Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester Institute of Technology — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Rochester Institute of Technology at a Glance
The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is a private research university in Henrietta, New York, United States, a suburb of Rochester. It was founded in 1829. It is one of only two institutes of technology in New York state, the other being the New York Institute of Technology.
1829
197 years old
$1.5B
$1.46 billion (FY2025)
20,570
17,528 undergrad · 3,042 grad
1,547
1,300 acres
Identity
Is Rochester Institute of Technology Worth It?
At a value score of 39/100, Rochester Institute of Technology is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $76,571 — 42% above average — while paying $34,906/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 70% graduation rate means roughly 30% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Rochester Institute of Technology has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Rochester Institute of Technology compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #4 of 13 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Louis University | 58 | $24,398 | $70,783 |
| #2 | University of Dayton | 52 | $29,533 | $75,537 |
| #3 | Southern Methodist University | 40 | $40,892 | $78,354 |
| #4 | Rochester Institute of Technology | 39 | $34,906 | $76,571 |
| #5 | Seton Hall University | 39 | $31,446 | $70,196 |
| #6 | Fordham University | 39 | $44,338 | $85,569 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Rochester Institute of Technology's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in NY.
Best Programs at Rochester Institute of Technology
The highest-earning program at Rochester Institute of Technology is Computer Science at $85,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $28,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from Rochester Institute of Technology earns $85,300, while a Biology, General graduate earns $28,300. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Science graduates carry $27,500 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $34,906/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $85,300 | $85,300 | $27,500 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $83,600 | $83,600 | $27,000 |
| Computer Engineering | $73,800 | $73,800 | $29,250 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | $71,800 | $71,800 | $27,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $69,700 | $69,700 | $27,000 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $68,800 | $68,800 | $23,781 |
| Industrial Engineering | $68,300 | $68,300 | $28,500 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $68,100 | $68,100 | $27,250 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $68,000 | $68,000 | $27,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $67,600 | $67,600 | $27,000 |
| Chemical Engineering | $67,200 | $67,200 | $30,625 |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $66,800 | $66,800 | $30,250 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $65,200 | $65,200 | $27,000 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $64,200 | $64,200 | $27,125 |
| Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians | $62,700 | $62,700 | $29,000 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | $62,000 | $62,000 | $27,000 |
| Engineering-Related Fields | $61,900 | $61,900 | $25,000 |
| Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $55,000 | $55,000 | $26,255 |
| Graphic Communications | $51,100 | $51,100 | $27,000 |
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations | $47,900 | $47,900 | $23,250 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $41,000 | $41,000 | $25,042 |
| Applied Mathematics | $38,800 | $38,800 | $27,000 |
| Biotechnology | $34,800 | $34,800 | $27,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $31,900 | $31,900 | $26,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $30,900 | $30,900 | $23,064 |
| Medical Illustration and Informatics | $30,400 | $30,400 | $27,000 |
| American Sign Language | $30,200 | $30,200 | $26,117 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $30,200 | $30,200 | $21,300 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $29,400 | $29,400 | $27,000 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $28,900 | $28,900 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $28,300 | $28,300 | $27,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Rochester, NY
- Student Body
- 13,215 students
- Admission Rate
- 67%
- Graduation Rate
- 70%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $34,906
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $76,571
- Median Student Debt
- $26,778