At Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), we shape the future and improve the world through creativity and innovation. As an engaged, intellectually curious, and socially conscious community, we leverage the power of technology, the arts, and design for the greater good.
Founded in 1829, RIT welcomes more than 20,000 students to its main campus in Rochester, New York every year for studies in undergraduate, graduate, and PhD programs. RIT's diverse and collaborative community also includes our global campus communities in China, Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo. We provide exceptional individuals with a wide range of academic opportunities, including a leading research program and an internationally recognized college emphasizing education for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. With over 20,000 students and more than 145,000 graduates from 50 states and over 100 nations, RIT is driving progress in industries and communities around the world.
A hallmark of an RIT education is cooperative education, or co-op. Nationally ranked (#5), our co-op program is designed to provide students with career experience—early and often—in a variety of industries and environments. With co-ops and internships built into most programs, and available and encouraged in all majors, these opportunities are designed for students to deploy their skills and knowledge in authentic, real-world settings. The co-op experience jumpstarts students' careers before they graduate.
RIT attracts students looking for a dynamic educational experience that combines technology, the arts, and design. This means creative, innovative degree programs that prepare students today for the challenges of tomorrow, including career paths not yet mapped out; harnessing diverse ways of thinking, exploring, and making across world-class makerspaces and performing arts venues; and advancing knowledge and addressing complex problems across a range of research initiatives.
RIT's faculty researchers are collaborative thinkers who seek to solve problems with innovative, game-changing solutions. They explore galaxies, help set the pace for a future in photonics, and are the creativity behind discoveries to sustain the planet. They provide medical technologies that help individuals overcome obstacles and are solving some of the most pressing challenges in cybersecurity and imaging to protect people, data, and organizations.
At RIT, you'll find more than 300 research labs, centers, and institutes. Within RIT, there are plenty of opportunities for undergraduates to conduct compelling, hands-on research. Whether it's presenting at a conference, working with faculty, or participating in our Undergraduate Research Symposium, undergraduates are a key part of the outstanding research being conducted at RIT. In addition to nearly $100 million in annual sponsored research funding, 91 researchers have achieved $1 million or more in funding since 2000, 16 faculty members have received prestigious CAREER awards from the National Science Foundation since 2014, and dozens of RIT researchers are included on Stanford University's list of the worlds' top 2% of scientists.
Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival showcases the university's creative and innovative spirit through more than 300 interactive presentations, hands-on demonstrations, exhibitions, performing arts, and research projects set up throughout campus.
RIT students have a wide variety of activities to engage in outside the classroom. There are more than 300 clubs and student organizations spanning sports, culture, the arts, fitness and wellness, health, service and leadership, and more.
RIT has 12 men's and 12 women's NCAA Division III athletic teams in baseball, basketball, cross country, lacrosse, rowing, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. Our men's and women's hockey teams are NCAA Division I programs.
About
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Campus Visits Contact
Visit Coordinator
Rochester, NY 14623
Experience College Life
Student Life Center/Field House/Ice Aren
ESPN Zone @ RIT Student Alumni Union
Ben and Jerry's (RIT Student Alumni Uni
The Cafe and Market at Crossroads
Frontier Field (AAA Baseball)
Lake Ontario
Eastman Theatre
Rochester Museum and Science Center
Campus Tours
8:30am-4:30pm; 10am-noon
585-475-6736
Dates: Year-round
Times: Mon-Fri 10am, noon, and 2pm; Sat at 11am
Average Length: 1 hour
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Early Decision — November 1
Early Decision II — January 1
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Academics
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From The School
Majors and Degrees Offered
Students may choose from more than 80 bachelor's degrees (including more than 70 accelerated bachelor's/master's options), 70 master's degrees, and 13 doctorate degrees offered by 11 colleges and degree granting units. The College of Art and Design offers BFA and BS degrees in art, design, visual arts, photography, film, animation, and the studio arts. Saunders College of Business spans the key areas of business, finance, accounting, and commerce. Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences is an epicenter for IT, AI, games, and cybersecurity. The Kate Gleason College of Engineering provides engineering education across the foundational engineering disciplines, many of which infuse AI and machine learning into their curriculum. The College of Engineering Technology encourages leadership, creation, innovation, and application of technology to solve problems. The College of Health Sciences and Technology stresses health care delivery and patient care. The College of Liberal Arts infuses technology into traditional humanities programs to bring the social sciences into the digital age. The National Technical Institute for the Deaf is a world-class leader in deaf education. The College of Science promotes novel ways of thinking and implementation in a rapidly changing world. The Golisano Institute for Sustainability is a global center for research and education in sustainability. The School of Individualized Study encourages students to customize their own degree programs that enable creative combinations of study.
