Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, founded in 1824, is a private, technical institution. It educates the leaders of tomorrow's technologically based companies. Programs are offered through the Schools of Architecture, Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences, Management, and Science. The education takes place in state-of-the-art classrooms with revitalized undergraduate curricula that have won three prestigious awards in the last two years. Hands-on undergraduate research and team-based projects are the hallmark of an exciting and rigorous curriculum. Campus life beyond the classroom includes 23 NCAA sports and over 130 clubs and governmental activities. Its 260-acre campus is located in Troy, 15 miles from Albany.
Website: www.rpi.edu/
Admission
- Entrance Difficulty
- Very difficult
- Overall Admission Rate
- 43% of 19,505 applicants were admitted
- Early Action Offered
- No
- Early Decision Offered
- Yes
- Regular Admission Deadline
- January 15
Qualifications of Enrolled Freshmen
- Average GPA
- 3.78
- SAT Math
- 680-770 range of middle 50%
- SAT EBRW
-
677 average
640-730 range of middle 50% - ACT Composite
- 30 average
28-32 range of middle 50%
Money Matters
- Cost of Attendance
- $71,998
- Tuition and Fees
- $53,880
- Room and Board
- $15,260
- Average Percent of Need Met
- 82%
- Average Freshman Award
- $42,575
- Average Indebtedness of 2018 Graduates
- $34,595
Academics
- Academic Calendar System
- Semester
- General Education/Core Curriculum
- Required for most or all students
- Full-Time Faculty Teaching Undergraduates
- 467
- Regular Class Size
- 2-9 students: 23% of classes
10-19 students: 27% of classes
20-29 students: 16% of classes
30-39 students: 12% of classes
40-49 students: 8% of classes
50-99 students: 10% of classes
Over 100 students: 3% of classes
Campus Life
- Troy Population
- 49,974
- Nearest Metropolitan Area
- Albany, NY
- Freshman Housing Guarantee
- Freshmen are guaranteed housing
- Students in College Housing
- 57% of all students
- Athletic Conferences
- NCAA Division III
- Mascot
- Red Hawk
- Sororities
- 16% of women participate
- Fraternities
- 21% of men participate
Students
- Ethnicity of Students from U.S.
- 0.1% American Indian/Alaskan Native
13.7% Asian
4.6% Black/African-American
10.4% Hispanic/Latino
7.8% Multi-race (not Hispanic/Latino)
0.0% Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander
61.8% White
1.6% Unknown - International Students
- 13.6% from 39 countries
- First-Year Students Returning
- 93.0%
- Students Graduating Within 4 Years
- 61.0%
- Graduates Offered Full-Time Employment Within 6 Months
- 63%
- Graduates Pursuing Advanced Study Directly
- 24.0%
Freshman Admission Requirements
Entrance Difficulty
Very Difficult: More than 50% of freshmen were in the top 10% of their high school class and scored over 1230 on the SAT I or over 26 on the ACT; about 60% or fewer of all applicants accepted.
