Johns Hopkins vs Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Johns Hopkins admits 6.4% of applications, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute admits 63.5%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 15.2% (Johns Hopkins) against 2.2% (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute).
Average aid for an international student is $48,307 (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) and $16,051 (Johns Hopkins).
The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: $102K against $88K.
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
Johns Hopkins is the more selective of the two (6.44% vs 63.5% acceptance). Johns Hopkins ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#17 vs #501-600). Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $88K). Johns Hopkins has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,170 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 Johns Hopkins for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for: higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Johns Hopkins is more selective (6.44% vs 63.5% acceptance); Johns Hopkins has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1456).
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $88K); Johns Hopkins has a higher 6-year graduation rate (93.8% vs 83.6%).
Johns Hopkins has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,170 vs $67,976); Johns Hopkins offers a larger average aid package ($67,159 vs $50,402).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Johns Hopkins | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #17 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | #16 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 6.44% | 63.5% |
| Yield rate | 47% | 14.4% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1456 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.93 | 3.93 |
| Number of applications | 45,895 | 14,356 |
| International students | 15.2% | 2.2% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $88K | $102K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $65K | $71K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $135K | $137K |
| Graduation rate | 93.8% | 83.6% |
| Retention rate | 98.1% | 91% |
| Median debt | $10,250 | $23,750 |
| Tuition · year | $67,170 | $67,976 |
| Avg. aid package | $67,159 | $50,402 |
| % of need met | 99.5% | 66.2% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $30,803 | $39,539 |
| Application fee | $70 | $70 |
| Enrollment | 30,210 | 7,042 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Johns Hopkins or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
It's harder to get into Johns Hopkins. Johns Hopkins accepts 6.44% of applicants, while Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute accepts 63.5%.
Do Johns Hopkins or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $102K vs $88K.
How much is tuition at Johns Hopkins vs Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Sticker-price tuition is $67,170 per year at Johns Hopkins and $67,976 per year at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
What SAT score do you need for Johns Hopkins or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Johns Hopkins and 1456 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Johns Hopkins or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Johns Hopkins ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #17 for Johns Hopkins vs #501-600 for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Which university offers more financial aid - Johns Hopkins or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
The average aid package is $67,159 at Johns Hopkins and $50,402 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
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