<p>I've been accepted to both. WPI would cost a bit more, but I can basically afford to choose. While my sister goes to RPI, I'm not sure if that's a good thing, a bad thing, or if it even matters. </p>
<p>I'm looking to go into mathematics, but not actuarial sciences, as I know they have at WPI. I'm also interested in astrophysics, but not as much as pure math.</p>
<p>I visited the WPI campus, and it was quaint. The people at RPI seem very unhappy, but I'm not looking to go to a party school. Happiness is something to think about, though, but it ties into what I would like to study, and how happy I would be with what's available.</p>
<p>It is better known nationally. I was surprised to find out starting salaries for RPI Math majors is $59K+, higher than almost all engineering majors. My conjecture is that many of the students also get a strong minor in some applied area like computer science or management. </p>
<p>WPI seems more project oriented. Both schools are good though. You can't go wrong with either. I would tend to favor RPI since it will cost you a little bit less and your sister is there.</p>
<p>RPI is ranked higher on US news, but that's not so important.</p>
<p>By the metric of SATs:
WPI: 1210-1400
RPI: 1220-1420</p>
<p>SATs show them to be pretty comparable in terms of academic strength. </p>
<p>WPI has a 94% retention rate, 66% admit rate. Not sure what the yield is. That might be instructure.
RPI has a 92% retention rate, 49% admit rate. Not sure about yield for RPI either.</p>
<p>Big admit difference, small retention difference.</p>
<p>Might want to decide purely based on visits. However, RPI is somewhat more selective.</p>