Hey all,
I was considering RIT and UofR for Engineering. I know that RIT has a pretty good program, and know someone who goes there. I have no knowledge of UofR but heard it was a really good school. Can anyone compare the two?
Very different. URochester is smaller, great engineering but also more Arts and Sciences, especially strong in Bio and PoliSci. Also contains the Eastman School of Music. More selective than RIT. I think RIT emphasizes coops (makes sense since it’s primarily engineering) but I don’t think UR does as many eng’g coops.
Get your hands on some good college guide books (ex. Fiske, Princeton Review, Insiders Guide) and read up on the schools and you can also check the two school’s admissions statistics.
Cost of attendance at RIT around $15k less than at U. of Rochester. Both give need-based and merit-based aid.
@usualhopeful Yeah, the person I know who goes to RIT is doing a 5-year co-op thing. He just finished his sophomore year and is doing his co-op next year, and then will do two more years later.
UR over RIT for Optics
Only similarity is that they are both in Rochester; University of Rochester is much better
I have to agree, these schools should not typically be considered together as peers.
Maybe you are thinking RPI as that is an excellent engineering school.
However, RIT does offer some excellent programs, particularly those relating to computing, art and design and engineering. Though by comparison, it’s within the greater breadth of liberal arts programs – in combination with technologically oriented courses – that the University of Rochester distinguishes itself.
Can’t argue with anything here. Campuses are physically different as well. RIT is suburban and buildings look very similar – brick. UR is urban and a very traditional college setting, ivy, quads. RIT grads enjoy solid footing in the marketplace, certainly outpacing its ranking.
How is UR’s engineering though? I heard it was pretty good.
It’s very good.
Yep, very good.
URochester is generally ranked better and is more selective. It’s a top regarded school. It’s smaller than RIT but costs more. The science/STEM programs are great, including engineering. I have a friend who goes there; says there’s a good mix of students in terms of interests; she has lots of pre-med friends but also some more humanities majors.
RIT is cheaper but larger. It’s an institute of technology so most of the people will be engineers or have some sort of STEM focus vs a mix of humanities, STEM, life sciences at UR. RIT is ranked lower in general, but it’s specialization in engineering probably brings its engineering rank up.
I have always heard that there was more a difference in teaching between the two institutions. UofR is more theoretical based and most student go on for more school after their degree and RIT is more applied and along with having Co-op’s the students are employed after.
@bm1999 : ‘Engineering’ is pretty broad.
I’m originally from the region and attended RIT for CS in the late 70s. Others from my HS attended UofR; for History and Mechanical Engineering IIRC.
Currently RIT’s strengths are in CS/CE, Materials Science, Photo Science, & some variants of Civil Engineering.
UofR’s Engineering strengths are in Optics, High Energy Physics, and perhaps some BioMed E. There is a lot of NYS $ flowing back into this region for Optics and Photonics…
Physical plant wise UofR is more a mini-Ivy, RIT a Brutalist Disneyland. I think the only saving graces of RIT’s physical plant was the moderating presence of the School of American Craftsmen which was quite strong when I attended… and now is represented by the sparse but strong influences of individual art pieces across the campus.
RIT’s roots are in the Rochester Athenaeum. These were great institutions ( in the case of Greece may be their only hope ) and in the case of RIT provides the template for the institutional goals. Are these yours?
U of R is more selective, prestigious and expensive. one of the best thing about the university is the campus and it is a mid-size school, where everyone is super friendly. If you are considering BME, ME or optics then it is a great school. But unlike many other schools, you are not admitted to the school of eng. You will be admitted to the university and you set your curriculum as per your interest and declare your major, lot more flexibility.
RIT is easier to get in, it is a technical school, great for CS and industrial eng. The campus is large and uninspiring, completely removed from the rest of the small town where it is located ( reason why they let freshman bring their cars!)
RPI is more comparable to UofR than RIT they both are very different schools.