Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Terre Haute, Indiana · Private Nonprofit · 76.9% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 89/100 · Strong Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology scores 89 (Strong Value) on the CampusROI scale - one of the stronger outcomes among private engineering-focused institutions. The 97.1% repayment rate at three years is the highest in our dataset of 30 schools and signals near-universal debt management success among graduates. Median 6-year earnings of $70,800 and a 4.7-year payback period justify the $58,649 tuition for most engineering students. The 78.2% completion rate is below what Rose-Hulman's reputation might suggest, indicating meaningful attrition even in a dedicated engineering program. Median debt of $25,000 against $70,800 median earnings is workable. Computer Science leads at $100,294 year-one (63 graduates, A grade), followed by Computer Engineering at $92,123 (63 graduates, B+ grade) and Mathematics at $85,977 (10 graduates). All eight programs in the Scorecard data earn B or better. Net price of $42,513 is high in absolute terms but delivers above-average earnings outcomes efficiently for students who complete. The 10-year median of $101,253 indicates sustained career trajectory. Rose-Hulman's national rankings as a top undergraduate engineering school translate directly to the earnings data here.
The median graduate earns $101,253 ten years after entry - well above the national median of roughly $55,000 for 4-year college graduates.
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $58,649/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $58,649/yr |
| Average net price | $42,513/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $170,052 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $101,253 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $70,800 |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $265 |
| Estimated payback period | 4.7 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 78.2% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,309 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $58,649/year. Here's the part that matters - almost nobody pays that. After grants, scholarships, and aid, the average student here pays a net price of $42,513/year, or roughly $170,052 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $36,843/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $45,994/year.
Most students borrow to get here. The median graduate leaves owing $25,000 in federal loans, which works out to about $265 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Hold that up against the $101,253 the typical graduate earns ten years out: the debt-to-earnings ratio comes to 0.35, comfortably manageable.
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 | $36,843 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $33,742 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $37,396 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $38,843 |
| $110,001+ | $45,994 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families in the $0-$30,000 bracket pay $36,843 per year at Rose-Hulman. The $30,001-$48,000 bracket pays $33,742. At $36k net price for the lowest-income families, the institutional aid is not enough to overcome the affordability barrier - very few students from this bracket attend Rose-Hulman, as reflected in the 11.8% Pell rate. For those who do, the strong earnings outcomes and 97.1% repayment rate mean the investment is financially recoverable.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-$75,000 bracket pays $37,396 per year. The $75,001-$110,000 bracket pays $38,843. Rose-Hulman's aid structure provides minimal income-differentiation across brackets - most families pay close to $37-43k regardless of income. For middle-income families committed to engineering, the strong graduate earnings justify this cost for students who complete the program.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $45,994 per year at Rose-Hulman - roughly $184,000 over four years. Against $70,800 median 6-year earnings and a 4.7-year payback, the full-pay case is financially solid for STEM graduates. The 97.1% repayment rate suggests the vast majority of Rose-Hulman graduates manage this debt burden successfully. Full-pay families choosing between Rose-Hulman and comparable schools (WPI, Clarkson) should compare specific program outcomes.
Earnings by Major
Top 8 most popular majors at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | $95,983 | B+ |
| Computer Science | $123,753 | A |
| Computer Engineering | $109,164 | B+ |
| Electrical Engineering | $96,448 | B+ |
| Biomedical Engineering | $90,484 | B |
| Chemical Engineering | $98,341 | B+ |
| Civil Engineering | $88,155 | B+ |
| Mathematics | $112,187 | 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 earns 63 graduates, $100,294 year-one, $123,753 at year four, A-grade ROI (debt-to-earnings 0.244) with median debt of $24,500. Year-one earnings of $100k at a school with under 2,500 undergraduates reflects the Rose-Hulman CS brand in the tech industry. The year-four figure of $124k is strong, driven by career progression in software and systems engineering. Against $42,513 net price, this is among the better CS value propositions at private engineering schools.
