Why Students Choose RIT
At RIT, students embark on an educational journey that transcends the ordinary – where their education is as unique and dynamic as they are.
As an RIT Tiger, you’ll forge a track full of transformative experiences that encompass global perspectives, hands-on learning, and complete customization to match your aspirations.
As an RIT Tiger, you'll gain an education that is…
Experiential
We believe in learning by doing and we give you the immersive experiences that not only enhance your resume but also prepare you for the challenges of the modern workforce.
Customizable
Your education should be as unique as you are. At RIT, we offer customizable programs and experiences that allow you to tailor your studies to your passions and career goals.
Global
Learning isn’t confined to the four walls of a classroom. With our innovative approach, geography itself becomes your classroom.
You don’t have to wait until you get to RIT to get the RIT Experience
The Tiger STRIPES platform enables you to advance your professional and personal development before you even step foot on campus. It also grows with you throughout your college career.
Experiential Education
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Co-op, Internships, and Assistantships
RIT is ranked among the top schools for co-op and internship programs by U.S. News & World Report (2025). Our cooperative education program is one of the largest in the world with 4,100+ students participating annually. Some graduate students also serve as teaching, research, or administrative assistants.
Learn more about co-op and internships
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Research Opportunities
Participate in innovative research alongside our distinguished faculty. Whether it’s in the lab, the field, or the studio, you’ll have the chance to contribute to groundbreaking discoveries and innovations.
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Hands-on Projects
From day one, you’ll be involved in projects that allow you to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world situations. Work on projects sponsored by industry leaders, non-profits, and government agencies.
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Makerspaces
The SHED hosts seven makerspaces across three floors where students can test, tinker, and create. You’ll find spaces for 3D printing, materials exploration, woodworking, plastics, textiles, computing, and electronics.
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Study Abroad and Away
Study abroad is available in over 60 countries and in Los Angeles. Our abroad opportunities are open to all majors, including short-term faculty-led programs, immersive exchange programs, experiences that explore international Deaf culture, and opportunities to do international research.
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International Student Opportunities
RIT offers international students opportunities for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and OPT-STEM Extension. We have 100+ OPT-STEM Extension eligible programs where students can stay and work in the US for up to 3 years after graduation.
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Start Adding Experience to Your Resume Today
Check out Tiger STRIPES, RIT’s free experiential learning platform that is available to all students worldwide. In Tiger STRIPES, you can participate in skill-building programs, internships, and competitions that give you experience, even if you are not currently an RIT student.
Customizable Pathways
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Immersions, Minors, and Concentrations
Bachelor’s degree students must complete an immersion (a concentration of three courses in a particular area) in order to support deeper learning within a focus area. In many cases, an immersion can lead to a minor with the addition of two courses. Most graduate programs offer areas of concentration.
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Build Your Own Degree
Create an academic experience that is truly your own. We offer the ability to design a unique, multidisciplinary degree that enables you to combine several areas of academic interest to create a customized bachelor’s or master’s degree.
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Combined Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Degree Programs
Earn a Bachelor's and Master's degree in less time and at a lower cost. You can choose from 60+ combinations to customize and diversify your education.
Learn more about Combined Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Degree Programs
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Immersive Extracurriculars
You’re interested in more than just your major. Pursue your passions alongside any degree with our supplemental programs, like ArtEx and the Performing Arts Scholarship, or our many professional organization collegiate chapters.
Learn more about the Performing Arts Scholarship
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Community Engagement
We have a rich history of successful collaboration across research projects, humanitarian and global volunteering efforts, implementing technology to improve accessibility, and more. RIT extends your reach to serve the world.
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Honors Program
The honors program is designed around three basic ideals—Leadership, Scholarship, and Citizenship—where undergraduate students can challenge themselves in exemplary learning experiences such as undergraduate research projects, Honors courses, independent study, and international experiences.
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Start Customizing Your Experiences Today
Check out Tiger STRIPES, RIT’s free experiential learning platform that is available to all students worldwide. In Tiger STRIPES, you can customize the workshops, internships, and power skill courses you complete, even if you are not currently an RIT student.
Global Encounters
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Diverse and Inclusive Community
As you learn from faculty with international expertise and discuss with peers from diverse backgrounds, your viewpoints will be challenged and your understanding expanded.
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Five Global Campuses
Our global campuses—located in China, Croatia, Dubai, Kosovo, and the United States —provide unique opportunities for you to extend your RIT education in exciting, dynamic international locations.
