Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

8/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Troy, NY
4.3 3 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in New York

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

7,040

Location Troy, New York
Website rpi.edu
Type Private 4 Year
Setting Small City

Best Colleges Rank

#130

Size Mid-size
Status Non-profit
Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Located in Troy, New York, approximately 150 miles north of New York City, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is a private technical research university established in 1824, making it the oldest technological research university in the English-speaking world. The 275-acre campus sits on a hillside overlooking the Hudson River, featuring a blend of historic 19th-century buildings and modern research facilities. As a leading engineering and science institution, RPI offers comprehensive programs in engineering, computing, architecture, and management, with particular strengths in computer science, aerospace engineering, and nuclear engineering. The university maintains a selective admission process and requires most undergraduate students to live on campus for their first two years, with housing options ranging from traditional residence halls to apartment-style living. The campus includes the Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (EMPAC), a distinctive technological and architectural achievement that serves as a hub for research and artistic production.

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Ratings

RPI is rated within the top 24% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 8 out of 10.

Overall Rating

8 out of 10
Academics

10 out of 10
Resources

8 out of 10
Outcomes

8 out of 10
Value

8 out of 10

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Rankings

Rankings for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Elite

SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1375/1510
ACT (enrolled mid-50) 30/34
GPA 3.88

Acceptance Rate

63.5%

Applications Due Jan 15, 2027
Enrollment Rate 12.1%
Application Fee $70

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Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$64,081

Costs for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Fee		Cost
Tuition		$64,081
Books and Supplies		$1,350
Other Fees		$1,581
Room and Board		$18,120
Budget for Other Expenses		$1,740
Total One Year Cost		$86,872

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$82,500 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

84% within 6 years

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Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are Engineering, Computer and Information Sciences, and Business. 53% of students major in Engineering, 9% in Computer and Information Sciences, and 8% in Business.