Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute vs Johns Hopkins - 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 (#501-600 vs #17). 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for: higher graduate earnings.
Choose Johns Hopkins 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
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 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Johns Hopkins |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #17 |
| Rank · THE | - | #16 |
| Acceptance rate | 63.5% | 6.44% |
| Yield rate | 14.4% | 47% |
| Median SAT | 1456 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.93 | 3.93 |
| Number of applications | 14,356 | 45,895 |
| International students | 2.2% | 15.2% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $88K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $71K | $65K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $137K | $135K |
| Graduation rate | 83.6% | 93.8% |
| Retention rate | 91% | 98.1% |
| Median debt | $23,750 | $10,250 |
| Tuition · year | $67,976 | $67,170 |
| Avg. aid package | $50,402 | $67,159 |
| % of need met | 66.2% | 99.5% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $39,539 | $30,803 |
| Application fee | $70 | $70 |
| Enrollment | 7,042 | 30,210 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Johns Hopkins?
It's harder to get into Johns Hopkins. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute accepts 63.5% of applicants, while Johns Hopkins accepts 6.44%.
Do Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Johns Hopkins graduates earn more?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $102K vs $88K.
How much is tuition at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute vs Johns Hopkins?
Sticker-price tuition is $67,976 per year at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and $67,170 per year at Johns Hopkins.
What SAT score do you need for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Johns Hopkins?
The median admitted SAT score is 1456 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and 1540 at Johns Hopkins; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Johns Hopkins?
Johns Hopkins ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute vs #17 for Johns Hopkins.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Johns Hopkins?
The average aid package is $50,402 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and $67,159 at Johns Hopkins.
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