Brigham Young University vs Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
Brigham Young University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are closely matched on financial return. Brigham Young University scores 94/100 while Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute scores 93/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, Brigham Young University comes in at $15,564 per year (net price after aid) versus $36,228 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - a difference of $20,664 annually, or roughly $82,656 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates earn a median of $102,051 compared to $75,790 at Brigham Young University. The payback period is 5 years at Brigham Young University versus 4.2 years at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Graduates leave Brigham Young University with a median $11,069 in debt versus $23,750 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.24 and 0.36 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Brigham Young University | Rensselaer Polytechnic In... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $6,688 | $64,081 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $6,688 | $64,081 |
| Net Price (avg) | $15,564 | $36,228 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $62,256 | $144,912 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $46,600 | $66,700 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $75,790 | $102,051 |
| Graduation Rate | 81.0% | 83.6% |
| Payback Period | 5 yr | 4.2 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $11,069 | $23,750 |
| Monthly Payment | $117 | $252 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.24 | 0.36 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 87.0% | 95.4% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 84.3% | 93.4% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 67.8% | 63.5% |
| Enrollment | 32,952 | 5,714 |
| SAT Range | 1270-1460 | 1375-1510 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Brigham Young Univer... | Rensselaer Polytechn... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $10,444 | $24,078 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $10,112 | $26,289 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $13,062 | $28,212 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $16,378 | $36,230 |
| $110,001+ | $20,542 | $42,541 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Brigham Young Univer... | Rensselaer Polytechn... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $142,800 | $141,528 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $113,338 | $115,100 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $105,544 | $99,713 |
| Electrical Engineering | $99,774 | $104,596 |
| Chemical Engineering | $101,726 | $98,679 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $90,634 | $92,952 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $52,929 | $87,358 |
| Civil Engineering | $81,928 | $86,794 |
| Physics | $73,747 | $81,840 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Brigham Young Univer... | Rensselaer Polytechn... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 94 | 88 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 94 | 97 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 97 | 91 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 90 | 92 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 90 | 100 |
| Overall ROI Score | 94 | 93 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. Brigham Young University edges out Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute by 1 points (94 vs 93), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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Brigham Young University
Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.