About Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
RPI builds the engineers and technologists who shape tomorrow's world. The 5,909-student campus in Troy produces graduates who invented the Ferris wheel and the microprocessor, carrying forward a tradition that started in 1824. Students dive deep into rigorous technical programs where the motto "Why not change the world?" drives both classroom learning and research breakthroughs.
The sticker price hits $80,724, but most families pay far less. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $21,009 after aid. Even those from higher-income households typically see their costs drop to around $39,583. Graduates earn a median $102,051 ten years out, making the typical debt load of $23,750 very manageable. With monthly loan payments averaging $252 and a 91.68% repayment rate, the financial math works in students' favor.
The student body skews heavily male at 69.27%, reflecting engineering's gender gap. Competition runs fierce with a 1440 average SAT score among admitted students. Athletes make up a significant chunk of campus life with 645 students competing across 19 varsity sports. The 88.71% retention rate suggests students find their academic home, even when the coursework pushes them hard.
The sticker price hits $80,724, but most families pay far less. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $21,009 after aid. Even those from higher-income households typically see their costs drop to around $39,583. Graduates earn a median $102,051 ten years out, making the typical debt load of $23,750 very manageable. With monthly loan payments averaging $252 and a 91.68% repayment rate, the financial math works in students' favor.
The student body skews heavily male at 69.27%, reflecting engineering's gender gap. Competition runs fierce with a 1440 average SAT score among admitted students. Athletes make up a significant chunk of campus life with 645 students competing across 19 varsity sports. The 88.71% retention rate suggests students find their academic home, even when the coursework pushes them hard.
Academics & Faculty
RPI is one of America's oldest technological research universities, dating back to 1824. Engineering dominates the academic landscape here, with programs that consistently rank among the nation's top tier. The 14:1 student-faculty ratio ensures close mentorship in demanding technical coursework. Students tackle rigorous STEM curricula in aerospace, biomedical, computer, and mechanical engineering. The school's strong industry partnerships mean undergraduates often work on real-world projects with major corporations. With an 83% four-year graduation rate, most students successfully navigate the challenging academic environment. Architecture and computer science programs also draw national recognition. The research university model means undergraduates can participate in modern projects alongside faculty developing tomorrow's technologies.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 87.0%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 83.5%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 83.2%
- Retention Rate
- 88.7%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $102,051
- Carnegie Classification
- Doctoral University (R1)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | Master | $119,061 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $92,277 |
| Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $88,933 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. | Master | $88,506 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Master | $88,198 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $87,973 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $87,532 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Master | $81,702 |
| Applied Mathematics. | Master | $81,333 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | Master | $79,284 |
Campus Life
Students at RPI wake up to views of the Hudson River Valley from their hilltop campus overlooking Troy. The campus houses 66% of its 5,909 students in residence halls that range from traditional dorms to modern apartment-style living. Troy sits 150 miles north of New York City and 10 miles from Albany, giving students access to internships and job opportunities without big-city expenses.
Winter dominates the academic calendar with heavy snow lasting from December through March. Students bundle up in parkas and boots for the trek between classes. The 14:1 student-faculty ratio means small class sizes where professors know your name, especially important given RPI's rigorous engineering curriculum. With 69% male enrollment, the gender imbalance shapes social actives on campus.
Weekends revolve around hockey games at the Houston Field House, where students pack the stands to cheer on the Engineers. The campus empties somewhat as 70% of students come from out of state, but those who stay find plenty to do in nearby Albany or outdoor activities in the Adirondacks.
Winter dominates the academic calendar with heavy snow lasting from December through March. Students bundle up in parkas and boots for the trek between classes. The 14:1 student-faculty ratio means small class sizes where professors know your name, especially important given RPI's rigorous engineering curriculum. With 69% male enrollment, the gender imbalance shapes social actives on campus.
Weekends revolve around hockey games at the Houston Field House, where students pack the stands to cheer on the Engineers. The campus empties somewhat as 70% of students come from out of state, but those who stay find plenty to do in nearby Albany or outdoor activities in the Adirondacks.
- Setting
- City-Small
- Housing Capacity
- 3,899 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1824
Campus Safety (2023)
39 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rape | 6 | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Burglary | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Stalking | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fondling | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Dating Violence | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 14°–31°F
- July Avg
- 62°–83°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 40.8"
- Annual Snowfall
- -740.9"
Student Demographics
RPI draws ambitious students who want to build things and solve problems through technology. Men outnumber women more than two to one, reflecting the engineering-heavy curriculum that defines this institution. The student body pulls from across the country, with only about 30% from New York state, showing RPI's national reputation for producing top-tier engineers. Asian students make up over 20% of enrollment, typical for top STEM schools. Despite the $80,724 total cost, nearly one in five students receives Pell Grants, indicating RPI actively recruits talented students regardless of family income.
- Men
- 69.3%
- Women
- 30.7%
- White
- 42.7%
- Black
- 5.2%
- Hispanic
- 11.8%
- Asian
- 21.3%
- In-State Students
- 30.1%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 18.7%
Location
Troy sits about 10 miles north of Albany, New York's capital city. The campus overlooks the Hudson River in an industrial city of roughly 50,000 residents. RPI enrolls 5,909 students in this small urban setting that blends historic architecture with tech industry presence. Troy has transformed from its 19th-century manufacturing roots into a growing center for startups and innovation. The surrounding Capital Region offers easy access to outdoor recreation in the Adirondacks and Green Mountains. About 30% of students come from within New York state. The city provides an authentic college experience without the distractions of a major metropolitan area. Students considering colleges in New York may also compare RPI with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Troy, New York 12180-3590
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $102,051
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $102,764
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $66,700
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 91.7%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $252/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $23,750
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
RPI accepts 64.51% of applicants with middle 50% SAT scores ranging from 1360 to 1520. The school attracts serious STEM students who understand RPI's reputation for rigorous engineering and technology programs.
How much does Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute cost after financial aid?
While tuition runs $61,884, the average net price drops to $33,139 after aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $21,009 on average, making this top tech school surprisingly accessible.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
RPI maintains a 14:1 student-faculty ratio with 5,909 total students. The campus culture revolves around hands-on engineering projects and close mentorship from professors who often have deep industry connections.
What do graduates of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn after graduation?
RPI graduates earn a median of $102,051 ten years after graduation with a 95.2% employment rate. The school's motto 'Why not change the world?' reflects its track record of producing innovators like the inventors of email and the microprocessor.
Where is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute located and what is campus life like?
The campus sits in Troy, New York, a small city setting that houses 3,899 students on campus. With 69.27% male enrollment, RPI has the feel of a tech-focused community where students bond over challenging problem sets and 19 NCAA Division III sports teams.
Is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute known for any particular programs or achievements?
Founded in 1824, RPI is one of America's oldest technological universities with alumni who invented the Ferris wheel, email, and the microprocessor. The retention rate of 88.71% reflects how students thrive in this demanding but supportive engineering environment.
