Houston vs Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute awards international students $48,307 on average, Houston awards $4,456.
On paper the cheaper option is Houston: $27,926 against $67,976, which is $40,050 less a year.
The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: $102K against $62K.
216 points separate the SAT profiles: 1456 (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) against 1240.
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
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
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is the more selective of the two (63.5% vs 73.92% acceptance). Houston ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#201-300 vs #501-600). Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $62K). Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 vs $67,976 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 Houston for: a higher world ranking, lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
Choose Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is more selective (63.5% vs 73.92% acceptance); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has a higher median SAT (1456 vs 1240).
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $62K); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has a higher 6-year graduation rate (83.6% vs 64.6%).
Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 vs $67,976); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offers a larger average aid package ($50,402 vs $16,450).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Houston | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 73.92% | 63.5% |
| Yield rate | 26.5% | 14.4% |
| Median SAT | 1240 | 1456 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.49 | 3.93 |
| Number of applications | 31,716 | 14,356 |
| International students | 5.7% | 2.2% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $62K | $102K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $39K | $71K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $93K | $137K |
| Graduation rate | 64.6% | 83.6% |
| Retention rate | 87% | 91% |
| Median debt | $18,194 | $23,750 |
| Tuition · year | $27,926 | $67,976 |
| Avg. aid package | $16,450 | $50,402 |
| % of need met | 55.1% | 66.2% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,819 | $39,539 |
| Application fee | $75 | $70 |
| Enrollment | 47,980 | 7,042 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Houston or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
It's harder to get into Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Houston accepts 73.92% of applicants, while Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute accepts 63.5%.
Do Houston or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $102K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Houston vs Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Sticker-price tuition is $27,926 per year at Houston and $67,976 per year at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
What SAT score do you need for Houston or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
The median admitted SAT score is 1240 at Houston and 1456 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Houston or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Houston ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #201-300 for Houston vs #501-600 for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Which university offers more financial aid - Houston or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
The average aid package is $16,450 at Houston and $50,402 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
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