Why is Rose-Hulman Ranked #1 w/ 75% acceptance but Virginia Tech is Harder to Get Into?

[Anonymous]

I’ve been looking into Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, which has a 75% acceptance rate and is ranked #1 for undergraduate engineering programs. I’m confused why Virginia Tech, which has a much lower acceptance rate, isn’t ranked as high. What is Rose-Hulman doing differently? Shouldn’t Virginia Tech, being a state school, be more accessible to Virginia residents who want to study engineering or computers?

It seems crazy that Virginia Tech is so competitive while Rose-Hulman is more open, especially considering their top ranking. I’ve heard Rose-Hulman also offers excellent financial aid, which can bring costs down to in-state tuition levels. It might be worth looking into for my kid instead of Tech.

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rosehulman-institute-of-technology-1830/overall-rankings

Does anyone else have thoughts on this? Should Virginia Tech reconsider their admissions process to better serve Virginia residents interested in STEM fields?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been looking into Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, which has a 75% acceptance rate and is ranked #1 for undergraduate engineering programs. I’m confused why Virginia Tech, which has a much lower acceptance rate, isn’t ranked as high. What is Rose-Hulman doing differently? Shouldn’t Virginia Tech, being a state school, be more accessible to Virginia residents who want to study engineering or computers?

It seems crazy that Virginia Tech is so competitive while Rose-Hulman is more open, especially considering their top ranking. I’ve heard Rose-Hulman also offers excellent financial aid, which can bring costs down to in-state tuition levels. It might be worth looking into for my kid instead of Tech.

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rosehulman-institute-of-technology-1830/overall-rankings

Does anyone else have thoughts on this? Should Virginia Tech reconsider their admissions process to better serve Virginia residents interested in STEM fields?

Terre Haute, IN is a real tough sell. Plus it's only number one for schools that do not award doctorates. Research matters.

[Anonymous]

$$$$$$$

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been looking into Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, which has a 75% acceptance rate and is ranked #1 for undergraduate engineering programs. I’m confused why Virginia Tech, which has a much lower acceptance rate, isn’t ranked as high. What is Rose-Hulman doing differently? Shouldn’t Virginia Tech, being a state school, be more accessible to Virginia residents who want to study engineering or computers?

It seems crazy that Virginia Tech is so competitive while Rose-Hulman is more open, especially considering their top ranking. I’ve heard Rose-Hulman also offers excellent financial aid, which can bring costs down to in-state tuition levels. It might be worth looking into for my kid instead of Tech.

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rosehulman-institute-of-technology-1830/overall-rankings

Does anyone else have thoughts on this? Should Virginia Tech reconsider their admissions process to better serve Virginia residents interested in STEM fields?

Terre Haute, IN is a real tough sell. Plus it's only number one for schools that do not award doctorates. Research matters.

For engineering? No not really at all

[Anonymous]

Because acceptance rates are a function of how desirable a school is, not how good it is. Those are not the same thing. Many, many people would prefer Blacksburg and its environment and football games etc to Terre Haute and a college that’s 70%+ male.

[Anonymous]

Rose Hulman and VT are in different categories, the rankings can’t be compared.

The answer about Terra Haute might explain why Rose Hulman has higher rankings but Harvey Mudd and Olin have more applicants (although the fact the latter are need blind plays a role too) but it doesn’t explain VT vs Rose Hulman.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because acceptance rates are a function of how desirable a school is, not how good it is. Those are not the same thing. Many, many people would prefer Blacksburg and its environment and football games etc to Terre Haute and a college that’s 70%+ male.

Exactly! Can't believe how many posts I've seen in the past two weeks with folks contributing acceptance rate to ranking.

[Anonymous]

VT attracts a much wider range of students . RH is kind of niche and naturally has a more limited applicant pool.

[Anonymous]

Because US News is a joke?

Supply/demand tells you all that you need to know as to how the public views particular schools.

UC Merced is basically a top 50 school according to US News.

Its 25% SAT score (last reported):
990

Let that sink in. A 990 on the SAT.

[Anonymous]

Rose is relatively easy to get into but harder to graduate from. But they have a 99% placement rate. Great school for a certain kind of kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because acceptance rates are a function of how desirable a school is, not how good it is. Those are not the same thing. Many, many people would prefer Blacksburg and its environment and football games etc to Terre Haute and a college that’s 70%+ male.

Exactly! Can't believe how many posts I've seen in the past two weeks with folks contributing acceptance rate to ranking.

it is attributing. not contributing.

[Anonymous]

This whole thread is based on OP misreading the chart and making a false claim.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because US News is a joke?

Supply/demand tells you all that you need to know as to how the public views particular schools.

UC Merced is basically a top 50 school according to US News.

Its 25% SAT score (last reported):
990

Let that sink in. A 990 on the SAT.

+1

US News gives a wrong idea to people who are not informed. Ignorant people believe what they see without considering the context or digging into the methodology.

[Anonymous]

Cribbing from the Pitt-Penn State thread, the USNews engineering rankings are just peer assessments. They do not look at admit rates, placement rates, etc. So, the answer to OP's question is, I guess - faculty at other schools know about R-H and like it better than they do VT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because acceptance rates are a function of how desirable a school is, not how good it is. Those are not the same thing. Many, many people would prefer Blacksburg and its environment and football games etc to Terre Haute and a college that’s 70%+ male.

Exactly. Selectivity ≠ Quality