Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private research university in Troy, New York, serving roughly 5,714 students. Admission is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of about 63.47% in federal reporting data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $102,051 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $64,081
- 2024 Average Net Price: $36,228 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 63.47% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 5,714 99.1% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 83.62%
- Average SAT Score: 1456
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: what the data shows
Common questions about Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is located in Troy, NY (ZIP 12180-3590).
NCES locale classification: Town.
Is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute public or private?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute cost?
Published tuition: $64,081.
Average net price after aid: $36,228.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $24,078 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $26,289 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $28,212 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $36,230 |
| $110,001+ | $42,541 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $256,324.
How hard is it to get into Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Admission rate: 63.47%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1456 and midpoint ACT 33.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Total enrollment: 5,714 students.
About 99% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
150%-time completion rate: 83.62%.
First-year retention: 90.7%.
What do graduates of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn?
Median earnings: $83,054 six years after entry; $102,051 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $23,750.
19.92% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Other/Unknown Programs (1,783 completions)
- Computer Science (259 completions)
- Mechanical Engineering (194 completions)
- CIP 140201 (120 completions)
- Area Studies (104 completions)
- Electrical & Electronics Engineering (84 completions)
- CIP 520201 (78 completions)
- CIP 140701 (70 completions)
- CIP 140801 (68 completions)
- CIP 151202 (60 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 63.47%; completion rate 83.62%; median earnings $102,051 at 10 years; net price $36,228. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Costs
Tuition Costs
$64,081
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute was $64,081.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$36,228
2024 Value
In 2024 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $36,228.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$144,912 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$36,228 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$256,324 4-Year Tuition
Costs include tuition and fees. Room & board, books, and other expenses are additional.
4-year total cost breakdown for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Financial Aid by Income Level
19.92% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
50.99% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $46,269 | $46,269 | $32,986 |
| 2014 | $47,908 | $47,908 | $33,595 |
| 2015 | $49,341 | $49,341 | $34,841 |
| 2016 | $50,797 | $50,797 | $33,629 |
| 2017 | $52,305 | $52,305 | $34,839 |
| 2018 | $53,880 | $53,880 | $36,159 |
| 2019 | $55,378 | $55,378 | $35,464 |
| 2020 | $57,012 | $57,012 | $33,937 |
| 2021 | $58,526 | $58,526 | $31,456 |
| 2022 | $60,074 | $60,074 | $34,399 |
| 2023 | $61,884 | $61,884 | $33,139 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
63.47% Acceptance Rate
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1456
ACT Average: 33
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.7 - 3.9
Estimated Median GPA: 3.80
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
99.1% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2024 is 5,714 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
90.7%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
71.69% 100% Completion Time
83.62% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 71.69% of students graduating from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Return on Investment
$23,750 Median Student Debt
$102,051 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
23.27% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
604.23% Return on Investment
2.3 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Top Programs by Completions
10 Programs Reporting Data
Computer Science: 259 completions
Mechanical Engineering: 194 completions
CIP 14.0201: 120 completions
Area Studies: 104 completions
Electrical & Electronics Engineering: 84 completions
CIP 52.0201: 78 completions
CIP 14.0701: 70 completions
CIP 14.0801: 68 completions
CIP 15.1202: 60 completions
Other/Unknown Programs: 1,783 completions
Most popular programs at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates.
About
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private non-profit institution located in Troy, NY, offering 56 distinct degree programs across various academic disciplines. The institution enrolls approximately 5,714 students. The admission rate is 63.47%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1456. The institution maintains a 83.62% graduation rate. Approximately 19.92% of students receive Pell Grants.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Location
Troy, NY 12180-3590
Region: Mid East
Insights and Analysis
Exceptional Graduation Rate: With a 83.62% graduation rate, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute demonstrates strong student retention and completion. This rate significantly exceeds the national average, indicating effective academic support and student services.
Strong Career Outcomes: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates report median earnings of $102,051 ten years after entry, placing them among the higher-earning college graduates nationally. This strong earnings potential reflects both the quality of education and the career opportunities available to graduates.
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 56 distinct degree programs, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
FAQ
How much does Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute cost?
Reported in-state tuition is $64,081 and average net price is $36,228 in the latest College Scorecard data.
How hard is it to get into Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
The admission rate is 63.5% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data.
What test scores do students need for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute reports midpoint SAT about 1456 and midpoint ACT about 33.
What do graduates of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn?
Median earnings are $83,054 six years after entry and $102,051 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
The 150%-time completion rate is 83.6% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $23,750.
How big is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
Total enrollment is about 5,714 students in the latest reporting year.
Is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute public or private?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private nonprofit institution located in Troy, NY.
Is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute an HBCU?
No. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute a tribal college?
No. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI)?
Using a 25% Hispanic enrollment threshold on College Scorecard demographics, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute does not meet that proxy (reported share 10.9%).
Is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute religiously affiliated?
No religious affiliation is reported for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in IPEDS institutional characteristics.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.