High School Preparation
- High School Graduation
- High school diploma required and GED is accepted
- High School Program
- College preparatory program is required
High School Units Required or Recommended
Subject | Required Units | Recommended Units |
---|---|---|
English | 4 | |
Mathematics | 4 | |
Science | 3 | 4 |
Foreign Language | ||
Social Studies | 2 | 3 |
History | ||
Academic Electives |
Examinations
Exam | Required Units | Scores Due in Admissions Office |
---|---|---|
SAT or ACT | Required | December 31 |
SAT Only | ||
ACT Only | ||
SAT and SAT Subject Tests, or ACT | Required for some | December 31 |
SAT Subject Tests Only | Considered if submitted | |
SAT Essay Component Policy | Accepted with or without essay component | |
ACT Writing Test Policy | Accepted with or without writing component | |
ACT Writing Test Policy | SAT: Used for admission ACT: Used for admission |
Applying for Admission
Admissions Office
- Address
- 110 8th Street
- City, State, Zip
- Troy, NY 12180-3590
- Phone
- (518) 276-6216
- Fax
- (518) 276-4072
- admissions@rpi.edu
Application Dates and Fees
- Regular Admisson Deadline
- January 15
- Application Fee
- $70
- Application Fee Waiver
- Available
- Regular Admission Notification
- March 12
- Accept Offer of Admission
- May 1
- Waiting List Used
- Yes
- Defer Admission
- Student can defer admission
- Transfer Admission
- Transfer applications accepted
Early Admission
- Early Decision Offered
- Yes
- Early Decision Deadline
- November 1, December 15
- Early Decision Notification
- December 10, January 14
- Early Action Offered
- No
- Early Action Deadline
- Early Action Notification
Application Form
- Common Application
- Accepted, supplemental forms required
- Universal College Application
- Not accepted
- Electronic Application
- Available
Other Application Requirements
- Interview
- Not Required
- Essay or Personal Statement
- Required for some freshmen
- Letters of Recommendation
- 1 recommended for all freshmen
- Other
- Portfolio for electronic arts recommended for some freshmen
- Financial Need
- Financial need is not a consideration in the admissions process
Selection of Students
Factor | Very Important | Important | Considered | Not Considered |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rigor of Secondary School Record | X | |||
Academic GPA | X | |||
Standardized Tests | X | |||
Class Rank | X | |||
Recommendations | X | |||
Essay | X | |||
Interview | X | |||
Level of Applicant's Interest | X | |||
Extracurricular Activities | X | |||
Volunteer Work | X | |||
Particular Talent/Ability | X | |||
Character/Personal Qualities | X | |||
First Generation to Attend College | X | |||
State Residency | X | |||
Geographic Residence | X | |||
Relation with Alumnus | X | |||
Religious Affiliation/Commitment | X | |||
Ethnicity | X | |||
Work Experience | X |
Profile of Fall Admission
- Overall Admission Rate
- 43% of 19,505 applicants were admitted
- Women
- 47% of 6,030 applicants were admitted
- Men
- 42% of 13,475 applicants were admitted
- Students Enrolled
- 1,663 (20%) of 8,420 admitted students enrolled
- Women
- 499 (18%) of 2,816 admitted students enrolled
- Men
- 1,164 (21%) of 5,604 admitted students enrolled
- Early Decision Admission Rate
- 57% of 903 applicants were admitted
- Early Action Admission Rate
- Students Offered Wait List
- 4,803
- Students Accepting Wait List Position
- 2,662
- Students Admitted From Wait List
- 22
Grade Point Average of Enrolled Freshmen (4.0 scale)
- Average GPA
- 3.78
- 3.75 and Above
- 66%
- 3.50 - 3.74
- 23%
- 3.25 - 3.49
- 7%
- 3.00 - 3.24
- 3%
- 2.50 - 2.99
- 1%
- 2.00 - 2.49
SAT Scores of Enrolled Freshmen
- SAT Math
- 680-770 range of middle 50%
- Score of 700 - 800
- 69%
- Score of 600 - 700
- 28%
- Score of 500 - 600
- 3%
- Score of 400 - 500
- 0%
- Score of 300 - 400
- 0%
- Score of 200 - 300
- 0%
- SAT EBRW
- 677 average
640-730 range of middle 50% - Score of 700 - 800
- 43%
- Score of 600 - 700
- 47%
- Score of 500 - 600
- 10%
- Score of 400 - 500
- 0%
- Score of 300 - 400
- 0%
- Score of 200 - 300
- 0%
ACT Scores of Enrolled Freshmen
- ACT Composite
- 30 average
28-32 range of middle 50% - Score of 30 - 36
- 53%
- Score of 24 - 29
- 43%
- Score of 18 - 23
- 4%
- Score of 12 - 17
- 0%
- Score of 6 - 11
- 0%
- Score of 5 or Below
- 0%
