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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Private

Troy, NY

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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private mid-sized school in Troy, NY, enrolling about 5,714 undergraduates. Admissions are not highly selective, admitting a majority of applicants here -- roughly 63% of applicants get in. Its highest-earning reported major is Computer Science (Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services), where graduates report median earnings of $141,528/year four years out. Students are required to live on campus.

Admissions

Admit rate63%
SAT range1375–1510
ACT range30–34
Undergrads5,714
Yield (admits who enroll)18%
Next deadlineNov 1, 2026 (ED1)

Cost & outcomes

Cost of attendance$82,404
4-year grad rate83%
Median earnings, 10yr out$102,051

From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.

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How Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute weighs your application

From Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?

Academic factors
Rigor of secondary school recordVery important
Class rankVery important
Academic GPAVery important
Standardized test scoresConsidered
Application essayImportant
RecommendationsImportant
Nonacademic factors
InterviewNot considered
Extracurricular activitiesImportant
Talent/abilityConsidered
Character/personal qualitiesImportant
First generationConsidered
Alumni relation (legacy)Considered
Geographical residenceNot considered
State residencyNot considered
Religious affiliationNot considered
Volunteer workConsidered
Work experienceConsidered
Level of interest (demonstrated interest)Considered
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Paying it back

Undergrads taking federal loans51%
Loan balance still growing, 3yrs out92%

"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.

Majors & earnings

Architecture and Related Services
Architecture$75,551/yr
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Business Administration, Management and Operations$99,713/yr
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Computer Science$141,528/yr
Computer and Information Sciences, General$115,100/yr
Engineering
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$104,596/yr
Biomedical/Medical Engineering$103,306/yr
Chemical Engineering$98,679/yr
Industrial Engineering$98,509/yr
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering$94,750/yr
Mechanical Engineering$92,952/yr
Nuclear Engineering$87,239/yr
Civil Engineering$86,794/yr
Materials Engineering$82,947/yr
Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields
Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians$125,531/yr
Mathematics and Statistics
Mathematics$105,768/yr
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other$83,958/yr
Physical Sciences
Physics$81,840/yr
Visual and Performing Arts
Design and Applied Arts$87,358/yr

Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.

Campus life

On-campus housingYes
Required to live on campusYes
Dormitory capacity3,930
Typical room charge$9,370
Typical board charge$7,610

Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.

What matters in your application

GPARequired
Class rankRequired
RecommendationsRequired

From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.

Frequently asked questions

What does Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute look for in applicants?

Per Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates rigor of secondary school record, class rank, academic GPA as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.

What is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's acceptance rate?

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY admits approximately 63% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.

What SAT score do I need for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?

Admitted students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute typically score between 1375–1510 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).

What ACT score do I need for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?

Admitted students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute typically score between 30–34 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).

How much does Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute cost?

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's total cost of attendance is reported at $82,404 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.

When is the application deadline for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's earliest deadline is Nov 1, 2026 (ED1), per its own published admissions calendar.

Does Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute require students to live on campus?

Yes -- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute requires students to live in on-campus housing.

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