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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Name: Campus Visit
Start: 2026-06-08T13:00:00
Location: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

RPI

Troy, New York 12180-3590

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

STEM-heavyUrbanGreek life

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.

Established

1824

Motto

"Knowledge and Thoroughness"

Mascot

Red HawksPuckman

Type

Private research university

Division

Division III

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58%Acceptance

1415SAT Avg

5,909Students

14:1Student:Faculty

83%Grad Rate

$102,051Earnings 10yr

$33,139Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate58.5%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1415

Reading & WritingMid: 700

650730

MathMid: 740

680770

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 33

3034

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Financial Aid

Pell Grant eligible

19%

First-generation

14%

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$61,884

Room & Board$17,530

Books & Supplies$1,310

Total Cost of Attendance$79,934

Average Net Price$33,139

Median Debt at Graduation$23,750

Monthly Payment (10yr)$252

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$21,009

$30–48K$24,670

$48–75K$25,624

$75–110K$33,615

$110K+$39,583

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

3.5%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$21,995

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

Peer Average

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

Student-faculty ratio

14:1

Programs (134)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

89%

Positive

Student Body

Undergrads

5,909

Gender Split

31% / 69%

Women / Men

First Generation

14%

Pell Grant Recipients

19%

Race & Ethnicity

White 43%

Black 5%

Hispanic 12%

Asian 21%

Two+ 5%

Int'l 9%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate83.2%

Freshman Retention88.7%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$83,054

10 Years$102,051

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News

#51

—

vs 2024

Forbes

#124

—

vs 2024

Wall Street Journal

#29

—

vs 2024

Washington Monthly

#117

—

vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Puckman

Ice hockeyHockey headed

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