Other Qualifications of Enrolled Freshmen
- High School Class Rank
- Top tenth: 63%
Top quarter: 91%
Top half: 98% - National Merit Scholar
- 2%
- Valedictorian
- 3%
- Class President
- Not reported
- Student Government Officer
- Not reported
Tuition and Expenses
- Cost of Attendance
- $71,998
- Tuition and Fees
- $53,880
- Room and Board
- $15,260
- Books and Supplies
- $2,858
- Other Expenses
- Not reported
- Payment Plans
- Installment plan
Applying for Financial Aid
Financial Aid Office
- admissions@rpi.edu
- Web Site
- Financial Aid Web Site
- Net Price Calculator URL
- Net Price Calculator URL
Application Process
- Application Deadline
- Priority deadline February 1
- Award Notification
- On or about March 15
- Methodology for Awarding Institutional Aid
- Federal and Institutional Methodologies
Forms Required | Cost to File |
---|---|
FAFSA Code is 002803 |
Free |
CSS/Financial Aid Profile | $25 for first college, $16 each additional |
Profile of 2018 - 19 Financial Aid
Freshman
- Financial Aid Applicants
- 1,310 (73.9%) of freshmen
- Found to Have Financial Need
- 1,040 (80.6%) of applicants
- Received Financial Aid
- 1,040 (100.0%) of applicants with financial need
- Need Fully Met
- 221 (22.0%) of aid recipients
- Average Percent of Need Met
- 82%
- Average Award
- $42,575
- Need-Based Gift
- Received by 1,040 (100.0%) of aid recipients, average amount $38,861
- Need-Based Self-Help
- Received by 1,031 (99.4%) of aid recipients, average amount $3,622
- Merit-Based Gift
- Received by 192 (18.5%) of aid recipients
- Merit-Based Gift
- 452 (22.0%) of freshmen had no financial need and received merit aid, average amount $21,836
All Undergraduates
- Financial Aid Applicants
- 4,331 (65.7%) of undergraduates
- Found to Have Financial Need
- 3,787 (87.4%) of applicants
- Received Financial Aid
- 3,787 (100.0%) of applicants with financial need
- Need Fully Met
- 607 (17.4%) of aid recipients
- Average Percent of Need Met
- 78%
- Average Award
- $41,327
- Need-Based Gift
- Received by 3,787 (100.0%) of aid recipients, average amount $37,236
- Need-Based Self-Help
- Received by 3,684 (97.7%) of aid recipients, average amount $4,377
- Merit-Based Gift
- Received by 444 (11.8%) of aid recipients
- Merit-Based Gift
- 1,751 (26.4%) of undergraduates had no financial need and received merit aid, average amount $20,389
Borrowing
- 2018 Graduates Who Took Out Loans
- 63%
- Average Indebtedness of 2018 Graduates
- $34,595
- Parents of Students Receiving Aid
- Not reported
- Parents of Students Not Receiving Aid
- Not reported
Financial Aid Programs
Loans
- Federal Loans
- Direct subsidized Stafford loans, direct unsubsidized Stafford loans, direct PLUS loans, Federal Perkins loans
- State Loans
- Other Loans
- College/university loans
Scholarships and Grants
- Need-Based Available
- Federal Pell grants, SEOG, State scholarships, Institutional scholarships, Private scholarships, Academic Competitiveness Grants, National SMART Grants, Gates Millennium Scholarships
- Non-Need–Based Available
- None
Non-Need Awards
- Academic Interest/Achievement Award Areas
- Humanities, Mathematics, Military Science
- Number of Awards
- Not reported
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
- Creative Arts/Performance Award Areas
- Not reported
- Number of Awards
- Not reported
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
- Special Achievements/Activities Award Areas
- Not reported
- Number of Awards
- Not reported
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
- Special Characteristics Award Areas
- Children and Siblings of Alumni, Children of Faculty/Staff, Ethnic Background, Members of Minorities
- Number of Awards
- Not reported
- Top Areas (By Money Awarded)
Employment
- Work-Study Programs
- Federal work study available
- Average Earnings from On-Campus Employment
- $1,989
- Academic Calendar System
- Semester
- Summer Session
- Offered
- General Catalog/Bulletin
- Online Catalog
Undergraduate Education
Undergraduate Majors
- Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical/Space Engineering
- Architecture
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Other
- Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering
- Bioinformatics
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General
- Business Administration and Management, General
