Rochester Institute of Technology combines selective admissions with career-focused technical programs, producing graduates who rank in the 92nd percentile for earnings nationally. As a Selective Achievers institution, RIT delivers strong post-graduation outcomes with median earnings of $76,571 and exceptional performance in computer science, engineering, and technology fields.
Strong long-term earnings relative to educational investment and peer institutions
Higher-than-average costs and debt levels that challenge some students despite strong earnings outcomes
Above-average enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students for an institution of its selectivity level
Demonstrating the university's ability to support economic advancement for diverse student backgrounds
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Top-tier technical education with strong career outcomes
Rochester Institute of Technology ranks #369 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with return performance at the 87.5th percentile demonstrating strong post-graduation outcomes. Located in Rochester, New York, this large private nonprofit university maintains moderately selective admission standards with a 71.4% acceptance rate while delivering exceptional earnings outcomes.
RIT enrolls 26.1% Pell-eligible students and 19.5% first-generation students, reflecting moderate access levels relative to peers. Graduates earn $76,571 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 92nd percentile nationally for long-term earnings.
Median earnings growth from six years ($65,457) to ten years represents 17% growth over the period. With earnings beyond expectations of $2,701, placing RIT in the 66th percentile on this measure, the institution delivers above-average value.
This combination of selective but accessible admissions, strong technical programs, and solid economic outcomes places RIT within the Selective Achievers quadrant, where institutions serve fewer low-income students while maintaining strong post-graduation performance.
RIT delivers strong earnings outcomes through career-focused technical education. Graduates earn a median of $76,571 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 92nd percentile nationally.
Earnings range from $45,486 at the 25th percentile to $109,829 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career paths across disciplines but consistently strong technical outcomes. The institution generates $2,701 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 66th percentile nationally.
Students seeking strong technical education with career-focused programs, particularly those interested in computer science, engineering, and technology fields. Well-suited for students who value practical application and industry connections, with moderate debt tolerance for strong post-graduation earnings potential.
Rochester Institute of Technology admits approximately 71.4% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 4 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places RIT in the Moderately Selective tier, making it accessible to well-prepared students while maintaining academic standards.
The peer median admission rate of 69.4% shows that RIT's acceptance rate aligns closely with similar private nonprofit institutions, being just 2 percentage points more accessible than typical peers. This level of selectivity means that students with solid academic credentials have reasonable admission prospects, though competition remains meaningful for the most popular technical programs.
The moderately selective admission rate reflects RIT's focus on enrolling students who are prepared for rigorous technical curricula while maintaining sufficient accessibility for qualified applicants. Students should view RIT as a realistic option if their academic profile aligns with the institution's standards, though they should still prepare competitive applications.
For students building college lists, RIT represents a middle-ground option between highly selective technical institutes and more accessible regional universities. The sections below provide guidance on academic expectations and alternative schools for students seeking different selectivity levels or similar career-focused outcomes.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Rochester Institute of Technology's published cost of attendance reaches $71,714 annually, including $57,016 in tuition, $15,516 for room and board, and $1,100 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $29,694 after financial aid, representing $42,020 in financial aid savings.
This net price places RIT $3,837 below the peer median of $33,531, making it moderately more affordable than similar private nonprofit institutions. The substantial gap between sticker price and average net cost demonstrates significant financial aid distribution, though families should expect considerable variation based on income level and aid eligibility.
Net prices range dramatically across income tiers, from $24,475 for families earning under $30,000 to $34,772 for families earning over $110,000. This $10,297 spread reflects progressive aid targeting that concentrates support toward lower-income families.
The financial aid system effectively reduces costs for most families, though upper-income families will pay closer to the full published price. Students should use net price calculators to estimate their specific costs rather than relying on sticker prices or averages.
RIT graduates demonstrate steady earnings progression throughout their careers. Median earnings rise from $65,457 six years after enrollment to $70,978 at eight years and $76,571 at ten years, representing 17% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 2,443 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $2,701 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing RIT in the 66th percentile for earnings uplift.
Low-income graduates earn $62,100, reflecting solid outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds. Earnings span from $45,486 at the 25th percentile to $109,829 at the 75th percentile, with the top quartile earning 2.4 times more than the bottom quartile.
This distribution reflects differences in program choice, with computer science and engineering graduates commanding premium salaries. Approximately 24% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating the institution prepares students for both immediate workforce entry and advanced education.
The consistent upward trajectory demonstrates that RIT's career-focused approach translates into sustained earnings growth as graduates advance in their technical careers.
Computer Science.
188 graduates
Computer Support Specialist.
78 graduates
Computer Engineering, General.
210 graduates
Cloud Computing.
10 graduates
Industrial Engineering.
70 graduates
RIT offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for comprehensive analysis. Computer Science ranks #27 nationally and #4 in New York, producing 188 graduates with median earnings of $125,429 and an exceptional value score of 85.8.
Computer Support Specialist ranks #1 nationally, graduating 78 students with median earnings of $123,462 and a perfect value score of 100.0. Computer Engineering ranks #18 nationally and #1 in New York, graduating 210 students with median earnings of $105,334.
Industrial Engineering ranks #8 nationally and #2 in New York, with 70 graduates earning $96,163. Information Resources Management ranks #9 nationally and #1 in New York, graduating 80 students with median earnings of $92,311.
The institution also excels in specialized technical fields, with Computer Graphics ranking #3 nationally and Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology ranking #4 nationally. These rankings demonstrate RIT's strength across multiple technology and engineering disciplines, reflecting the institution's focus on career-oriented technical education.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wake Forest University Similar quality tier (#365 ranked) | NC | 22% | $78,158 | #365 | Compare |
University Of Miami Similar quality tier (#371 ranked) | FL | 19% | $75,328 | #371 | Compare |
Mercy University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#382 ranked) | NY | 85% | $52,055 | #382 | Compare |
George Washington University Similar quality tier (#396 ranked) | DC | 44% | $90,873 | #396 | Compare |
University Of San Diego Similar quality tier (#344 ranked) | CA | 47% | $86,522 | #344 | Compare |
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This is the Rochester Institute Of Technology hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/rochester-institute-of-technology/analysis.
