University of Rochester vs Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

The University of Rochester is a private research university in Rochester, New York. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private research university in Troy, New York.

Overview Comparison
University of RochesterRensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Collegedunia Score5.8 Out of 104.7 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 47 US News 2024
# 133 Times Higher Education 2024
# 224 QS World University 2024
# 60 US News 2024
# 401 Times Higher Education 2024
# 494 QS World University 2024
Subject Strength# 42 for Engineering by US News 2024
# 32 for Medicine by US News 2024
# 51 for Engineering by US News 2024
# 601 for Medicine by Times Higher Education 2023
# 501 for Law by Times Higher Education 2022
ProgramsUG Programs -68
PG Programs -53
Doctorate Programs -4
UG Programs -34
PG Programs -31
Acceptance Rate35.5 %44.4 %
Exam ScoreGMAT - 680
IELTS - 7.5
SAT - 1300
TOEFL - 100
SAT - 1320
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   52543.87
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  57750
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 10494 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   55408
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  55500
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 14960 Per Year
placement (average package)

In 2019 the institute had MBA employment rate of 91% after 3 months of Postgraduation. Average salary is around142,166 USD/year. Top hiring companies include Amazon.com, Bank of America, Citigroup, Deloitte, Facebook, Fedex, Google, Gartner, Mckinsey & Company, PWC, Tesla, Morgan Stanley.
Executive MBA: $317,000
MBA: $188,000
Doctorate: $130,000
MS in Finance: $96,000
Baclelor of Arts: $90,000
Masters in Science: $81,000


The median starting salary for Rensselaer graduates was found to be $68,400, placing it among the top 10 of all national universities – tied with Princeton University and higher than Georgia Institute of Technology.


application requirements

SAT Reasoning Exam Score and Subject Test Score (2 or more scores)
ACT Scores
English Proficiency Test Scores: IELTS, TOEFL or PTE
3 LORs for Postgradute Courses
Academic Certificates-Official High School Transcripts
Course by Course evaluation Transcripts
International Financial Support Form (IFSF)

Submit official transcripts

Submit English language requirements

Check program specific requirements

Campuses and B-SchoolsSimon Business School
NA
General Facts Comparison
General FactsUniversity of RochesterRensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1850
1824
Student:Faculty Ratio4:1
16:1
Male:Female50% Male, 50% Female32% Male, 68% Female
Location Facts

Rochester metro area is easily navigable and campuses are a short drive from Greater Rochester International Airport. Considerablly closer to Toronto rather than New York City the university is located south of downtown Rochester at the bend of Genesee river.


RPI's 275-acre (111 ha) campus sits upon a hill overlooking Troy and the Hudson River. The surrounding area is mostly residential neighborhoods, with the city of Troy lying at the base of the hill. The Institute runs a 15-acre (6.1 ha) campus in Hartford, Connecticut, and a distance learning center in Groton, Connecticut, the latter of which was closed in 2018. 


Library

River Campus has 6 libraries with a collection of university archives, Eastman School of Music has nearly 750,000 holdings in scores, books and journals. Medical Center has 4 libraries featuring rare books and manuscripts from the medicine field and the Memorial Art Gallery has resources for K-12 teachers.


The mission of the Rensselaer Libraries is to support Rensselaer’s educational and research endeavors. As part of the Division of the Chief Information Officer, the Libraries actively cooperate with other Division units to provide enabling information strategies, resources, services, and technology to the diverse Rensselaer community.


Campus Life

Rochester’s tight knit campuses have 275 organizations and clubs, health care and counselling centers, URMC fitness center. Formal academic events in Rochester include Plutzik Reading Series, Studio Arts programs, Inspire Dance festival and International Theatre program. 23 varsity teams compete for the Liberty League and University Athletic association.


The students of RPI have created and participate in a variety of clubs and organizations funded by the Student Union. About 170 of these organizations are funded by the Student Union, while another thirty, which consist mostly of political and religious organizations, are self-supporting.RPI has around twenty intramural sports organizations, many of which are broken down into different divisions based on level of play. Greek organizations compete in them as well as independent athletes. There are also thirty-nine club sports. Given the university's proximity to the Berkshires, Green Mountains and Adirondacks, the Ski Club and the Outing Club are some of the largest groups on campus. The Ski Club offers weekly trips to local ski areas during the winter months, while the Outing Club offers trips on a weekly basis for a variety of activities. Another notable aspect of student life at RPI is the "First-Year Experience" (FYE) program. Freshman begin their stay at RPI with a week called "Navigating Rensselaer and Beyond" or NRB week. The Office of the First-Year Experience provides several programs that extend to not only freshman, but to all students. These include family weekend, community service days, the Information and Personal Assistance Center (IPAC), and the Community Advocate Program.


Hostel#On campus - $10494
#On campus - $14960
Famous Alumni

Edward Gibson (Physicist), Katherine Hayles (Academic), Robert Forster (Film Producer), Rene Richards (Tennis Player), Galway Kinnell (Poet), Peter van Inwagen (Philosopher), Bill Kauffman (Journalist), Steven Chu (Physicist), Richard Thaler (Economist), Aurthur R Mileer (Law Professor), Joseph Martin (Doctor), Paul Singer (Businessman), Susan Hockfiels (Neuroscientist).


John J. Albright (1868), businessman and philanthropist
Marshall Brain, founder of HowStuffWorks.com
Gary Burrell, founder of Garmin
Dan Buckley (1991), president of Marvel Entertainment

Truman H. Aldrich (1869), civil engineer, also briefly a US State Representative
Karthik Bala, co-founder of Vicarious Visions
Garnet Baltimore (1881), first African-American engineer and Garnet D. Baltimore Lecture Series honoree
Peter Bohlin 1958, architect of the famous 5th Avenue Apple Store


City Life

Rochester is New York’s third largest metropolitan area with a unique blend of history and innovation. Unemployment rate is 11.3% as of June 2020. Though the university itself is the 2nd largest employer in New York area and largest employer in Greater Rochester area. The city has a low cost of living than the US national average. Festivals celebrating artisans like AppleUmpkin, Seabreeze amusement park, lake Ontario, Buffalo Bill’s training camp, and over 3,500 nationally recognized parks make Rochester, NY a lucrative destination. 


Troy, NY is an exciting city situated on the banks of the Hudson River in Rensselaer County. Home to two major universities - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Russell Sage College - Troy provides its residents with plenty of outdoor resources perfect for activities like fishing on Tomhannock Reservoir or biking through Onondaga Park. The city itself offers its residents many restaurants, unique shops and other amenities that make living here so enjoyable. Whether you’re looking for great cultural attractions or simply want an urban escape — Troy is sure to please! Troy, NY has an overall above average cost of living thanks largely in part to its high real estate values and tax rates when compared other places within New York and the nation as a whole but can vary depending on neighborhood.


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