Faculty and Class Information
Graduation Rates
Majors
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BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.
Biochemistry.
Bioinformatics.
Biology, General.
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology, Other.
Biomedical Sciences, General.
Biotechnology.
Exercise Physiology.
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BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES.
Accounting.
Actuarial Science.
Business Administration and Management, General.
Business/Commerce, General.
Finance and Financial Management Services, Other.
Finance, General.
Hospitality Administration/Management, General.
Hospitality Administration/Management, Other.
Hotel, Motel, and Restaurant Management.
Hotel/Motel Administration/Management.
International Business.
International Business/Trade/Commerce.
Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management.
Management Information Systems, General.
Marketing.
Marketing/Marketing Management, General.
Resort Management.
Restaurant/Food Services Management.
Tourism and Travel Services Management.
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COMMUNICATION, JOURNALISM, AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
Advertising.
Communication and Media Studies.
Communication, General.
Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia.
Journalism.
Mass Communication/Media Studies.
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, Other
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication.
Public Relations/Image Management.
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COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES/TECHNICIANS AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects.
Graphic and Printing Equipment Operator, General Production.
Graphic Communications, General.
Graphic Communications, Other.
Photographic and Film/Video Technology/Technician and Assistant.
Prepress/Desktop Publishing and Digital Imaging Design.
Printing Management.
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COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
Artificial Intelligence.
Computer and Information Sciences, Other.
Computer and Information Sciences, General.
Computer and Information Systems Security/Information Assurance.
Computer Graphics.
Computer Science.
Computer Software and Media Applications, Other.
Computer Systems Analysis/Analyst.
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications.
Computer/Information Technology Services Administration and Management, Other.
Data Modeling/Warehousing and Database Administration.
Informatics.
Information Technology.
Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation.
Network and System Administration/Administrator.
System, Networking, and LAN/WAN Management/Manager.
Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design.
Web/Multimedia Management and Webmaster.
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EDUCATION.
Art Teacher Education.
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Hearing Impairments Including Deafness.
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ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES AND ENGINEERING-RELATED FIELDS.
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians.
Civil Engineering Technology/Technician.
Computer Engineering Technology/Technician.
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other.
Electrical, Electronic and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician.
Electromechanical Technology/Electromechanical Engineering Technology.
Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields, Other.
Environmental Engineering Technology/Environmental Technology.
Hazardous Materials Management and Waste Technology/Technician.
Manufacturing Engineering Technology/Technician.
Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician.
Occupational Safety and Health Technology/Technician.
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians, Other.
Telecommunications Technology/Technician.
Water Quality and Wastewater Treatment Management and Recycling Technology/Technician.
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ENGINEERING.
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical/Space Engineering.
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering.
Biomedical/Medical Engineering.
Chemical Engineering.
Computer Engineering, General.
Computer Engineering.
Computer Hardware Engineering.
Computer Software Engineering.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Engineering Science.
Engineering, General.
Engineering, Other.
Industrial Engineering.
Manufacturing Engineering.
Materials Engineering.
Mechanical Engineering.
Systems Engineering.
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FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES/HUMAN SCIENCES.
