DU vs. RIT

Comparable Facts

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

Rochester Institute of Technology is larger than DU based on total student enrollment (17,098 students vs. 12,813 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

DU vs. RIT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DU or RIT ? 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 DU ($39,534 vs. $45,451).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rochester Institute of Technology are 9.1% lower than at University of Denver ($16,142 vs. $17,759).
• University of Denver is 3.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than RIT (about $2,124 more per year; $61,398.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.6% higher at DU than at Rochester Institute of Technology (about $2,124 more per year; $61,398.00 vs. $59,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Denver than at Rochester Institute of Technology (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rochester Institute of Technology students is 3.3% larger than aid received by University of Denver students ($35,077 vs. $33,955).

DU vs. RIT Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DU or RIT ? 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 RIT and DU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rochester Institute of Technology (1380) is 50 points higher than at DU (1330).
• Incoming RIT students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at DU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Denver 1240/1410; Rochester Institute of Technology 1300/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Denver 28/33; Rochester Institute of Technology 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DU - Test optional; RIT - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DU Jan 15, 2027; RIT Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at RIT (3.7).
• DU has a higher acceptance rate (77.8%) than RIT (66.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.1% at DU vs. 16.3% at RIT .

DU vs. RIT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DU and RIT ? 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 Denver's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than Rochester Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from Rochester Institute of Technology earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than DU graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,900 vs. $63,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Denver graduates have a $4,301 lower median loan debt than RIT graduates ($23,699 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, DU graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIT graduates ($245 vs. $289).
• More RIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 72%)

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.