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Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY·Private nonprofit·13,215 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students considering a private nonprofit institution in New York. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $67,800 within 10 years; financial aid brings net price below sticker.

67%
Accept
13,215
Students
$34,906
Net Price
70%
Grad Rate
$67,800
Earnings
10 yr
$26,778
Debt

About This School

Rochester Institute of Technology is a private nonprofit institution located in Rochester, New York with approximately 13,215 undergraduate students enrolled. Rochester Institute of Technology has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 67%. The average net price after financial aid is $34,906 per year. The graduation rate is 70%, and the typical graduate earns $67,800 within 10 years of enrollment.

The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is a private research university in Henrietta, New York, United States, a suburb of Rochester. It was founded in 1829. It is one of only two institutes of technology in New York state, the other being the New York Institute of Technology.

Strong choice for students pursuing technical, design, or applied fields, with median earnings of $67,800 at 10 years out and a relatively modest debt load of $20,872 — that's a solid return on investment. The 71% acceptance rate means it's accessible but not a sure thing, and the matching 71% graduation rate is worth watching; roughly 3 in 10 students don't finish, so make sure RIT's co-op-heavy, career-focused model fits how you actually learn. Worth considering if you have a clear direction and want hands-on, career-oriented training — less ideal if you're undecided and need a lot of exploratory flexibility.

Founded
1829
Setting
Large suburb
Avg Faculty Salary
$11,525

Popular Programs

Computer Science23%
Engineering20%
Visual & Performing Arts13%
Business & Marketing7%
Biological Sciences5%
Health Professions3%
Communications2%
Psychology1%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

John ResigKate GleasonEmma Lampert CooperN. Katherine HaylesChristopher TanevBruce DavidsonMatt HamillJerry UelsmannFrederick ElmesWalid Raad

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

Test Policy: Considered but not required

SAT Scores

Average Composite1383
Reading 75th %ile720
Math 75th %ile740

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite31

What This School Looks For

From the school's most recent Common Data Set (2023-24). What the admissions office actually weighs:

Academic GPAVery Important
Rigor of secondary school recordVery Important
Class rankImportant
Recommendation lettersImportant
Application essayImportant
Demonstrated interestImportant
Standardized test scoresImportant
Character / personal qualitiesImportant
InterviewConsidered
Talent / abilityConsidered
Volunteer workConsidered
Alumni relationConsidered
Work experienceConsidered
First generation statusConsidered
Extracurricular activitiesConsidered

Early vs. Regular Decision

Early Decision
73%
1,326 of 1,822 accepted
Overall
67%
All applicants
24,071 students applied, 17,123 were admitted, and 2,932 enrolled. The school uses a waitlist (1,583 offered a spot, 363 admitted).

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$59,274
Out-of-State Tuition
$59,274
Avg Net Price
$34,906
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$24,680
$30–48k$24,820
$48–75k$28,874
$75–110k$34,510
$110k+$44,970

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants27%
Median debt at graduation$26,778

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
70%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
89%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$67,800
after enrollment
Median Debt
$26,778
at graduation

Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender

Male graduates$55,500
Female graduates$40,800

Gap: 26% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$26,778
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$50,600
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$67,800
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.5x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White60%
Black6%
Hispanic/Latino10%
Asian12%
Two or more races6%
International4%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (13,215 undergraduates).

In the Classroom & On Campus

Class size distribution

Under 20
45.5%
20–29
17.6%
30–39
20.8%
40–49
9.9%
50–99
3.8%
100+
1.5%
Student–Faculty Ratio
13:1
Faculty with PhD/Terminal Degree
57%
Greek Life Participation
3% / 2%
fraternities / sororities

Source: Rochester Institute of Technology Common Data Set (2023-24).

Contact & Location

Address

Rochester Institute of Technology

1 Lomb Memorial Dr

Rochester, NY 14623-5603

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in New York

Browse all New York schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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