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry, General
- Civil Engineering, General
- Cognitive Science
- Computer Science
- Computer Technology/Computer Systems Technology
- Design and Visual Communications, General
- Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia
- Economics, General
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Engineering Physics/Applied Physics
- Engineering Science
- Engineering, General
- Environmental Science
- Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
- Geology/Earth Science, General
- Hydrology and Water Resources Science
- Industrial Engineering
- Information Technology
- Materials Engineering
- Mathematics, General
- Mechanical Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering
- Philosophy
- Physics, General
- Physics, Other
- Pre-Law Studies
- Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies
- Psychology, General
- Science, Technology and Society
- Speech Communication and Rhetoric
- Sustainability Studies
- Visual and Performing Arts, General
- Most Popular Disciplines
- Engineering, Computer and information sciences, Business/marketing, Mathematics and statistics, Engineering technologies
- Combined Liberal Arts/Professional Degree Programs
- Engineering
- Special Programs
- Accelerated program, Cooperative work study program, Student-designed major, Double major, English as a second language, Honors program, Independent study, Internships, Study abroad, Summer session
- Study Abroad
- Offered
- Online Degrees
- Not reported
Curriculum and Graduation Requirements
- General Education/Core Curriculum
- Required for most or all students
- Computer
- Students required to own/lease a computer
- Foreign Language
- Not required
- Math/Science
- Required for all students
Faculty and Instruction
- Full-Time Faculty
- 467
- Part-Time Faculty
- 50
- Full-Time Faculty with Ph.D./Terminal Degree
- 85%
- Regular Class Size
- 2-9 students: 23% of classes
10-19 students: 27% of classes
20-29 students: 16% of classes
30-39 students: 12% of classes
40-49 students: 8% of classes
50-99 students: 10% of classes
Over 100 students: 3% of classes - Discussion Section/Lab Class Size
- Not reported
Advanced Placement
- International Baccalaureate
- Accepted
- Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations
- Accepted for placement and credit
- Sophomore Standing
- Available through AP examinations
Academic Resources
- Library Available on Campus
- Yes
- Holdings
- Computer Ownership
- Students required to own/lease a computer
- Computers Available on Campus
- Not Reported
- Internet/E-mail Access
- Not reported
Academic Support Services
- Remedial Instruction
- Not Offered
- Tutoring
- Available
- Services for Learning Disabled Students
- Available
- Services for Physically Disabled Students
- Hearing impaired services, speech disorders services, visually impaired services, wheelchair access
Graduate/Professional School Education
Master's Degrees Offered
Master of Science, Master of Engineering, Master of Architecture
Master's Programs of Study
- Applied Mathematics
- Architecture
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences--General
- Biomedical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Engineering Physics
- Engineering and Applied Sciences--General
- History of Science and Technology
- Industrial/Management Engineering
- Lighting Design
- Materials Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Systems Engineering
- Technology and Public Policy
Doctoral Degrees Offered
Doctor of Engineering, Doctor of Philosophy
Doctoral Programs of Study
- Art/Fine Arts
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences--General
- Biomedical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Art and Design
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Engineering Physics
- Engineering and Applied Sciences--General
- History of Science and Technology
- Materials Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Systems Engineering
- Technology and Public Policy
Location and Setting
- Troy Population
- 49,974
- Nearest Metropolitan Area
- Albany, NY
- Campus Size
- 284 acres
Weather
- Temperature
- 11 average low in January, 79 average high in September
- Rain
- 171 rainy days per year
Getting Around
- Campus Map
- Map
- Nearest Bus Station
- 15 mile(s) from campus in Albany
