Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute vs Emory - 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 (#501-600 vs #101-150). 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for: higher graduate earnings, lower tuition.
Choose Emory for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate.
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 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Emory |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 63.5% | 10.29% |
| Yield rate | 14.4% | 40.4% |
| Median SAT | 1456 | 1510 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.93 | 3.84 |
| Number of applications | 14,356 | 34,614 |
| International students | 2.2% | 16.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $80K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $71K | $58K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $137K | $120K |
| Graduation rate | 83.6% | 91.1% |
| Retention rate | 91% | 96% |
| Median debt | $23,750 | $18,250 |
| Tuition · year | $67,976 | $68,056 |
| Avg. aid package | $50,402 | $67,329 |
| % of need met | 66.2% | 99.9% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $39,539 | $24,562 |
| Application fee | $70 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 7,042 | 15,179 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Emory?
It's harder to get into Emory. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute accepts 63.5% of applicants, while Emory accepts 10.29%.
Do Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Emory graduates earn more?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $102K vs $80K.
How much is tuition at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute vs Emory?
Sticker-price tuition is $67,976 per year at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and $68,056 per year at Emory.
What SAT score do you need for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Emory?
The median admitted SAT score is 1456 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and 1510 at Emory; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Emory?
Emory ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute vs #101-150 for Emory.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Emory?
The average aid package is $50,402 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and $67,329 at Emory.
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