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.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $71,714 |
| Tuition and Fees | $57,016 |
| Room and Board | $15,516 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,100 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$42,020 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $29,694 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $24,475 |
| $30–48k | $25,200 |
| $48–75k | $25,561 |
| $75–110k | $30,655 |
| $110k+ | $34,772 |
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.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
RIT graduates carry median debt of $26,778, which exceeds the peer median of $23,168 by $3,610. Debt levels span from $12,000 at the 25th percentile to $32,250 at the 75th percentile, showing meaningful variation in borrowing patterns among students.
The median debt level ranks in the 17th percentile nationally, indicating below-average performance on debt control despite the above-peer comparison. Parent PLUS borrowers carry median debt of $31,643 with monthly payments of $416.71, adding to total family education debt burden.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35 indicates that typical graduates earn approximately 2.9 times their debt amount annually, suggesting manageable repayment conditions given RIT's strong earnings outcomes. However, the combination of above-peer debt levels with private university pricing creates financial pressure that students should carefully evaluate.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Rochester Institute of Technology delivers strong return on educational investment despite higher debt levels than peer institutions. Graduates earn $2,701 beyond expectations, ranking in the 66th percentile for earnings uplift relative to student demographics and program mix.
Median earnings of $76,571 rank in the 92nd percentile nationally, while median debt of $26,778 creates a favorable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35. Compared to peer institutions, RIT graduates earn identical median earnings ($76,571 vs $76,571 peer median) while carrying $3,610 more in debt, creating a mixed value proposition.
The return index percentile of 87th indicates well above average performance when combining earnings and debt outcomes. Strong earnings in technical fields help offset higher borrowing costs, particularly for students entering high-demand careers in computer science, engineering, and technology.
RIT's financial aid system delivers substantial support averaging $42,020 per student, reducing the $71,714 sticker price to a $29,694 average net cost. The aid distribution concentrates heavily on lower-income families, with those earning under $30,000 receiving aid that covers approximately 66% of published costs.
Middle-income families earning $48,000-$75,000 receive aid covering about 64% of published costs, while upper-income families earning over $110,000 receive aid covering roughly 51% of costs. With 26.1% Pell-eligible enrollment, RIT serves a meaningful share of lower-income students who benefit from federal grant aid in addition to institutional support.
The progressive aid structure helps make the private university accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds, though families should expect significant variation in actual costs. Aid packaging combines federal, state, and institutional sources to achieve these net price outcomes.
