At $29,694/yr net price, Rochester Institute of Technology graduates earn $76,571/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $42,571/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $29,694 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $118,776 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $76,571/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$42,571/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 70.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,778 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $24,475/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $25,200/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $25,561/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $30,655/yr |
| $110,001+ | $34,772/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | Master | $101,964 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $98,137 | $20,500 |
| Computer Engineering. | Master | $90,637 | |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Bachelor | $89,006 | $27,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Master | $88,198 | |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $84,653 | $27,000 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $79,389 | $28,000 |
| Statistics. | Master | $76,460 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Master | $75,623 | |
| Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians. | Master | $74,576 |
The Risk Factor
70.8% of students at Rochester Institute of Technology graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 29% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
RIT pays off if you study computing or engineering, and the numbers make that clear. Your median earnings ten years out sit well above what your $26,778 median debt would take to repay, and the school's identity as a tech institute shows up directly in the paycheck data. This is a strong return for the right major, weaker for anything outside the STEM core.
The top-earning bachelor's programs are all computing and engineering. Computer/Information Technology Administration leads, and even at the lower end of the top five, electrical engineering and computer networking clear $71,000. Debt loads across these programs cluster around $27,000 to $31,000, so a networking degree carries slightly more borrowing for slightly less pay than pure computer science. Pick your program carefully inside the tech buckets and the gap matters.
The risk here is that RIT's return is concentrated. The salary data only lists tech and engineering fields, so if you enroll for art, business, or the liberal arts, you're paying private-nonprofit tuition without evidence those degrees hit the same numbers. A 70.8% graduation rate also means a real share of you leave with debt and no degree, which is the worst financial outcome available.
Net price barely moves for lower-income families: under $30k income pays about $24,475, and the $48-75k tier pays roughly the same. The jump happens above $75k, where price climbs past $30,000 and tops out near $34,772 over $110k. If your family earns in the middle brackets, your cost is close to the low-income cost, which is a decent deal.
Go to RIT if you're set on computing or engineering and will finish the degree. If you're unsure of your major or leaning toward a non-technical field, price out cheaper options before committing to this tuition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rochester Institute of Technology worth the cost?
RIT can be worth it if you study computer science, engineering, or allied health, where graduates earn $88,000-$102,000 annually. Other programs may not justify the $30,000 yearly cost and typical $27,000 debt load.
What is the return on investment for Rochester Institute of Technology graduates?
RIT graduates earn a median $76,571 ten years after graduation with $26,778 in debt. Tech and engineering majors see strong returns, but the 70% graduation rate means nearly one in three students don't finish.
Which Rochester Institute of Technology programs have the best job prospects?
Computer science leads at $102,000 starting salary, followed by allied health at $98,000 and computer engineering at $91,000. These technical programs justify RIT's costs better than other majors.
How much debt do Rochester Institute of Technology students typically graduate with?
RIT graduates carry a median debt of $26,778, which is manageable for high-earning tech graduates but risky for lower-paying majors. The annual net price averages $29,694 after financial aid.