Computer Engineering
Computer Engineering posts 63 graduates, $92,123 year-one, $109,164 at year four, B+-grade ROI (debt-to-earnings 0.270) with median debt of $24,834. These are strong outcomes. Rose-Hulman CE graduates enter embedded systems, semiconductor, and software engineering roles. The year-four figure of $109k reflects career trajectory in a field with strong mid-career growth. B+ rather than A reflects the slightly higher debt relative to earnings versus the CS program.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering is the largest program at 121 graduates: $78,732 year-one, $95,983 at year four, B+-grade (debt-to-earnings 0.325) with median debt of $25,612. ME graduates enter manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and energy sectors. The four-year trajectory to $96k is solid. Rose-Hulman ME has strong industry recruiting relationships that distinguish it from regional engineering programs. The B+ grade reflects adequate but not exceptional debt management at the $25k median debt level.
Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering earns 27 graduates, $82,394 year-one, $98,341 at year four, B+-grade ROI (debt-to-earnings 0.297) with median debt of $24,500. ChemE at Rose-Hulman places graduates into petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and materials industries. Year-one earnings of $82k are strong for a small private engineering school. The four-year trajectory to nearly $100k reflects typical ChemE career progression into engineering roles and process management.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 94.9% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 97.1% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 90.9% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 93.4% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2023).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 76.9% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 670-770 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 650-730 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 29-34 |
| Enrollment | 2,309 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 11.8% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $11,761 |
Rose-Hulman's 76.9% admission rate is moderately accessible despite its reputation. SAT 670-770 Math and 650-730 Reading and ACT 29-34 describe the competitive range. The school's engineering mission means applicants must demonstrate clear interest in STEM fields. Admitted students tend to be strong math and science performers who have prioritized Rose-Hulman specifically for its teaching-focused engineering education, which differs from the research-heavy model at MIT or Georgia Tech.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Rose-Hulman's Scorecard peers include Clarkson University and Ohio Northern University. Clarkson is a direct comparable - a private engineering-focused university with strong STEM programs and a similar selectivity profile. Rose-Hulman consistently ranks higher on undergraduate engineering teaching quality and its 97.1% repayment rate exceeds what most private engineering programs deliver. Ohio Northern is smaller and more diversified. Students choosing between Rose-Hulman and Georgia Tech or similar large public engineering schools should weigh the teaching-intensive model and class size advantage Rose-Hulman offers against the lower cost of a flagship public engineering program.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (this school) | 89 | $42,513 | $101,253 |
| Clarkson University | 88 | $30,305 | $89,696 |
| Ohio Northern University | 88 | $24,478 | $80,928 |
| University of Detroit Mercy | 84 | $15,232 | $71,030 |
| Bethel University | 34 | $18,610 | $48,860 |
| Anderson University | 32 | $25,021 | $48,899 |
Who Thrives Here
Rose-Hulman admits 76.9% of applicants with SAT mid-ranges of 670-770 Math and 650-730 Reading; ACT composite 29-34. The strong math SAT range reflects the engineering mission. Enrollment of 2,309 is small for a full engineering institution. Pell rate of 11.8% is low, indicating limited lower-income enrollment. The campus environment is intensely STEM-focused and residential - a good fit for students who are certain about engineering career paths. The 78.2% completion rate reflects the rigor of the engineering curriculum. Students who are academically underprepared for college-level engineering will struggle here.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
For most students, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology pays off. You'd pay about $42,513 a year after aid ($170,052 over four years), and the typical graduate earns $101,253 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback - the time it takes for the earnings bump to cover what you spent - at roughly 4.7 years, a solid return.
What it has going for it: a strong earnings premium over high school graduates, its 78.2% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
On debt, you can breathe a little easier here. A median $25,000 owed against $101,253 in annual earnings is very manageable - comfortably inside the advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
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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.