than Ripon College graduates ($26,900 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Michigan Tech graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ripon College graduates ($278 vs. $289).
• More Michigan Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ripon College students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 77%)

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.