Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) vs Harvard
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and Harvard University stand as two distinct beacons of higher education, each offering a unique blend of academic excellence and diverse opportunities. RIT, a private research university in Rochester, New York, is renowned for its exceptional programs in science, technology, engineering, and the arts. Harvard, a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, holds a prestigious reputation for its unparalleled liberal arts education and groundbreaking research. While both institutions share a commitment to academic rigor and student success, they differ significantly in terms of acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Harvard University |
![]() Rochester Institute of Technology |
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Overview |
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Location | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Rochester, New York |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 96.0% | 88.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 4.0% | 71.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$105
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Undergraduate:
$65
Graduate:
$65
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SAT range | 1480 - 1580 | 1270 - 1450 |
ACT range | 33 - 36 | 28 - 33 |
Students submitting SAT score | 54.0% | 39.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 31.0% | 12.0% |
Total number of applicants | 57,786 | 21,923 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,318 | 15,645 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,951 | 3,355 |
Yield rate | 84.2% | 21.4% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $78,028 | $69,232 |
Average net price | $13,910 | $35,012 |
Tuition | $51,143 | $52,030 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$11,705
Meal plan:
$7,236
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Room/dormitory:
$8,392
Meal plan:
$7,000
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
56.0%
Average amount $59,840 |
100.0%
Average amount $31,960 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
3.0%
Average amount $5,180 |
62.0%
Average amount $5,197 |
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $8,080 |
16.0%
Average amount $19,624 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
9,579
Men 49.0% Women 51.0% |
14,000
Men 66.5% Women 33.5% |
Graduate students |
21,766
Men 46.3% Women 53.7% |
2,790
Men 62.1% Women 37.9% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 53.2% |
International students | 23.9% | 11.4% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 12,874 | 6,543 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York California Texas Illinois New Jersey | New York Pennsylvania New Jersey Connecticut Maryland |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 7:1 | 13:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 96.7% | 69.0% |
Dropout rate | 2.0% | 29.1% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Statistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (First Professional Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Public Health (Master's Degrees)
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology (Master's Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Doctoral Degrees)
Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
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Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications (Bachelor's Degrees)
Industrial Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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