Emory vs Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute accepts most of the applications it receives (63.5%), while Emory turns away the overwhelming majority (10.3%).
The larger international cohort belongs to Emory: 16.7% of students against 2.2% (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute).
The gap in median earnings after a decade favours Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: $102K against $80K.
The higher mid-range SAT belongs to Emory: 1510 against 1456, a gap of 54 points.
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Emory is the more selective of the two (10.29% vs 63.5% acceptance). Emory ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#101-150 vs #501-600). Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $80K). Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,976 vs $68,056 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Emory for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for: higher graduate earnings, lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Emory is more selective (10.29% vs 63.5% acceptance); Emory has a higher median SAT (1510 vs 1456).
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $80K); Emory has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.1% vs 83.6%).
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,976 vs $68,056); Emory offers a larger average aid package ($67,329 vs $50,402).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Emory | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 10.29% | 63.5% |
| Yield rate | 40.4% | 14.4% |
| Median SAT | 1510 | 1456 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.84 | 3.93 |
| Number of applications | 34,614 | 14,356 |
| International students | 16.7% | 2.2% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $80K | $102K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $58K | $71K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $120K | $137K |
| Graduation rate | 91.1% | 83.6% |
| Retention rate | 96% | 91% |
| Median debt | $18,250 | $23,750 |
| Tuition · year | $68,056 | $67,976 |
| Avg. aid package | $67,329 | $50,402 |
| % of need met | 99.9% | 66.2% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $24,562 | $39,539 |
| Application fee | $75 | $70 |
| Enrollment | 15,179 | 7,042 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Emory or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
It's harder to get into Emory. Emory accepts 10.29% of applicants, while Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute accepts 63.5%.
Do Emory or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $102K vs $80K.
How much is tuition at Emory vs Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,056 per year at Emory and $67,976 per year at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
What SAT score do you need for Emory or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
The median admitted SAT score is 1510 at Emory and 1456 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Emory or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Emory ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #101-150 for Emory vs #501-600 for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Which university offers more financial aid - Emory or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
The average aid package is $67,329 at Emory and $50,402 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
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