- Nearest Train Station
- 6 mile(s) from campus in Rensselaer
Housing
- College Housing
- College offers housing to students
- Types of Housing
- Coed housing, disabled student housing
- Students in College Housing
- 57% of all students
- Housing Requirements
- Freshmen and sophomores are required to live on campus
- Freshman Housing Guarantee
- Freshmen are guaranteed housing
- Students Living Off Campus/Commuting
- 43%
- Off-Campus Housing Assistance
- Assistance in locating off-campus housing is available
Security
- 24-Hour Emergency Phone/Alarm Devices
- Available
- 24-Hour Security Patrols
- Available
- Late-Night Transport/Escort Services
- Available
- Electronically Operated Housing Entrances
- Available
- Other
- campus foot patrols at night
Personal Support Services
- Health Service
- Offered
- Personal Counseling
- Offered
- Child Care
- Not offered
Sports and Recreation
Intercollegiate Athletics
- Athletic Conferences
- NCAA Division III
- Mascot
- Red Hawk
- School Colors
- Cherry and white
Intercollegiate Sports Offered
Sports | Women | Men | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Offered | Scholarships | Offered | Scholarships | |
Baseball | x | |||
Basketball | x | x | ||
Cross-Country Running | x | x | ||
Field Hockey | x | |||
Football | x | |||
Golf | x | |||
Ice Hockey | x | x | x | x |
Lacrosse | x | x | ||
Soccer | x | x | ||
Softball | x | |||
Swimming And Diving | x | x | ||
Tennis | x | x | ||
Track And Field | x | x |
Women's Sports | Offered | Scholarships |
---|---|---|
Baseball | ||
Basketball | x | |
Cross-Country Running | x | |
Field Hockey | x | |
Football | ||
Golf | ||
Ice Hockey | x | x |
Lacrosse | x | |
Soccer | x | |
Softball | x | |
Swimming And Diving | x | |
Tennis | x | |
Track And Field | x |
Mens's Sports | Offered | Scholarships |
---|---|---|
Baseball | x | |
Basketball | x | |
Cross-Country Running | x | |
Field Hockey | ||
Football | x | |
Golf | x | |
Ice Hockey | x | x |
Lacrosse | x | |
Soccer | x | |
Softball | ||
Swimming And Diving | x | |
Tennis | x | |
Track And Field | x |
- Women's Club Sports
- archery, badminton, baseball, crew, equestrian sports, fencing, racquetball, riflery, rugby, sailing, skiing (cross-country), squash, table tennis, ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, water polo, weight lifting
- Men's Club Sports
- archery, badminton, crew, equestrian sports, fencing, racquetball, riflery, rugby, sailing, skiing (cross-country), squash, table tennis, ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, water polo, weight lifting
Recreational Sports
- Intramural Sports
- basketball, cheerleading, ice hockey, racquetball, skiing (downhill), soccer, softball, table tennis, ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, wrestling
Student Activities
- Activities and Organizations
- choral groups, drama theatre, radio station, student newspaper, television station, national fraternities, national sororities, red army spirit club, outing club, indian student association, chinese american student association, pep band
- Sororities
- 16% of women participate
- Fraternities
- 21% of men participate
- ROTC
- Army ROTC offered on campus, Navy ROTC is offered on campus, Air Force ROTC offered on campus
Student Body
- Coeducational
- Yes
- All Undergraduates
- 6,366
- Women
- 2,041 (32.1%)
- Men
- 4,325 (67.9%)
- Full-Time Undergraduates
- 6,340
- Ethnicity of Students from U.S.
- 0.1% American Indian/Alaskan Native
13.7% Asian
4.6% Black/African-American
10.4% Hispanic/Latino
7.8% Multi-race (not Hispanic/Latino)
0.0% Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander
61.8% White
1.6% Unknown - International Students.
- 13.6% from 39 countries
- Average Age
- 20
- All Graduate Students
- 1,267
Undergraduate Retention and Graduation
- First-Year Students Returning
- 93.0%
- Students Graduating Within 4 Years
- 61.0%
- Students Graduating Within 5 Years
- 81.2%
- Students Graduating Within 6 Years
- 83.0%
After Graduation
- Graduates Offered Full-Time Employment Within 6 Months
- 63%
- Average Starting Salary
- 63%
- Graduates Pursuing Advanced Study Directly
- 24.0%
- Disciplines Pursued
- Business 3%
Engineering 10%
Law 1%
Theology 1%
Arts and Sciences 4%
Medicine 2%
Education 1%
Other 2%
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