Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute vs Clarkson University: which has better ROI?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $144,912 in 2.7 years versus 2.9 years at Clarkson University, on median earnings of $102,051 vs $89,696 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Clarkson University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $36,228 | $30,305 |
| Total net cost | $144,912 | $121,220 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $102,051 | $89,696 |
| Median debt | $23,750 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 2.7 yrs | 2.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $928,908 | $705,500 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Clarkson University?
Clarkson University, at $30,305 a year after aid versus $36,228 — a gap of $5,923 a year, or $23,692 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Clarkson University graduates earn more?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates report a median $102,051 ten years after entry, $12,355 more than the $89,696 at Clarkson University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or Clarkson University?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: its completers carry a median $23,750 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Clarkson University, a difference of $2,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
84% of students finish at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, against 75% at Clarkson University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.