Rochester, NY · Private University
Is Rochester Institute of Technology Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$76,571
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$57,016
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$57,016
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$228,064
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.34x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.5 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
70.8%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$26,778
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$29,694
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Rochester Institute of Technology graduates earn $31,571 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Rochester Institute of Technology ranked by graduate earnings
196 graduates
89 graduates
227 graduates
24 graduates
61 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Rochester Institute of Technology
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Rochester Institute of Technology, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $125,429) and the lowest (Hospitality Administration/Management: $34,543) is $90,886/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $125,429 | 2.2x |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $123,462 | 2.2x |
| Computer Engineering | $105,334 | 1.9x |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | $102,067 | 1.8x |
| Industrial Engineering | $96,163 | 1.7x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $92,311 | 1.6x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $86,702 | 1.5x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $86,145 | 1.5x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $84,896 | 1.5x |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $84,292 | 1.5x |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | $84,214 | 1.5x |
| Computer Programming(1yr data) | $83,875 | 1.5x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $83,505 | 1.5x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $82,443 | 1.4x |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $82,078 | 1.4x |
| Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians | $82,020 | 1.4x |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $81,262 | 1.4x |
| Chemical Engineering | $80,721 | 1.4x |
| Engineering-Related Fields | $78,388 | 1.4x |
| Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians(1yr data) | $73,355 | 1.3x |
| Graphic Communications | $73,091 | 1.3x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication(1yr data) | $71,549 | 1.3x |
| Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $70,416 | 1.2x |
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations | $67,214 | 1.2x |
| Applied Mathematics | $65,619 | 1.1x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $64,041 | 1.1x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $63,502 | 1.1x |
| Biotechnology | $57,558 | 1.0x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $56,984 | 1.0x |
| Biology, General | $54,500 | 1.0x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $48,662 | 0.8x |
| Medical Illustration and Informatics | $48,566 | 0.8x |
| Physics(1yr data) | $48,374 | 0.8x |
| Psychology, General | $47,330 | 0.8x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $45,395 | 0.8x |
| American Sign Language | $42,963 | 0.8x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $41,750 | 0.7x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $40,551 | 0.7x |
| Hospitality Administration/ManagementLowest | $34,543 | 0.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester Institute of Technology | 1.34x | $76,571 | Average ROI |
| Hofstra University | 1.25x | $69,039 | Average ROI |
| University of Dayton | 1.59x | $75,537 | Good ROI |
| Drexel University | 1.40x | $84,648 | Average ROI |
| Seton Hall University | 1.37x | $70,196 | Average ROI |
| Ithaca College | 1.26x | $63,548 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Rochester Institute of Technology delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $76,571 10 years after starting — $31,571 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.5 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.