RIT vs. Case Western vs. Carnegie Mellon vs. Penn State

Comparable Facts

Compare Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY with Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rochester Institute of Technology is larger than Case Western based on total student enrollment (17,098 students vs. 12,475 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rochester Institute of Technology is located in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting); Case Western Reserve University is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• Rochester Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Case Western Reserve University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rochester Institute of Technology 13:1; Case Western Reserve University 9:1.

RIT vs. Case Western Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RIT or Case Western? 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 Rochester Institute of Technology than Case Western ($39,534 vs. $44,000).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rochester Institute of Technology are 14% lower than at Case Western Reserve University ($16,142 vs. $18,762).
• Case Western Reserve University is 12.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than RIT (about $7,334 more per year; $66,608.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.4% higher at Case Western than at Rochester Institute of Technology (about $7,334 more per year; $66,608.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rochester Institute of Technology than at Case Western Reserve University (98% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Case Western Reserve University students is 19.5% larger than aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students ($41,913 vs. $35,077).

RIT vs. Case Western Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RIT or Case Western? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Case Western and RIT .

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Case Western Reserve University (1490) is 110 points higher than at RIT (1380).
• Incoming Case Western students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (33 vs. 31 at RIT ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Rochester Institute of Technology 1300/1460; Case Western Reserve University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Rochester Institute of Technology 29/33; Case Western Reserve University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RIT - Test optional; Case Western - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RIT Jan 15, 2027; Case Western Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Case Western students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at RIT (3.7).
• RIT has a higher acceptance rate (66.9%) than Case Western (36.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.3% at RIT vs. 11.9% at Case Western.

RIT vs. Case Western Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RIT and Case Western? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Case Western Reserve University's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than Rochester Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from Case Western Reserve University earn a median of about $19,800 more per year than RIT graduates about ten years after starting college ($84,700 vs. $64,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Case Western Reserve University graduates have a $3,934 lower median loan debt than RIT graduates ($24,066 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Case Western graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIT graduates ($248 vs. $289).
• More Case Western graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIT students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 75%)

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.