RIT vs. U of R

Comparable Facts

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

Rochester Institute of Technology is larger than U of R based on total student enrollment (17,098 students vs. 11,946 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

RIT vs. U of R Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RIT or U of R? 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 U of R ($39,534 vs. $40,462).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rochester Institute of Technology are 18.4% lower than at University of Rochester ($16,142 vs. $19,792).
• University of Rochester is 13.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than RIT (about $7,806 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.2% higher at U of R than at Rochester Institute of Technology (about $7,806 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rochester Institute of Technology than at University of Rochester (98% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Rochester students is 29.7% larger than aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students ($45,500 vs. $35,077).

RIT vs. U of R Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RIT or U of R? 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 U of R and RIT .

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Rochester (1480) is 100 points higher than at RIT (1380).
• Incoming U of R students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at RIT ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 1300/1460; University of Rochester 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rochester Institute of Technology 29/33; University of Rochester 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RIT - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); U of R - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: RIT Jan 15, 2027; U of R Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman U of R students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at RIT (3.7).
• RIT has a higher acceptance rate (66.9%) than U of R (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.3% at RIT vs. 15.4% at U of R.

RIT vs. U of R Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RIT and U of R? 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).

• University of Rochester's six-year graduation rate (83%) is higher than Rochester Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from University of Rochester earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than RIT graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,000 vs. $64,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Rochester graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than RIT graduates ($24,500 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, U of R graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIT graduates ($253 vs. $289).
• More U of R graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIT students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.