Stevens Institute of Technology vs RPI??

College Search & Selection
1

Hi everyone,

I’m having a little trouble deciding between Stevens and RPI. I am looking to combine Finance and Computer Science (hopefully become a Quant while also keeping other fields open).

Stevens Institute of Technology ($41k)
Positives:
-got into BS Quantitative Finance Program (really good)
-Pinnacle Scholars Program (summer research with professors, personal relationships with professors and upperclassmen)
-right outside NYC (good for internships)
-flexibly with course structure (lots of AP credits)
-can add second bachelors degree in computer science
-close to home
-CS and Quant Fin programs are both certified and have CFA approval
Negatives:
-not as well known outside of a few states
-CS program is decent but not great

RPI ($53k)
Positives:
-got into CS program (really good)
-5 year masters program w/BS in CS & Business + MS Quantitative Finance (that’s a spicy course)
-flexible course structure
-can add second Business major
-well reputed as a rigorous course (more widely know as well)
Negatives:
-Troy is in the middle of nowhere…idk if people get internships outta there
-their business is decent but not that great
-further from home

Clearly, I haven’t researched RPI as much as Stevens but I appreciate any insight on which will be right for me.
Thanks in advance!

2

I am not familiar with RPI’s program, but I do know several students who are in and have graduated from the Stevens quantitative finance program. Two are working in major Wall St. investment banks as trainees for their financial analytics/quantitative analysis functions. Another (who later went on for his PhD in financial engineering) was a “quant” manager and analyst for Goldman Sachs. Two received six figure starting offers. They tell me the program is highly respected in the financial and investment industry and is heavily recruited by investment banking and financial firms. When we recruited from Stevens at their past career fair (communications industry) I noticed many representatives of Wall St. financial firms there, including financial regulatory agencies such as FINRA, SEC, and others. From what I hear, I wouldn’t say that the financial programs (or the CS program) are “not well known”.

3

Would highly recommended reading through the RPI specific forum. They are launching their new “arch” program this year and it sounds like they haven’t quite worked out the kinks. That said, RPI was high on our daughter’s list. Great school.