Why Students Choose RIT/NTID

We asked students why they chose RIT/NTID. From their perspective, this is what sets RIT/NTID apart.

A collage of images and interviews of RIT/NTID students.

 


Two male students conducting a test in a laboratory, one holds a beaker

Career-Focused Academic Programs

Technology is driving unprecedented changes in the way we work. Today's college graduates need skills—analytical thinking, complex problem solving, creativity, resiliency, and flexibility—that can adapt to evolving career fields.

  • Flexible degree pathways to choose from, including associate, associate+bachelor’s, bachelor’s, combined bachelor’s/master’s, master's, and Ph.D. degrees
  • Majors that are multidisciplinary, transformative, and future-proof
  • Programs designed to ensure successful outcomes while meeting the ever-changing needs of a new, and evolving, economy

Learn more about our areas of study

Close up photo of student working on a breadboard circuit

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 (2023). Our cooperative education program is the fourth-oldest and one of the largest in the world.

  • 4,100+ students participate annually
  • 5,500+ co-op assignments completed
  • 2,100+ hiring organizations
  • Internships may be paid or taken for academic credit

Learn more about co-op and internships

Five students pose wearing t-shirts that say "My FavoRITe Shirt"

The Right Fit College

At RIT, you can be who you are and explore who you want to be. You’ll find other students like you, and you’ll discover more about yourself than you ever knew.

  • With more than 1,100 deaf and hard-of-hearing students and nearly 150 faculty who are deaf or hard of hearing, RIT makes it easy for you to find peers and role models who share similar life experiences and backgrounds.
  • RIT is a welcoming place for students of all communication modes.

Learn more about connecting with other students like you

1 of only 9 national universities recognized by US News for co-op, internships, and undergraduate research.

A student reads live captions in a classroom; an interpreter stands in the front of the class

Access Services and Support

RIT provides one of the most accessible education communities in the world for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

  • 135 in-house interpreters, 47 real-time captionists, 400 trained notetakers
  • 180K+ total hours of access services provided annually
  • Tutors and advisors who specialize in working with deaf and hard-of-hearing students

Learn more about access services and support

A female audiologist works with a female student

Audiology and Speech/Language Services

You never have to leave campus for audiological and speech/language services. On-site audiologists and speech language pathologists at RIT are certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and are specifically trained to work with deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. 

  • Audiologists provide services related to hearing and hearing aids, cochlear implants and assistive devices. 
  • Speech-language pathologists offer a broad range of speech and language services.

Learn more about audiology and speech/language services

A female counselor meeting with a male student

Individual Career Guidance

Employment specialists in the NTID Co-op and Career Center, formerly the NTID Center on Employment, will work with you throughout your time at RIT. Services include advising and assisting with job search preparation.

  • Designated employment specialists work specifically with deaf and hard-hearing students and network with employers across the country to develop opportunities for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. 
  • Annual career fair for deaf and hard-of-hearing students and graduates.

Learn more about career guidance

Opportunities for deaf and hard-of-hearing students at RIT are unmatched by any university in the world. 

Students dance in a large group, outdoors at Apple Fest

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.

  • More than 1,100 deaf and hard-of-hearing students from all over the world
  • Recognized as a prestigious "Diversity Champion" by INSIGHT into Diversity magazine for eight consecutive years
  • Nearly 2,600 international students from over 100 countries
  • 4,400 underrepresented students of color have elected to study at RIT

Learn more about diversity and inclusion at RIT

A female student and parent meet with a counselor

Our Commitment to Financially Supporting Students and Families

Because RIT receives special federal support, students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing and students enrolled in the ASL-English interpretation program pay less than one-half of RIT’s tuition rate. In addition to the tuition reduction, you’ll have a full array of financial aid options to help you cover the cost of education. 

  • RIT invests more than $260 million and distributes a total of $440 million to undergraduate students and families. 
  • You won't know how much you'll need to invest unless you apply for admission and complete the FAFSA

Learn more about applying for financial aid

RIT Kosovo Campus aerial image

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

Learn more about global experiences