Princeton 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 Princeton turns away the overwhelming majority (4.4%).
The more international environment is at Princeton (13.1% international students) than Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2.2%).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Princeton awards international students $86,736 on average, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute awards $48,307.
The higher mid-range SAT belongs to Princeton: 1530 against 1456, a gap of 74 points.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
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
Princeton is the more selective of the two (4.42% vs 63.5% acceptance). Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#7 vs #501-600). Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $102K). Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,976 vs $68,454 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 Princeton for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for: lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Princeton is more selective (4.42% vs 63.5% acceptance); Princeton has a higher median SAT (1530 vs 1456).
Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $102K); Princeton has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 83.6%).
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,976 vs $68,454); Princeton offers a larger average aid package ($79,320 vs $50,402).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Princeton | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #7 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | #4 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 4.42% | 63.5% |
| Yield rate | 75.4% | 14.4% |
| Median SAT | 1530 | 1456 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.96 | 3.93 |
| Number of applications | 42,303 | 14,356 |
| International students | 13.1% | 2.2% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $110K | $102K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $68K | $71K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $197K | $137K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 83.6% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 91% |
| Median debt | $10,320 | $23,750 |
| Tuition · year | $68,454 | $67,976 |
| Avg. aid package | $79,320 | $50,402 |
| % of need met | 100% | 66.2% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,251 | $39,539 |
| Application fee | $75 | $70 |
| Enrollment | 9,281 | 7,042 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Princeton or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
It's harder to get into Princeton. Princeton accepts 4.42% of applicants, while Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute accepts 63.5%.
Do Princeton or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more?
Princeton graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $110K vs $102K.
How much is tuition at Princeton vs Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,454 per year at Princeton and $67,976 per year at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
What SAT score do you need for Princeton or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
The median admitted SAT score is 1530 at Princeton and 1456 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Princeton or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #7 for Princeton vs #501-600 for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Which university offers more financial aid - Princeton or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
The average aid package is $79,320 at Princeton and $50,402 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
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