Brigham Young University vs Rochester Institute of Technology
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 holds a 19-point ROI advantage over Rochester Institute of Technology, scoring 94/100 versus 75/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Brigham Young University comes in at $15,564 per year (net price after aid) versus $34,906 at Rochester Institute of Technology - a difference of $19,342 annually, or roughly $77,368 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Rochester Institute of Technology graduates earn a median of $76,571 compared to $75,790 at Brigham Young University. The payback period is 5 years at Brigham Young University versus 6.7 years at Rochester Institute of Technology.
Graduates leave Brigham Young University with a median $11,069 in debt versus $26,778 at Rochester Institute of Technology. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.24 and 0.53 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Brigham Young University | Rochester Institute of Te... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $6,688 | $59,274 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $6,688 | $59,274 |
| Net Price (avg) | $15,564 | $34,906 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $62,256 | $139,624 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $46,600 | $50,600 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $75,790 | $76,571 |
| Graduation Rate | 81.0% | 69.9% |
| Payback Period | 5 yr | 6.7 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $11,069 | $26,778 |
| Monthly Payment | $117 | $284 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.24 | 0.53 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 87.0% | 86.4% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 84.3% | 78.5% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 67.8% | 66.9% |
| Enrollment | 32,952 | 13,215 |
| SAT Range | 1270-1460 | 1300-1460 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Brigham Young Univer... | Rochester Institute ... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $10,444 | $24,680 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $10,112 | $24,820 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $13,062 | $28,874 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $16,378 | $34,510 |
| $110,001+ | $20,542 | $44,970 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Brigham Young Univer... | Rochester Institute ... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $142,800 | $135,702 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration | $118,606 | $138,679 |
| Computer Engineering | $133,111 | $123,027 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $129,879 | $72,313 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $113,338 | $100,367 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $105,544 | $68,524 |
| Electrical Engineering | $99,774 | $105,068 |
| Chemical Engineering | $101,726 | $94,641 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment | $45,018 | $100,680 |
| Accounting | $96,632 | $72,830 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $90,634 | $93,065 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $80,841 | $57,748 |
| Physics | $73,747 | $75,281 |
| Biotechnology | $42,178 | $74,613 |
| Graphic Communications | $73,941 | $55,122 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Brigham Young Univer... | Rochester Institute ... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 94 | 66 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 94 | 85 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 97 | 67 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 90 | 78 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 90 | 89 |
| Overall ROI Score | 94 | 75 |
The Verdict
Brigham Young University significantly outperforms Rochester Institute of Technology on financial ROI (94 vs 75). The 19-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Rochester Institute of Technology offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors Brigham Young University.
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Brigham Young University
Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown
Rochester Institute of Technology
Strong 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.