Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester, New York · Private Nonprofit · 66.9% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 75/100 · Strong Value
Rochester Institute of Technology scores 75 (Strong Value) on the CampusROI scale. Sticker tuition is $59,274, net price is $34,906, and median 6-year earnings are $50,600 -- strong for a private institution at this price point. Completion rate is 69.9% and the payback period is 6.7 years. Median debt of $26,778 is moderate. RIT's core strength is in technical programs that dominate the top of the earnings distribution: Computer Science (195 graduates, $94,611 year-one, $135,702 year-four, ROI grade B+), Computer Engineering (186 graduates, $90,829 year-one), and Computer/IT Administration (89 graduates, $89,032 year-one, $138,679 year-four) are the anchor programs. Mechanical Engineering (173 graduates, $76,263 year-one) and Allied Health Diagnostic (54 graduates, $78,298 year-one) round out the top tier. The F-grade programs -- Film/Video (116 graduates, $28,858 year-one) and Graphic Communications (33 graduates, $32,044 year-one) -- reflect RIT's arts and media programs producing significantly weaker outcomes against the same tuition. The aggregate ROI score of 75 accurately reflects a bifurcated institution: STEM-focused students at RIT achieve strong financial outcomes; creative arts and media students face an unfavorable cost-to-earnings ratio.
Rochester Institute of Technology scores in the top 25% of all schools we track, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
Rochester Institute of Technology
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $59,274/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $59,274/yr |
| Average net price | $34,906/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $139,624 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $76,571 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $50,600 |
| Median debt at graduation | $26,778 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $284 |
| Estimated payback period | 6.7 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 69.9% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 13,215 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Rochester Institute of Technology is $59,274/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $34,906/year, or roughly $139,624 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $24,680/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $44,970/year.
The median graduate leaves with $26,778 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $284 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $76,571 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.53 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $24,680 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $24,820 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $28,874 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $34,510 |
| $110,001+ | $44,970 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 bracket pays $24,680 per year at RIT -- $98,720 over four years, well above the national average for low-income students at private colleges. At $50,600 median 6-year earnings, the payback is feasible for technical program graduates but genuinely difficult for film, design, or arts graduates. Low-income students in STEM tracks benefit most from RIT's co-op program, which provides paid work experience that reduces net cost in practice.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $28,874 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $34,510. Middle-income families are paying close to full net price. At $34,510 per year, RIT costs $138,040 over four years for families earning $75,000-$110,000. For STEM graduates, a 6.7-year payback makes this viable. For arts and media graduates, the payback extends significantly and should be explicitly modeled before enrollment.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The 110001-plus bracket pays $44,970 per year -- nearly $180,000 over four years. For CS or engineering graduates, the financial case is clear: year-one earnings of $90,000-$95,000 against $180,000 total cost is a 2-year payback. For film or design graduates, $180,000 cost against $28,000-$35,000 year-one earnings means debt service will dominate finances for a decade.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Rochester Institute of Technology with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $135,702 | B+ |
| Computer Engineering | $123,027 | B+ |
| Mechanical Engineering | $93,065 | B |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | $88,096 | B |
| Design and Applied Arts | $52,043 | D |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $52,970 | D |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $63,845 | D |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $86,226 | B |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration | $138,679 | B+ |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $100,367 | B |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer Science
Computer Science is RIT's strongest ROI program by volume: 195 graduates, $94,611 year-one, $135,702 year-four, debt-to-earnings 0.285 (ROI grade B+). Median debt of $27,000 is manageable against the earnings trajectory. The co-op program pipeline into Rochester's tech sector, NYC, and nationally means CS graduates typically have full-time offers before commencement. This is the program that most clearly justifies RIT's tuition tier.
Computer Engineering
Computer Engineering (186 graduates) earns $90,829 year-one and $123,027 year-four with a B+ ROI grade and debt-to-earnings of 0.314. Median debt of $28,500 is slightly above the CS cohort. The co-op model is especially well developed in this program -- hardware-software integration roles at regional employers like Xerox, Kodak, and national tech firms. The year-four trajectory to $123k reflects senior engineering progression.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering (173 graduates) earns $76,263 year-one and $93,065 year-four (ROI grade B, debt-to-earnings 0.354). Median debt of $27,000 is at the institutional median. Strong volume and solid outcomes make this program a reliable value proposition for students targeting manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and defense industries. The co-op program is a major asset here.
Film/Video and Photographic Arts
Film/Video is the highest-enrollment program with weak ROI: 116 graduates, $28,858 year-one, $52,970 year-four, debt-to-earnings 0.936 (ROI grade D). At a $59,274 sticker school, a film graduate earning $28,858 at year one with $27,000 in debt faces immediate financial pressure. The 4-year trajectory to $52,970 is slow. RIT's film program benefits from its technical integration, but students should compare outcomes against film programs at schools with lower net prices.
Design and Applied Arts
Design and Applied Arts (149 graduates) earns $34,709 year-one and $52,043 year-four with a D-grade ROI and debt-to-earnings of 0.778. This is one of RIT's largest programs by volume but among its weakest by financial outcome. Students who choose design should enter with a clear career plan -- UX design and product design tracks tend toward higher earnings than graphic or fine arts tracks -- and should understand that the aggregate figure includes a range of specializations.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 81.9% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 86.4% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 78.5% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 82.3% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 66.9% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 650-740 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 650-720 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 29-33 |
| Enrollment | 13,215 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 27.2% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $11,525 |
At 66.9% admission, RIT accepts most applicants but with meaningful academic preparation expectations. SAT Math 650-740 and Reading 650-720 indicate a technically-oriented admitted class. For STEM programs, the competition is meaningful. For arts and design programs, portfolio quality carries more weight. Students should note that the cooperative education model extends time-to-degree in practice, which factors into the payback calculation.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
RIT's peers include Adelphi University, Albany College of Pharmacy, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical (Daytona), Elon University, and National University. The most relevant comparison for technically-oriented students is Embry-Riddle and RPI. RIT's 75 ROI score reflects its strong technical programs offset by its arts programs. Among Northeastern technical privates at this tuition tier, RIT's co-op program and industry connections are legitimate differentiators. Students choosing between RIT and WPI or Northeastern for engineering and CS should compare co-op models, industry networks, and program-specific outcomes.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester Institute of Technology (this school) | 75 | $34,906 | $76,571 |
| Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | 94 | $29,882 | $131,426 |
| Adelphi University | 75 | $30,783 | $75,482 |
| Elon University | 75 | $41,555 | $74,545 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | 74 | $41,272 | $84,131 |
| National University | 64 | $22,878 | $67,548 |
Who Thrives Here
RIT admits 66.9% of applicants. SAT mid-ranges are 650-740 Math and 650-720 Reading; ACT composite 29-33. Enrollment is 13,215 -- a mid-size research-oriented institution in Rochester, NY. Pell grant rate of 27.2% is moderate. RIT has a large national deaf and hard-of-hearing student population served through its National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID), which is a distinctive institutional feature. The cooperative education program is a core part of the RIT experience and influences both the 6.7-year payback and the strong year-one earnings in technical programs.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
Rochester Institute of Technology delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $34,906 per year ($139,624 over four years), graduates earn a median of $76,571 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 6.7 years - a solid return on the investment.
The data highlights several strengths: a 69.9% graduation rate, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $26,778 against $76,571 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.