Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY · Small city
Admissions
- Acceptance rate (most recent year)
- 63.5%
- Applicants (fall 2023)
- 16,283
- Admitted (fall 2023)
- 9,517
- Enrolled freshmen (fall 2023)
- 1,552
- Yield (admitted who enroll)
- 16%
- Acceptance rate – women (fall 2023)
- 58%
- Acceptance rate – men (fall 2023)
- 59%
- SAT reading, middle 50%
- 670–740
- SAT math, middle 50%
- 705–770
- ACT composite, middle 50%
- 30–34
- Enrollees who sent SAT / ACT
- 57% / 13%
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey, fall 2023 entering class; test ranges and rate from U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
What they look at
- High school GPA
- required
- High school class rank
- required
- High school record (transcript)
- required
- College-prep program completed
- required
- Recommendations
- required
- Demonstration of competencies
- required
- SAT/ACT scores
- considered
- English proficiency test (TOEFL etc.)
- required
- Other test
- not considered
- Work experience
- considered
- Personal statement or essay
- required
- Legacy status
- not considered
“Considered” means the college uses it if you submit it, but it isn’t required.
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) for first-time, full-time students who got aid, by family income.
- Full sticker price (per year)
- $82,404
- Tuition & fees – in-state
- $64,081
- Tuition & fees – out-of-state
- $64,081
- Median debt at graduation
- $23,750
- Students with federal loans
- 51%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Outcomes
- Graduate within 6 years
- 84%
- Freshmen who return for year 2
- 91%
- Median earnings, 1 year after graduating
- $75,120
- Median earnings, 10 years after starting
- $102,051
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Students & campus
- Undergraduates
- 5,714
- Graduate students
- 1,299
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- 14 : 1
- Women
- 31%
- Students receiving Pell grants
- 20%
- Full-time faculty
- 89%
Undergraduate diversity
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Most popular majors
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release) (share of bachelor’s degrees awarded)
Contacts & links
- President
- Martin A Schmidt
- Main phone
- (518) 276-6000
- Address
- 110 8th St, Troy, NY 12180-3590
How to apply (2026–27)
| Plan | Apply by | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision (binding) | November 1 | December 12 |
| Early Action | December 1 | January 30 |
| Early Decision II (binding) | January 6 | January 16 |
| Regular Decision | January 15 | March 6 |
- Apply with
- Common App, Own application
- Application fee
- $70 (waivers available)
- SAT/ACT
- Optional
- Essays
- None, except B.S./M.D. and Architecture program essays
- Recommendations
- 1 letter from counselor or teacher (math/science teacher preferred)
- Interview
- not offered
Testing: Test-optional for fall 2027 applicants; no fee if submitted by December 1
Financial aid policies
- CSS Profile required (plus FAFSA)
- Merit scholarships: U.S. citizen/permanent resident applicants automatically considered for merit awards
Early rounds & waitlist (2025-2026)
- Early Decision admit rate
- 69.1% (219 of 317)
- Waitlist: offered / accepted / admitted
- 1,008 / 599 / 6
Source: the college’s official website and Common Data Set 2025-2026: undergrad.admissions.rpi.edu, undergrad.admissions.rpi.edu, undergrad.admissions.rpi.edu, financialaid.rpi.edu. Dates can change, so always confirm on the college’s site.