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Troy , NY
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, commonly known as RPI, is a private research university located in Troy, New York. Founded in 1824, it is the oldest technological research university in the United States. RPI is renowned for its strong focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, and it offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in these fields.
RPI is known for its rigorous academic programs and commitment to hands-on learning. The university places a heavy emphasis on experiential learning and practical application of knowledge. Students have numerous opportunities to engage in research projects, internships, co-op programs, and entrepreneurial activities, allowing them to gain real-world experience and prepare for successful careers in their chosen fields.
Moreover, RPI is home to several research centers and institutes that contribute to groundbreaking advancements in various disciplines. The university's faculty members are highly accomplished and well-respected researchers, often collaborating with industry partners and government agencies. RPI's research efforts are focused on areas such as energy, nanotechnology, biotechnology, data science, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, among others.
In addition to its academic and research excellence, RPI is known for its vibrant campus life and strong sense of community. The university offers a variety of extracurricular activities, clubs, and organizations that cater to a wide range of interests. RPI also boasts a rich athletic tradition, competing in NCAA Division III sports and offering numerous intramural and club sports for students to participate in. Overall, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute provides a comprehensive and well-rounded educational experience that prepares students for success in their chosen careers in STEM fields.
Located in Troy, NY, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private four-year college. This school uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 63%. The freshman retention rate at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 91% and the six-year graduation rate is 84%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is January 15. Learn more about what Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
5,743
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$64,400
Tuition
14:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
84%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. Here are the most essential facts you need to know about admission policy and requirements at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
According to the most recent data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 10,906 in 2025. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores for the candidates who choose to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
49% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 11% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 74% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 25% between 1,200 and 1,399 and 1% between 1,000 and 1,199. The percent of new students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 82, 17 between 24-29 and 1 in the range between 18-23.
The ACT composite average score for all the accepted students in 2025 was 32 while the average GPA was 3.8. This implies that you'll probably need a GPA above the average to secure admission, as well as an above-average ACT score.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 704 for the accepted students, while the average SAT Math score was 735.
Deadlines
The closing date for applications to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is January 15.
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute was 91%, which is an excellent retention rate only the most prestigious institutions achieve.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 84%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Picking a school that is the best fit for you is not a simple task. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a clearer picture of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2025 was 7,049.
That year, the school had 63% of students coming from another state. There was a total of 5,743 undergraduate students, including 408 international students. 47 students were admitted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 4,621 male and 2,117 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to focusing on the diversity of its student body and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
This school had 1,233 Asian students and 282 Afro-American students in 2025. 621 students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 314 as multirace. The school also had 3 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 1 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 279 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you send an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. Here are some important data on Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition cost for this university.
As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $64,400 in 2025. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2025 were obliged to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,624.
Books and Supplies
Another important expense to consider is the estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university. Most students have to spend about $1,380 for books and supplies during their time at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What do schools typically charge for room and board?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute was $18,560 in 2025. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school totaled $9,750, according to the data from 2025. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $9,750.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 64,400 |
| Room and Board | $ 18,560 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,380 |
| Total Expense | $ 84,340 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all different types of financial aid available to students. If you are interested in finding out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, here are some recent data you should consider.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 1,031 freshmen.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
There were 3,439 students who attained need-based financial aid of any kind. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution summed up to $9,943,859, and state $2,382,038. The students of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $148,791,760, and external in the amount of $7,873,380.
$32,191
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
3,405 students, including freshmen, got institutional non-need-based financial aid at this school in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 1,028 full-time freshmen. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $9,943,859 while the state aid is $3,036,422. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $63,942,411. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $1,781,413 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Open Applications
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Majors
Faculty
14:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
In 2025, this ratio at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute was 14:1. That means that there were 14 times more students than teachers at this school. According to the most recent information, there are 526 teachers at this school. Out of that number, there were 381 male and 145 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some details about social life at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
It has a campus size of 297 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 210. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 24 and female students 14. The student organization that is most favored by students is RPI Ambulance, followed by Black Students Alliance and Outing Club. Other popular student organizations at this school are Rensselaer Music Association and Humans vs Zombies.
If acting is an interest of yours, there is a drama club you can join. Interested in media and communication? Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, there are many amenities required for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. Dormitory entrances at the school are electronically operated. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services and Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
All in all, campus life at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Career Counselling
At Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Knowing what salary you can expect once you have completed your studies can help you decide if a certain school matches your career goals.
Students who find employment within six months of graduating can expect an average base annual starting salary of 83,575 USD.
$83,575
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is located in Troy, NY.
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According to the latest information, the tuition for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 64,400 USD a year.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 63%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 91%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.