Admit rate has ranged 67%–74% over the last 5 years. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is a powerhouse for hands-on, career-focused education, particularly in STEM fields like engineering, computer science, and game design. With a 67% acceptance rate and strong co-op programs, RIT blends accessibility with high post-graduation salaries—averaging $51,000 for undergrads—while fostering a quirky, club-driven campus culture in snowy upstate New York.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
Demonstrated competencies
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
13,215
In-state tuition
$59,274
Out-of-state tuition
$59,274
Acceptance Rate
67%
Notable Programs
Game Design, Microelectronics Engineering, Imaging Science
Co-op Participation
4,500+ students/year
4-Year Graduation Rate
71%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$76,571
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.2×
Median debt at graduation
$26,778
Graduation rate
70%
First-year retention
89%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
77%
Pell (lower-income) share
46%
First-generation share
19%
Endowment / student
$104,769
Financial health
3.0 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management$89,006
Computer Science$84,653
Computer Engineering$79,389
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications$72,901
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$71,351
Management Information Systems and Services
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
21
Per 1,000 students
1.59
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
92
Summer high
80°F
Winter low
23°F
Annual rain
41.7"
Annual snow
41.4"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
512
Scholarly works
30,614
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
3.3%
Bottom → top quintile
52%
From bottom quintile
6%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Rochester Institute of Technology?
Rochester Institute of Technology's acceptance rate is approximately 67% (Rochester, NY), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Rochester Institute of Technology?
Admitted students at Rochester Institute of Technology typically score 1300–1460 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Rochester Institute of Technology cost?
At Rochester Institute of Technology, the average net price (after aid) is about $34,906 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Rochester Institute of Technology?
Rochester Institute of Technology enrolls approximately 13,215 undergraduate students.
Where is Rochester Institute of Technology located?
Rochester Institute of Technology is located in Rochester, NY.
Admissions
RIT’s admissions are somewhat selective, with a 67% acceptance rate (fall 2022) and middle-50% SAT scores ranging from 1300–1460 (EBRW: 640–720, Math: 640–740). The average enrolled freshman GPA is 4.0, with 43% of admits holding a 4.0+ GPA. Applications are due by January 15, and the university emphasizes Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone., considering academic rigor, test scores (Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. since 2020), and personal statements. Notably, RIT’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) has separate admissions criteria for deaf/hard-of-hearing students, with ACT ranges of 31–35.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$71,015
Chemical Engineering$69,338
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians$69,338
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Academics
RIT is a top 100 national university (U.S. News) renowned for its STEM dominance, including the first undergraduate microelectronics engineering program in the U.S. Key strengths include:
Engineering: Especially computer, electrical, and mechanical.
Computer Science: Highly competitive, with strong ties to industry.
Game Design: A flagship program blending tech and creativity.
Imaging Science/Photography: Unique resources like the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science.
Lesser-known but growing are its humanities and social sciences programs, which emphasize ‘change-making’ through interdisciplinary projects. The curriculum is hands-on, with co-op programs (required for many majors) that place 4,500+ students annually in paid roles at companies like Google, Tesla, and NASA.
RIT’s suburban Rochester campus buzzes with 300+ clubs, from Quidditch teams to hackathons, though students note the social scene is ‘what you make it.’ Highlights:
Greek Life: ~10% participation, with fraternities/sororities hosting themed parties and philanthropy events.
Traditions: The ‘Freeze Fest’ winter carnival and ‘Brick City Homecoming’ lean into RIT’s quirky, geeky vibe.
Inclusivity: The NTID community fosters ASL fluency campus-wide, and LGBTQ+ resources are robust.
Housing: 66% of undergrads live on campus, with themed floors (e.g., ‘Computer Science House’).
Critics cite Rochester’s harsh winters and a ‘commuter-heavy’ weekend vibe, but loyalists praise the tight-knit, ‘nerdy but welcoming’ culture.
RIT is unmatched for pragmatic, tech-driven students who want: 1. Co-op muscle: 5,000+ employer partners and a ‘career-first’ ethos. 2. Niche STEM programs like motion picture science and cybersecurity. 3. Deaf culture integration: ASL courses and NTID collaborations enrich campus diversity. 4. Tinkerer’s paradise: Maker spaces, 3D-printing labs, and a ‘fix-it-yourself’ mentality.
Downsides? The brutal winters and ‘work-hard-play-less’ rep. But for those chasing Silicon Valley or Fortune 500 jobs, RIT delivers a direct pipeline—with a side of nerdy charm.
Rochester Institute of Technology logo · sourceRochester Institute of Technology | RIT · sourceUndergraduate Campus Visit · sourceRIT again ranked among the best universities in the nation by U.S. News | RIT · source
