RPI vs. Lafayette College

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

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Lafayette College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Lafayette College (31.4% admitted vs 63.5%). Typical SAT 1430 vs 1440.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $38,887 at RPI vs $38,442 at Lafayette College. Lafayette College in-state tuition is about $1,317 more per year.
  • Graduation: RPI 84% vs Lafayette College 88%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: RPI $82,500 vs Lafayette College $81,000 (median).
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Key differences

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Lafayette College
Acceptance rate
Lafayette College more selective
RPI63.5%
Lafayette College31.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RPI higher
RPI1375-1510
Lafayette College1350-1500
Average net price
About even
RPI$38,887
Lafayette College$38,442
In-state tuition
RPI $1,317 less
RPI$64,081
Lafayette College$65,398
Out-of-state tuition
RPI $1,317 less
RPI$64,081
Lafayette College$65,398
Graduation rate
Lafayette College +4 pts
RPI84%
Lafayette College88%
Median earnings (10 years)
RPI +$1,500
RPI$82,500
Lafayette College$81,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • RPI 17,175
  • Lafayette College 10,195
  • Admitted
  • RPI 10,901
  • Lafayette College 3,206
  • Acceptance rate
  • RPI 63.5%
  • Lafayette College 31.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • RPI 12.1%
  • Lafayette College 21.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • RPI 1440
  • Lafayette College 1430
  • Typical ACT score
  • RPI 32
  • Lafayette College 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • RPI 3.88
  • Lafayette College 3.53
  • Typical high school grades
  • RPI A
  • Lafayette College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • RPI Exceptional
  • Lafayette College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • RPI Low
  • Lafayette College High
  • SAT range
  • RPI 1375-1510
  • Lafayette College 1350-1500
  • ACT range
  • RPI 30-34
  • Lafayette College 31-33
  • Submit test scores
  • RPI Test optional
  • Lafayette College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • RPI Jan 15, 2027
  • Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • RPI $64,081
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • RPI $64,081
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Room & board
  • RPI $18,120
  • Lafayette College $19,866
  • Average net price
  • RPI $38,887
  • Lafayette College $38,442
  • Average grant aid
  • RPI $43,517
  • Lafayette College $44,707
  • % receiving grant aid
  • RPI 95%
  • Lafayette College 61%
  • Graduation rate
  • RPI 84%
  • Lafayette College 88%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • RPI $82,500
  • Lafayette College $81,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • RPI 92%
  • Lafayette College 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • RPI $27,500
  • Lafayette College $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • RPI $284
  • Lafayette College $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • RPI 14:1
  • Lafayette College 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • RPI
    • Engineering (53%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (9%)
    • Business (8%)
    • Engineering Technology (5%)
    • Architecture (5%)
  • Lafayette College
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • Engineering (19%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Location
  • RPI Troy, NY
  • Lafayette College Easton, PA
  • Setting
  • RPI Small City
  • Lafayette College Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • RPI 7,040
  • Lafayette College 2,775
  • Type
  • RPI Private 4 Year
  • Lafayette College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • RPI #130
  • Lafayette College #69

Comparable Facts

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

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 2,775 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are 8.8% lower than at Lafayette College ($18,120 vs. $19,866).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.1% higher at Lafayette College than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (about $1,317 more per year; $65,398 vs. $64,081).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at Lafayette College (95% vs. 61%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 2.7% larger than aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students ($44,707 vs. $43,517).

Admissions details

  • Incoming RPI students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 32) as students at Lafayette College (32).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both RPI and Lafayette College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at RPI average a 3.88 high school GPA, 0.35 higher than at Lafayette College (3.53).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at RPI vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,500).
  • Among borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($268 vs. $284).
  • More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lafayette College students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 91%).

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

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