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Globally Diverse Curriculum
RIT offers several majors, minors, and concentrations to broaden your understanding of languages, cultures, global social issues, and international relations. Each academic experience allows students to learn about diverse cultures, try a new language, and engage with other students from different countries or cultural backgrounds.
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Start Working with Other Students Across the Globe Today
Check out Tiger STRIPES, RIT’s free experiential learning platform that is available to all students worldwide. Through the Tiger STRIPES platform, you can work with students across the globe on experiences like virtual internships and competitions, even if you are not currently an RIT student.
Rigorous, Professionally-Focused Academic Programs
Technology is driving unprecedented changes in the way we work. Today's college grads need skills–analytical thinking, complex problem solving, creativity, resiliency, and flexibility–that can adapt to evolving career fields.
- Our majors are multidisciplinary, transformative, and future-proof
- Designed to ensure successful outcomes while meeting the ever-changing needs of a new, and evolving economy
Co-ops, Internships, and Experiential Learning
There’s a reason RIT is ranked among the top schools for co-op and internship programs by U.S. News & World Report (2025). Our cooperative education program is the 4th oldest and one of the largest in the world.
- 4,412 students participate annually
- 5,848 co-op assignments completed
- 1,881 hiring organizations
- $67.7M earned by co-op students
- Internships may be paid or taken for academic credit
Combined Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Degree Programs
Imagine reducing your total education costs by 33%, increasing your starting salary by approximately 25%, and saving a year of time. This is what comes out of an RIT combined accelerated bachelor’s/master’s degree program.
- 70+ combinations available
- Most are completed within 5 years (including co-op)
- Begin graduate studies as an undergraduate
- Highly qualified first-year applicants are offered conditional admission to a graduate program
Learn more about Combined Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Degree Programs
Conducting Research
Undergraduate research at RIT is hands on, and driven by you. Each college within RIT offers opportunities to engage in research.
- Engage in research as early as your first year
- Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium with hundreds of student participants
- 7 Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) pathways supported through the National Science Foundation.
- 31 Goldwater Scholars awarded since 2005 - one of the preeminent scholarships for undergraduate students in the fields of the natural sciences, engineering and mathematics
Study Abroad & International Travel
Challenge yourself, enhance your cultural understanding, and gain a better appreciation of the social issues that affect us all globally.
- 600 study abroad and international experiences
- 60+ countries
- Enroll at one of RIT’s four global campuses — RIT China, RIT Croatia, RIT Dubai, and RIT Kosovo
Honors Program
Designed around three basic ideals—Leadership, Scholarship, and Citizenship—RIT’s Honors Program is where you can challenge yourself in exemplary learning experiences such as undergraduate research projects, Honors courses, independent study, and international experiences
- Early registration for Honors students
- $500 grants available for research, study abroad, projects, and conference travel
- Honors housing guaranteed
- No additional application is required; consideration is automatic after applying to RIT
Programs for Creators
Many students are interested in more than just their major. At RIT, we not only hope you will continue your creative activities, but we also encourage it.
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The Performing Arts Scholarship provides an opportunity to connect with other students that share your passion for dance, theater, and music by attending social events and participating in excursions to local concerts and plays.
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The Art Experience Program provides special hands-on experiences in our outstanding studios to try blowing glass, throwing ceramic vessels, or blacksmithing. Students also participate in excursions to local facilities.
Inclusive, Engaging Community
You bring you! We’ll provide the gifted faculty, unconventional degree programs, career-focused experiential learning, and a vibrant campus life. You’ll be a part of an inclusive community of people from diverse backgrounds who have come together to create, collaborate, innovate, and thrive.
- Recognized as a prestigious "Diversity Champion" by INSIGHT into Diversity magazine for eight consecutive years
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We are a university that celebrates incredible women
- Nearly 2,000 international students from over 100 countries
- 4,700 students of color—2,000 of whom identify as African American, Latinx and/or Native American (AALANA)—have chosen to study at RIT
- 1,100 deaf and hard-of-hearing students supported by RIT’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf
Our Commitment To Financially Supporting Students and Families
Recognizing that no two families’ finances are exactly the same, our Financial Aid and Scholarships staff carefully reviews each family’s circumstances to create a financial aid offer designed to help finance an RIT education. That’s why you shouldn’t rule out RIT based simply on cost.
- RIT invests more than $330 million and distributes a total of $551 million to undergraduate students and families.
- You won’t know how much you’ll have to invest unless you apply for admission and complete the FASFA.