Campus Vibe
Top graduate earnings — known for engineering
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private institution in Troy with particular strength in engineering and computer science. With an average SAT of 1415, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.
A mid-sized campus of 5.9K undergraduates with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.
83% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $102,051 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $33,139.
Campus Visits
Plan Your Visit
News & Alerts
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Launches New Data Science Minor
Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.
Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27
The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.
Admissions
SAT Score Ranges
Average: 1415
ACT Score Range
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Financial Aid
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
50.0%
Avg Tuition Increase
3.2%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$21,995
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
46
Peer Average
37
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Academics
Programs (134)
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
89%
- •89% first-year retention rate
- •Active student organizations
- •Engaged campus community
Mental Health Services
Counselor Ratio
1:350
24/7 Crisis Line
Yes
Free Sessions
12 per year
Avg Wait
5 days
Walk-in hours available weekdays
Disability Services
ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements
Dining
Rating
★★★★☆
Score
4/5
Meal Plan
$6,200/yr
Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Rankings
More About This School
Varsity Sports — Puckman
History & Fun Facts
- •He appointed Amos Eaton as the school's first senior professor and appointed the first board of trustees.
- •The school opened on Monday, 5 January 1825 at the Old Bank Place, a building at the north end of Troy.
- •Tuition was around $40 per semester (equivalent to $800 in 2012).
- •Fourteen months of successful trial led to the incorporation of the school on 21 March 1826 by the state of New York.
Source: Wikipedia
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Housing and food costs are higher than national average