RPI Admission Requirements

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RPI Admission Overview

RPI admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year RPI admitted 63.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.88 GPA (A) and SAT 1375-1510 / ACT 30-34. RPI is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

RPI is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

RPI Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

63.5%

Admission Standards

Exceptional

Applicant Competition

Low

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The RPI acceptance rate is 63.5%. Last year, 10,901 of 17,175 applicants were admitted. That is the 54th lowest acceptance rate in New York.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into RPI and can you get accepted?

RPI is a moderately competitive school to get into, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile. Getting an offer is relatively likely compared with more selective schools, but last year's class still posted a strong academic profile.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute typically attracts "A" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.88. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 12% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

RPI GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.88

Typical High School Grades

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.88

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at RPI typically have around a 3.88 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. RPI is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

33% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #7 in New York for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute freshmen
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	33.41%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	33.74%	Avg
3.50 to 3.74	20.65%	Reach
3.25 to 3.49	8.13%	Reach
3.00 to 3.24	2.85%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	0.98%	Reach
2.00 to 2.49	0.24%	Low
1.00 to 1.99	0%	Low
less than 1.00	0%	Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

RPI SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1375-1510

Freshmen who sent SAT

49%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 670
Math 705
Composite 1375

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 740
Math 770
Composite 1510

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at RPI typically score around a 1440 SAT (middle 50% 1375–1510) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 97th percentile nationally. RPI ranks #11 in the state of New York and #75 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1375 to 1510

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

RPI is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1440 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1510+	Above 75th	>76%
1440 to 1510	Avg +	63%-76%
1375 to 1440	Avg -	47%-63%
Below 1375	Below mid-50	<47%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

RPI ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

30-34

Freshmen reporting ACT

11%

25th Percentile Scores

English N/A
Math N/A
Composite 30

75th Percentile Scores

English N/A
Math N/A
Composite 34

Average ACT

Incoming testers at RPI typically have around a 32 ACT (mid-50 30–34) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 97th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. RPI places #9 among colleges in New York and #76 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 30 to 34

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to RPI without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 32.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
34+	Above 75th	>76%
32 to 34	Avg +	63%-76%
30 to 32	Avg -	47%-63%
Below 30	Below mid-50	<47%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

55% of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	55%
Top 25% of class	88%
Top 50% of class	97%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the RPI chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	6,000	11,175	17,175
Accepted	3,594	7,307	10,901
Acceptance Rate	60%	65%	63%
Enrolled	422	892	1,314
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	12%	12%	12%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Required to be considered for admission
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Required to be considered for admission

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2027

Days left to Apply

137

Applicants have 137 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is $70.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

RPI is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 63.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.88 GPA (about an A average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1375-1510); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025