RPI Troy vs United States Naval Academy (USNA)
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and the United States Naval Academy (USNA) are two prestigious institutions of higher learning that offer distinct educational experiences. RPI, a private research university, boasts a higher acceptance rate (33%) compared to USNA's highly selective admissions (8%). Both institutions excel in STEM fields, with popular majors like Engineering and Computer Science dominating their academic offerings. However, USNA stands out for its unique focus on Naval Science and Leadership, preparing its graduates for careers in the United States Navy or Marine Corps. While RPI's student body is more diverse, USNA's student population is predominantly male, reflecting its military orientation. RPI's higher graduation rate (86%) compared to USNA's 82% indicates a strong commitment to student success. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and career goals.
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![]() Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
![]() United States Naval Academy |
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Overview |
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Location | Troy, New York | Annapolis, Maryland |
Campus setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 89.0% | 98.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 53.0% | 8.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$75
|
|
SAT range | 1360 - 1520 | 1200 - 1420 |
ACT range | 32 - 34 | 26 - 32 |
Students submitting SAT score | 43.0% | 69.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 15.0% | 48.0% |
Total number of applicants | 17,498 | 16,265 |
Total number of admissions given out | 9,277 | 1,374 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,322 | 1,183 |
Yield rate | 14.3% | 86.1% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Required | Required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $77,763 | |
Average net price | $40,070 | |
Tuition | $57,100 | |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,119
Meal plan:
$7,260
|
|
Available payment plans |
|
|
|
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Financial Aid |
||
Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
97.0%
Average amount $35,754 |
|
Students receiving federal student loan |
52.0%
Average amount $5,116 |
|
Students taking out private loans |
10.0%
Average amount $24,172 |
|
|
||
Students and Campus |
||
Undergraduate students |
5,614
Men 69.0% Women 31.0% |
4,528
Men 71.3% Women 28.7% |
Graduate students |
1,160
Men 69.1% Women 30.9% |
N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Low
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | 92.6% |
International students | 19.5% | 1.3% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 3,930 | 4,667 |
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 Maryland Virginia Florida |
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Academics |
||
Popular study areas |
|
|
Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 8:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | N/A |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 84.2% | 91.3% |
Dropout rate | 14.9% | 8.7% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
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)
|
N/A |
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