Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
About Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private research university in Troy, New York. It is the oldest technological university in the English-speaking world and is known for its engineering, computer science, and architecture programs.
Founded
1824
Location
Troy, New York
Students
7,013
Institution
Private
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
63.5%
Moderately selective
Graduation Rate
83.6%
Above national average
Tuition
$64,081
Per year
Avg Net Price
$36,228
After financial aid
SAT Average
1456
Out of 1600
Median Earnings
$102,051
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Selective
63.5 out of 100 applicants get in
How to Apply
Test Policy
Test Optional
Application Fee
$70
Early
Nov 15
Regular
Jan 15
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute accepts 63.5% of applicants and doesn't require standardized tests. Focus on your grades and personal statement, and you have a solid chance.
SAT Scores
1456/ 1600
ACT Scores
33/ 36
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Above Average
83.6% complete their degree within six years
Retention
90.7%
4-Year Grad
70%
6-Year Grad
84%
Teaching Quality
12:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
89.3%
$/Student
$20.7K
Class Size
Medium
70% of students graduate on time, and 89.3% of courses are taught by full-time faculty. That personal instruction helps keep students on track.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$64,081
Annual Tuition
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
$18,120
Books & Supplies
$1,350
Total Cost of Attendance
$82,404
After Financial Aid
$36,228
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$24,078
Receive Grants
19.9%
Take Loans
51%
The total cost of attendance runs about $82,404/yr, including $18,120 for room and board. After financial aid, the average student pays $36,228.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute fund their education.
While in School
19.9%
Get Grants
Free money
51%
Take Loans
Must repay
$96,975
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$23,750
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$252/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
Students typically graduate with $23,750 in debt, below the national median. That's a manageable amount for most career paths.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Gender
31.1%
Female
69%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
5,714
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
1,299
Graduates
13.7%
First-Gen
19 yrs
Avg Age
0.7%
Age 25+
Men make up the majority at 69% of the student body. 7.2% international students add diversity to the campus.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
City: Small
Campus Quick Facts
5,714
Students
private
Institution
Medium
Campus Size
R1 Research
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
No
Teacher Cert
No
ROTC
Yes
Evening College
No
Online Programs
No
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
What Students Say
Pros
- +Top engineering school with strong career placement
- +Troy is affordable compared to other Northeast cities
- +Small school with hands-on research opportunities
- +Beautiful hilltop campus overlooking the Hudson Valley
Cons
- -Troy is not an exciting college town
- -Academic workload is very demanding
- -Gender ratio skews heavily male
- -Administration-student relations have been tense
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute fields 12 varsity teams with 854 student athletes, about 15% of the student body.
Division
NCAA
Division III with football
Conference
Upstate
The league its teams compete in
Varsity Sports
12
Biggest: Track & Cross Country
Student Athletes
854
15% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
63% / 37%
536
Men
318
Women
10
Men's Teams
9
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Rensselaer Polytechnic Instituteearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$102,051
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Computer Science
$105K
250 grads
1yr Earnings
Mechanical Engineering
$74K
162 grads
1yr Earnings
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
$73K
117 grads
1yr Earnings
Mathematics
$80K
75 grads
1yr Earnings
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
$83K
69 grads
1yr Earnings
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
$74K
65 grads
1yr Earnings
Graduates start at $83K six years out, climb to $73K by year eight, and reach $102K by year ten. That upward trajectory shows the degree keeps paying off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
What is the acceptance rate at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?▾
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How much do Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.