Rose-Hulman's published cost of attendance reaches $74,226 per year, including $56,674 in tuition, $17,718 for room and board, and $1,500 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $40,665 after financial aid, representing savings of $33,561 from the sticker price.
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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) | $74,226 |
| Tuition and Fees | $56,674 |
| Room and Board | $17,718 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,500 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$33,561 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $40,665 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $33,862 |
| $30–48k | $32,345 |
| $48–75k | $34,656 |
| $75–110k | $37,396 |
| $110k+ | $45,616 |
Rose-Hulman's published cost of attendance reaches $74,226 per year, including $56,674 in tuition, $17,718 for room and board, and $1,500 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $40,665 after financial aid, representing savings of $33,561 from the sticker price. This net price significantly exceeds the peer median of $27,143 by $13,522, reflecting Rose-Hulman's positioning as a premium private engineering institution.
The substantial gap between published and actual costs indicates meaningful financial aid distribution, though the final net price remains elevated relative to public alternatives and even many private competitors. Families should expect Rose-Hulman to represent a premium investment in specialized engineering education, with costs justified by exceptional post-graduation earnings potential. The institution's net price varies considerably by family income, ranging from $33,862 for the lowest-income families to $45,616 for those earning above $110,000 annually.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
Rose-Hulman graduates manage debt levels that remain close to national averages despite the institution's premium pricing. Median debt reaches $25,000, just $819 above the peer median of $24,181, indicating effective financial aid in controlling borrowing levels.
Debt ranges from $15,553 at the 25th percentile to $31,000 at the 75th percentile, showing reasonable variation without extreme high-debt outliers that plague some private institutions. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.25 reflects manageable repayment burden relative to the strong earnings outcomes Rose-Hulman graduates achieve.
Parent PLUS borrowing reaches a median of $59,134 with monthly payments of $779, indicating significant family investment in Rose-Hulman education. The combination of moderate student debt with high family borrowing suggests a financing model where families shoulder substantial costs to access premium engineering education while students maintain manageable personal debt loads.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Rose-Hulman represents a premium investment that delivers exceptional returns despite elevated costs. Graduates earn $10,180 beyond expectations, ranking at the 85.9th percentile for earnings uplift and demonstrating clear value creation above what similar students achieve at other institutions.
The $38,187 earnings advantage over peer institution medians substantially exceeds the $13,522 net price premium, creating favorable long-term economics for families who can manage the initial investment. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.25 falls well within manageable ranges, particularly given the strong and stable earnings growth Rose-Hulman graduates experience throughout their careers.
Return on investment ranks at the 99th percentile nationally, reflecting the institution's ability to convert educational investment into exceptional career outcomes. The premium pricing reflects genuine value in specialized engineering education, industry connections, and career placement that justify higher costs for families seeking maximum earnings potential.
Rose-Hulman's financial aid profile reflects the challenges of private engineering education accessibility despite significant institutional aid efforts. The $33,561 average savings from sticker price to net price demonstrates substantial financial aid distribution across the student body.
However, the final average net price of $40,665 exceeds many families' ability to pay without borrowing, particularly given that only 11.7% of students are Pell-eligible. The progressive aid structure provides meaningful support for middle-income families while the limited low-income enrollment suggests that even discounted prices create barriers to access.
The institution appears to balance mission-driven aid provision with the revenue requirements of maintaining premium engineering facilities and faculty, resulting in pricing that supports educational quality while limiting economic diversity. Financial aid effectiveness shows in the positive Pell completion gap, where lower-income students who do enroll succeed at higher rates than the overall student body, suggesting effective support once students overcome the initial cost barriers.