Foodservice Systems Administration/Management.
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FOREIGN LANGUAGES, LITERATURES, AND LINGUISTICS.
American Sign Language (ASL).
Chinese Language and Literature.
Japanese Language and Literature.
Sign Language Interpretation and Translation.
Spanish Language and Literature.
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HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician.
Health/Health Care Administration/Management.
Medical Illustration/Medical Illustrator.
Medical Informatics.
Physician Assistant.
Pre-Dentistry Studies.
Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies.
Pre-Pharmacy Studies.
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HOMELAND SECURITY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIREFIGHTING AND RELATED PROTECTIVE SERVICES.
Corrections and Criminal Justice, Other.
Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration.
Criminal Justice/Police Science.
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies.
Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician.
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LEGAL PROFESSIONS AND STUDIES.
Pre-Law Studies.
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LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES, GENERAL STUDIES AND HUMANITIES.
General Studies.
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MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.
Applied Mathematics, General.
Applied Mathematics.
Computational and Applied Mathematics.
Computational Mathematics.
Statistics, General.
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MILITARY SCIENCE, LEADERSHIP AND OPERATIONAL ART.
Air Force JROTC/ROTC.
Army JROTC/ROTC.
Navy/Marine Corps JROTC/ROTC.
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MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES.
Cultural Resource Management and Policy Analysis.
Human Computer Interaction.
International/Global Studies.
Mathematics and Computer Science.
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other.
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NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION.
Environmental Science.
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PARKS, RECREATION, LEISURE, AND FITNESS STUDIES.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science.
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PERSONAL AND CULINARY SERVICES.
Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management/Manager.
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PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES.
Philosophy.
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PHYSICAL SCIENCES.
Chemistry, General.
Physics, General.
Polymer Chemistry.
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PRECISION PRODUCTION.
Furniture Design and Manufacturing.
Woodworking, General.
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PSYCHOLOGY.
Psychology, General.
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PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONS.
Public Policy Analysis, General.
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SOCIAL SCIENCES.
Applied Economics.
Economics, General.
International Relations and Affairs.
Sociology.
Urban Studies/Affairs.
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VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.
Ceramic Arts and Ceramics.
Cinematography and Film/Video Production.
Commercial and Advertising Art.
Commercial Photography.
Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry.
Design and Applied Arts, Other.
Film/Cinema/Video Studies.
Film/Video and Photographic Arts, Other.
Fine/Studio Arts, General.
Game and Interactive Media Design.
Graphic Design.
Illustration.
Industrial and Product Design.
Interior Design.
Intermedia/Multimedia.
Metal and Jewelry Arts.
Painting.
Photography.
Printmaking.
Sculpture.
Students Say
The workload is legendarily daunting and "you will have to reach out and form study groups and pull all-nighters," but professors are "more than happy to help their students" and "truly take pride in helping their students become successful." While the material may be difficult, faculty "are willing to stay after hours, meet with the student, and hold group study/review sessions to help their students understand the material." The easy A is "not very common, especially in engineering classes," but "if you work hard, you will be recognized and grades will reflect that."
The opportunity for students to dip their toes into real-world experience abounds throughout the college, and the paid co-op program (mandatory for most majors) is considered by many to be "the best thing anyone could ever choose to go through if you are a career-driven individual." Additionally, there are "plenty of materials and machines students can use for free where in other schools you still have to pay."
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Overview
From The School
Location
The RIT campus is about six miles from downtown Rochester —the third largest metro area in New York state. Rochester is large enough to provide the dining, cultural, entertainment, arts, sports, and night life you might expect in a bigger city, yet its moderate size makes it friendly, inviting, and accessible. Beyond our main campus in Rochester, New York, RIT has international campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo.
RIT Housing options include single to multiple occupancy housing, residence halls, Greek housing, and apartment and suite-style options. Six special interest houses offer a specific academic focus to residence hall living and provide a way to tailor activities to a common theme. The houses include Art House, Computer Science House, Engineering House, House of General Science, Photo House, and Unity House.
