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College Comparison

Purdue University vs RPI: Which is Better?

Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.

School

Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN

School

RPI

Troy, NY

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricPurdueRPI
Acceptance Rate50.3%wins58.5%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1190–14601330–1500wins
ACT Range (25th–75th)27–3430–34wins
Tuition (Out-of-State)$28,794wins$61,884
Avg Net Price$13,945wins$33,139
Median Earnings (10 yr)$72,424$102,051wins
Graduation Rate83.1%83.2%wins
Retention Rate92.0%wins88.7%
Student–Faculty Ratio14:114:1
Total Enrollment39,637wins5,909

Verdict

Based on the data above, Purdue edges out RPI on 5 of 9 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.

Purdue Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 50.3%
  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $28,794
  • Avg Net Price: $13,945
  • Retention Rate: 92.0%

RPI Strengths

  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1330–1500
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 30–34
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $102,051
  • Graduation Rate: 83.2%

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