Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Founded in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is the oldest continuously operating technological research university in the United States. On top of the usual academic offerings, RPI has programs in current and emerging issues, including in renewable energy, cybersecurity, biotechnology, materials science, big data, and nanotechnology, as well as a number of theatrical and musical organizations like the RPI Players and Rensselyrics a cappella singers. The campus in Troy, NY, is situated on 275 acres featuring 746 labs, studios, and technology spaces used for research, 475 facilities used for academic classrooms, and one of the most powerful university-based supercomputers in the world.
Admissions
Key Admissions Stats
Institution Type
Private
- Not for Profit
- Coed
Need Blind
This school does not consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission
Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Small city
Admissions Requirements
SAT
No
ACT
No
Transcript
Yes
Important Deadlines
| Application Type | Application Deadline | Reply Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision Acceptance is binding so student must attend college if accepted. | November 1 | |
| Early Action Acceptance is not binding, but student will receive admissions decision earlier. | December 1 | |
| Fall Regular Decision | January 15 | May 1 |
| Other | December 15 |
Admitted Student Stats
15%
Submitting ACT
52%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 31
Average SAT Composite: 1399
Academics
Key Academic Stats
Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
6,968
Total Number of Undergrads
5,902
Classroom Sizes
0
100
74%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
87%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
12:1
US National: 21:1Tuition, Cost & Aid
Key Financial Stats
Tuition
| In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution. | $61,884 |
| Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school. | $61,884 |
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
| $17,530 |
| Books and Supplies | $1310 |
Aid & Grants
0
100
73%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
18%
Average Aid Per Year
$38,636
18%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$6,735
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$36,904
Student Loans
Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
57%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$10,092
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$22,258
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$239
Campus Life
Key Campus Stats
Student Gender
Student Organizations
204
Size of Town
Small city
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
No
Housing
0
100
57%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
Yes
Athletics
Divisional Sports Nickname
Engineers
School Colors
cherry and white
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association
Campus Safety
24-HR security patrol
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Yes
After Graduation
Post Grad Stats
Top 5 Cities
New York
Albany
Boston
San Francisco
Washington
Employed
6 mos. after graduation
47%
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$86,000
What Students Are Saying
RPI is a great engineering school with the prefect combo of old and new. The campus has a nice feeling and the students and very helpful. Amazing education paired with a great campus, student body, and a good surrounding town.
Michaela from Brewster, NY
The academics are very difficult but rewarding. The professors know their stuff and are very accessible outside of class room hours. The students are all brilliant but are typically quite socially though less so than other major tech universities.
Benjamin from Scotts Valley, CA
The ratio is definitely noticeable, but not a huge deal once you consider how many guys don't come out of their rooms to socialize. The courses are tough, so we work hard during the week (and a bit on the weekend), and then play hard on weekends. Ice hockey games are the best to watch with friends!!
Eryka from Bogart, GA
RPI is a challenging school and is for those who are technically oriented. I was always the top of my class in high school and now I fight for every A, which is the challenge I was looking for all my life. If someone does not like the idea of being required to take physics and calculus, this school is not for you. However, there aren't any true English classes, so there is a trade-off. What everyone hears about the ratio is true, there are far more males than females, but this is the nature of an engineering school that used to be all-male.
Hannah
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