This was just posted on another thread - while it’s not RPI vs. UVM; it’s W&M vs. UVM but the writer had some observations that might help you:
Have you gone to accepted student days at either/both schools? My daughter was also accepted to both, with honors college and great scholarship at UVM and Monroe Scholars and a smaller scholarship at W&M. We went to both schools’ accepted student days. UVM, she knew within minutes of arriving on campus that it was not for her. W&M, she fell in love before the formal program even started, and it only got better from there. It’s about $15k more per year, but neither would require loans or hardship, and we’re happy to pay that for what is clearly a school more likely to set her up for a better experience, for her. UVM may be better for someone else. We wouldn’t have known, without visiting. She’s a STEM girl too, environmental engineering at UVM and chemistry at W&M. The engineering school programming at UVM was underwhelming for her, and science presentations so exciting and inspiring.
UVM or William and Mary for STEM - Compare College Acceptances - College Confidential Forums