Overview
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Troy, New York. There are currently 5,909 undergraduates at RPI and the school’s acceptance rate is 58%. The tuition at RPI is $61,884.
City
SupplementalEssay
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$82,404
$49,265
$33,139
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$82,404The sticker price at RPI is $82,404. This includes the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses.
The cost of attendance can vary from year to year and will typically rise over your four years in college. That said, colleges will recalculate your financial aid every year to take price increases and changes in your financial situation into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at RPI would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, you’ll need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year. That means you can submit the form even if you or your parents haven’t filed last year’s taxes.
The FAFSA code for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 002803.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out Scholarships360’s How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
Using State Grants at RPI
If you are a New York State resident considering RPI, be sure to investigate the TAP program. If you are attending a qualifying program and meet financial need requirements, you may receive thousands of dollars per year to put towards your education. Additionally, if you apply to a CUNY or SUNY school, you could be eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship, which would make your education tuition-free.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more New York scholarshipsPell Grants at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
18% of students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute receive Pell Grants.
The federal government awards Pell Grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA. Students with a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible. Pell Grants do not be repaid. If you receive a Pell Grant, the award amount should remain consistent at any college you gain admission to. You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Students can use outside scholarships to supplement their financial aid package at RPI. Outside scholarships are awards offered by private and non-profit organizations separate from their college. To browse vetted, reliable outside scholarships, check out our popular lists:
Admissions
58%
33
Coalition Colleges
RPI is a Coalition Member College, which means they have completed a vigorous vetting process from the Coalition for College to ensure that they “provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.” That also means you can apply to RPI via the Coalition Application. The Coalition Application makes it easy to obtain application fee waivers if you qualify. It’s also a great way to discover other colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to affordability and strong student outcomes.
Does RPI have a supplemental essay?
Yes, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute includes a supplemental essay in their application. Luckily, Scholarships360 has a free guide to help you answer RPI's essay prompt and stand out in the application process.
RPI Supplemental Essay Guide
Is RPI test-optional?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is test-optional, which means that applicants are permitted, but not required, to submit their standardized test scores. If you choose not to submit your scores, admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurriculars, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you aren’t sure whether to submit your standardized test scores, Scholarships360’s guide on whether to submit your test scores to test-optional schools can help.
What is the application deadline at RPI?
Early Decision I
Early Action
Early Decision II
Regular Decision
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
14:1
Graduation Rate
83%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Engineering
44%
44% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
21%
21% of graduates
Mathematics
5%
5% of graduates
Physical Sciences
5%
5% of graduates
Business, Management, & Marketing
5%
5% of graduates
Engineering
5%
5% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
4%
4% of graduates
Architecture
4%
4% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
3%
3% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
2%
2% of graduates
Health Professions & Related Programs
1%
1% of graduates
Psychology
1%
1% of graduates
Social Sciences
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
5,909
Pell Grant 19%
Undergrad Students Over 25 1%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 0%
Percent Male / Female 69% / 31%
Ethnic Diversity at RPI
43% White
21% Asian / Pacific Islander
12% Hispanic
9% International / Non-Citizen
5% Multiracial
5% Black
5% Unknown
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$102,051
Median Debt $23,750
Debt 10 years after graduation $252
Graduation Rate 83%
What is the graduation rate at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
83% of students who start at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute finish their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 25% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute go on to earn?
The median income of students 10 years after starting at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is $102,051. This is $51,660 more than the national median.
This data is from the College Scorecard, which only surveys students from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute who received federal financial aid.
Graduate earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Major and career path are two important factors in how much a student goes on to earn. For more information, check out Scholarships360’s article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at RPI take out in loans?
Graduates of RPI take out a median of $23,750 in federal student loans. As you make decisions about your college loans, be sure to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Scholarships360’s guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
If you represent Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and would like to make any corrections or supplement your college profile with additional information, you can fill out our free Premium Profile questionnaire here.
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