Rensselaer polytechnic institute vs Harvard — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Harvard is the more selective of the two (3.6% vs 63.5% acceptance). Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#501-600 vs #1). Median earnings 10 years after enrollment are effectively tied ($102K vs $102K). Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($61,676 vs $64,081 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, a larger aid package.
Choose Harvard 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
Harvard is more selective (3.6% vs 63.5% acceptance); Harvard has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1456).
Rensselaer polytechnic institute graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $102K); Harvard has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 83.6%).
Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($61,676 vs $64,081); Rensselaer polytechnic institute offers a larger average aid package ($76,097 vs $74,387).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rensselaer polytechnic institute | Harvard |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #1 |
| Rank · THE | — | #3 |
| Acceptance rate | 63.5% | 3.6% |
| Yield rate | 39.7% | 83.6% |
| Median SAT | 1456 | 1553 |
| Avg. GPA | — | 4.20 |
| Number of applications | 15,819 | 54,008 |
| International students | 19% | 25% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $102K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $86K | $139K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $137K | $200K |
| Graduation rate | 83.6% | 97.6% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 98% |
| Median debt | $23,750 | $14,000 |
| Tuition · year | $64,081 | $61,676 |
| Avg. aid package | $76,097 | $74,387 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $29,149 | $22,262 |
| Application fee | $75 | $85 |
| Enrollment | 6,761 | 21,189 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rensselaer polytechnic institute or Harvard?
It's harder to get into Harvard. Rensselaer polytechnic institute accepts 63.5% of applicants, while Harvard accepts 3.6%.
Do Rensselaer polytechnic institute or Harvard graduates earn more?
Earnings are practically equal — 10 years after enrollment, the median is $102K at Rensselaer polytechnic institute and $102K at Harvard.
How much is tuition at Rensselaer polytechnic institute vs Harvard?
Sticker-price tuition is $64,081 per year at Rensselaer polytechnic institute and $61,676 per year at Harvard.
What SAT score do you need for Rensselaer polytechnic institute or Harvard?
The median admitted SAT score is 1456 at Rensselaer polytechnic institute and 1553 at Harvard; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Rensselaer polytechnic institute or Harvard?
Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for Rensselaer polytechnic institute vs #1 for Harvard.
Which university offers more financial aid — Rensselaer polytechnic institute or Harvard?
The average aid package is $76,097 at Rensselaer polytechnic institute and $74,387 at Harvard.
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