Laundry, utilities, and all functional amenities are included. RIT housing contracts coincide with the academic year and students leaving for co-op, research, or study abroad can rest assured that they can end their housing contract with no fee or subletting needed. With free transportation shuttles, secure card swipe access, RIT Public Safety patrols, and a close partnership with the Center for Residence Life, RIT Housing is the perfect choice for a secure, supportive, and inclusive living and learning environment for all RIT Tigers.
Campus Facilities & Equipment
Key facilities and research centers on RIT's main campus include:
The Student Hall for Exploration and Development — The SHED is a 120,000-square-foot complex that houses three levels of makerspaces for a range of academic collaboration, rehearsal spac?es, including a large dance studio, a music rehearsal studio, individual practice rooms, and a 180-seat black box theater.
ESL Global Cybersecurity Institute — Educating and training cybersecurity professionals; developing new cybersecurity and AI-based knowledge for industry, academia, and government; and providing systems and network security services for critical infrastructure and smalland mid-sized organizations.
MAGIC Spell Studios — A 52,000-square-foot facility where a community of faculty and student game animators, designers, programmers, and filmmakers collaborate with industry partners to build entertainment and interactive experiences.
Golisano Institute for Sustainability — A global leader in sustainability education and research, the institute partners with business and government sponsors to solve complex, systemic problems and aims to make industry more sustainable through innovative approaches and technologies to minimize the use of materials and energy while maximizing outcomes.
Vignelli Center for Design Studies — Housing the archive of legendary designers Massimo and Lella Vignelli, the Vignelli Center is a hub of research, education, and creative inspiration that houses over 750,000 artifacts across all fields of design.
AMPrint Center — One of New York state's Centers for Advanced Technology and among the first research labs in the world to focus on development of next-generation multi-functional 3D printing technologies, materials, and devices.
Toyota Production Systems Lab — Hands-on education in state-of-the-art production systems, with a particular emphasis placed on teamwork, problem solving, and process improvement by studying the fundamental behavior of production lines.
Semiconductor and Microsystems Fabrication Laboratory — Conduct research with RIT's industrial partners in the semiconductor and microsystems industries as you develop and design applied solutions in microdevice design, process development, microsystem integration, and prototype fabrication.
Campus Life
Housing Options
Disabled Student
Dorms Coed
Frat Sorority
Other
Theme Housing
Wellness Housing
Students Say
Students cop to their being "a large gamer population" at RIT, and both electronic and tabletop gaming clubs and tournaments are wildly popular, as is anime. Hockey is a huge part of RIT and "it is very common to see a large number of students at the games." People also "go to the free on-campus movies, see guest speakers, listen to comedians, and attend events hosted by the College Activities Board."
The atmosphere and layout of the campus are beautifully balanced in that "it is not very spread out but not very small at the same time." More than half of the growing population of students live in on-campus, meaning housing "is not always available for everyone who applies" and dorms can be crowded. While one student notes that "the existing infrastructure is okay at best," the school recently added a new 120,000-square-foot maker space, a performing arts center, and is upgrading its athletic facilities.
Special Needs Admissions
Special Need Services Offered
Student Activities
Sports
Basketball
Cheerleading
Crew Rowing
Cross Country
Diving
Ice Hockey
Lacrosse
Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Wrestling
Cheerleading
Crew Rowing
Cross Country
Diving
Ice Hockey
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Volleyball
Student Services
Health
Womens Center
LGBT Support Groups
Minority Support Groups
Army ROTC Offered on-campus
Navy ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: University of Rochester
Air Force ROTC Offered on-campus
Sustainability
Data provided by Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), STARS®, as of March, 2023.
Campus Security Report
The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.
Please visit The Princeton Review’s page on campus safety for additional resources: http://www.princetonreview.com/safety
The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education: https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/