RPI vs. F&M

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

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Franklin and Marshall College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: F&M (28.2% admitted vs 63.5%). Typical SAT 1390 vs 1440.
  • Cheaper after aid: RPI. Average net price is $38,887 vs $43,987 at F&M.
  • Graduation: RPI 84% vs F&M 85%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: RPI $82,500 vs F&M $61,900 (median).
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Key differences

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Franklin and Marshall College
Acceptance rate
F&M more selective
RPI63.5%
F&M28.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RPI higher
RPI1375-1510
F&M1310-1463
Average net price
RPI $5,100 less
RPI$38,887
F&M$43,987
In-state tuition
RPI $6,713 less
RPI$64,081
F&M$70,794
Out-of-state tuition
RPI $6,713 less
RPI$64,081
F&M$70,794
Graduation rate
F&M +1 pts
RPI84%
F&M85%
Median earnings (10 years)
RPI +$20,600
RPI$82,500
F&M$61,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • RPI 17,175
  • F&M 9,881
  • Admitted
  • RPI 10,901
  • F&M 2,785
  • Acceptance rate
  • RPI 63.5%
  • F&M 28.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • RPI 12.1%
  • F&M 17.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • RPI 1440
  • F&M 1390
  • Typical ACT score
  • RPI 32
  • F&M 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • RPI 3.88
  • F&M -
  • Typical high school grades
  • RPI A
  • F&M -
  • Admissions standards
  • RPI Exceptional
  • F&M Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • RPI Low
  • F&M High
  • SAT range
  • RPI 1375-1510
  • F&M 1310-1463
  • ACT range
  • RPI 30-34
  • F&M 30-33
  • Submit test scores
  • RPI Test optional
  • F&M Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • RPI Jan 15, 2027
  • F&M Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • RPI $64,081
  • F&M $70,794
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • RPI $64,081
  • F&M $70,794
  • Room & board
  • RPI $18,120
  • F&M $16,188
  • Average net price
  • RPI $38,887
  • F&M $43,987
  • Average grant aid
  • RPI $43,517
  • F&M $41,901
  • % receiving grant aid
  • RPI 95%
  • F&M 80%
  • Graduation rate
  • RPI 84%
  • F&M 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • RPI $82,500
  • F&M $61,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • RPI 92%
  • F&M 88%
  • Median student loan debt
  • RPI $27,500
  • F&M $22,000
  • Median loan payment
  • RPI $284
  • F&M $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • RPI 14:1
  • F&M 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • RPI
    • Engineering (53%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (9%)
    • Business (8%)
    • Engineering Technology (5%)
    • Architecture (5%)
  • F&M
    • Social Sciences (29%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • General Studies (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Location
  • RPI Troy, NY
  • F&M Lancaster, PA
  • Setting
  • RPI Small City
  • F&M Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • RPI 7,040
  • F&M 1,808
  • Type
  • RPI Private 4 Year
  • F&M Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • RPI #130
  • F&M #60

Comparable Facts

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

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than F&M based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 1,808 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is located in Troy, NY (Small City setting); Franklin and Marshall College is in Lancaster, PA (Small City setting).
  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Franklin and Marshall College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1; Franklin and Marshall College 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Franklin and Marshall College are 10.7% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($16,188 vs. $18,120).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 10.5% higher at F&M than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (about $6,713 more per year; $70,794 vs. $64,081).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at Franklin and Marshall College (95% vs. 80%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 3.9% larger than aid received by Franklin and Marshall College students ($43,517 vs. $41,901).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at RPI than at F&M (32 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both RPI and F&M.
  • Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027; F&M Jan 15, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at RPI vs. 17.1% at F&M.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin and Marshall College graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($22,000 vs. $27,500).
  • Among borrowers, F&M graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($227 vs. $284).
  • More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former F&M students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 88%).

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

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