RPI vs. St John's

Comparable Facts

Compare Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY with St. John's University New York in Queens, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

St. John's University New York is larger than RPI based on total student enrollment (19,389 students vs. 7,040 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is located in Troy, NY (Small City setting); St. John's University New York is in Queens, NY (Large City setting).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St. John's University New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1; St. John's University New York 16:1.

RPI vs. St John's Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RPI or St John's? 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 St. John's University New York than RPI ($29,656 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are 12% lower than at St. John's University New York ($18,120 vs. $20,600).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 20.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than St John's (about $11,061 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $53,020.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.9% higher at RPI than at St. John's University New York (about $11,061 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $53,020.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. John's University New York than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 21% larger than aid received by St. John's University New York students ($43,517 vs. $35,979).

RPI vs. St John's Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RPI or St John's? 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 St John's and RPI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 190 points higher than at St John's (1250).
• Incoming RPI students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 26 at St John's).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510; St. John's University New York 1150/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34; St. John's University New York 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RPI - Test optional; St John's - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at St John's (3.5).
• St John's has a higher acceptance rate (83.4%) than RPI (63.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at RPI vs. 11.6% at St John's.

RPI vs. St John's Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RPI and St John's? 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).

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than St. John's University New York's (58%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $21,100 more per year than St John's graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $61,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, St. John's University New York graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, St John's 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 St John's students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 65%)

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.