RPI Troy vs Stanford
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and Stanford University, two prestigious institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. RPI, a private research university in Troy, New York, is known for its rigorous engineering and science programs, while Stanford, a private research university in Stanford, California, boasts a diverse range of academic offerings, including strong programs in engineering, computer science, and humanities. With acceptance rates of 32% and 4.7%, respectively, both universities are highly selective. RPI's student body is predominantly male (63%), while Stanford's is more evenly balanced (51% male, 49% female). Explore the comparison table below to delve into further details about these two esteemed universities, including popular majors, graduation rates, and other key factors, to determine which institution best aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
![]() Stanford University |
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Overview |
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Location | Troy, New York | Stanford, California |
Campus setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Quarter |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 89.0% | 98.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 53.0% | 3.9% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$75
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Undergraduate:
$90
Graduate:
$125
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SAT range | 1360 - 1520 | 1470 - 1570 |
ACT range | 32 - 34 | 34 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 43.0% | 15.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 15.0% | 11.0% |
Total number of applicants | 17,498 | 55,471 |
Total number of admissions given out | 9,277 | 2,190 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,322 | 1,757 |
Yield rate | 14.3% | 80.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $77,763 | $78,898 |
Average net price | $40,070 | $14,402 |
Tuition | $57,100 | $55,473 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,119
Meal plan:
$7,260
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Room/dormitory:
$11,166
Meal plan:
$6,694
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
97.0%
Average amount $35,754 |
61.0%
Average amount $56,211 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
52.0%
Average amount $5,116 |
5.0%
Average amount $5,151 |
Students taking out private loans |
10.0%
Average amount $24,172 |
1.0%
Average amount $17,186 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
5,614
Men 69.0% Women 31.0% |
7,645
Men 49.4% Women 50.6% |
Graduate students |
1,160
Men 69.1% Women 30.9% |
10,035
Men 56.5% Women 43.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | 58.5% |
International students | 19.5% | 24.4% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 3,930 | 14,621 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | Yes |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | California Texas Washington New York Illinois |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 5:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 84.2% | 95.5% |
Dropout rate | 14.9% | 1.7% |
Transferred out | N/A | 0.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
|
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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